Iran escalation sharpens oil, inflation concerns
Lale Akoner, Global Market Analyst, says while the escalation has introduced new risks, the broader investment case for equities in...
Geostrategy
The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and...
Economy
Science
Apple to lower iPhone 12 radio power across EU
Paris, France - Apple will update software on iPhone 12 handsets across the EU to lower the power of their...
- The software update, scheduled "in the coming weeks" across the EU, is in line with a 2023 change made to the phones in France based on testing by ANFR radio frequency authority
- "We continue to disagree with the French ANFR's testing approach, (but) respect the European Commission's decision," Apple said in a statement
Business
Chinese cluster now world’s top innovation hotspot: UN
Geneva, Switzerland -- Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou has overtaken Tokyo-Yokohama to become the world's top cluster for innovation, the United Nations said...
- The UN's World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said the Chinese cluster had leapfrogged its Japanese rival in its 2025 Global Innovation Index.
- The change at the top of the world's 100 leading innovation clusters was down to WIPO broadening the criteria to include VC investments to formulate the annual rankings.
Economy
From entertainment to economics: GCC govts make room for creators in their national vision plans
In Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, digital content creation is a key pillar of economic transformation, and Qatar National Vision 2030...
- The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have seen a big boom in the emergence of bloggers, influencers, and content creators who are gaining a substantial following
- The Gulf region - home to a predominantly young population, with over 50% being under the age of 25 in 2021 - has 90% smartphone penetration
Economy
China manufacturing shrinks in August despite new US trade truce
Beijing, China -- China's factory output ticked up in August but still recorded a fifth straight month of contraction, official...
- The Purchasing Managers' Index -- a key measure of industrial output -- was 49.4, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said, up slightly from 49.3 in July.
- The last time China recorded a figure above 50 -- indicating growth -- was in March.
Business
UAE continues to attract major global companies for new headquarters
Dubai, UAE -- The United Arab Emirates has continued to attract global companies looking to establish regional or global headquarters....
- This trend is supported by the country's legislative and digital infrastructure, as well as its strategic location.
- A report from the Kearney Foundation ranked the UAE second among emerging markets in its "FDI Confidence Index 2025."
Economy
How Viet Nam’s informal waste workers are leading the plastic pollution fight
Behind nearly 90% of all plastic recycled in Viet Nam is someone like Ms Nguyen Thi Kenh or Ms Nguyen...
- In the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, nearly 10,000 women collect plastics for recycling, part of an army of informal waste workers
- Viet Nam accounts for 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with about 27% of that recycled, making the country a potential leader in tackling the problem
Economy
Fed governor calls for rate cut at September policy meeting
A governor of the US Federal Reserve, Christopher Waller, said Thursday that the central bank should lower its key interest...
- US Federal Reserve, Christopher Waller enthusiasm echoes President Donald Trump's eagerness to cut the rate that is central to US banking and borrowing
- For months the Republican president has called for the cut repeatedly, despite resistance from current Fed chairman Jerome Powell
Economy
Saudi Bank credit grows by over 116 billion in one year by June 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Bank credit extended to the public and private sectors in the Kingdom continued its upward trend,...
- The total bank credit also recorded a quarterly growth of 2.7% by the end of the second quarter of the current year
- Every month, bank credit rose by 0.6% with an increase of USD 4.99 billion (SAR 18,713 million) compared with May 2025, when it stood at USD 844.68 billion (SAR 3,167,558 million)
Economy
25 countries suspend postal services to United States over tariffs: UN
The Trump administration said late last month that it will abolish a tax exemption on small packages entering the United...
- The move has sparked a flurry of announcements from postal services, including in France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia and Japan.
- The United Nations' Universal Postal Union said he suspensions will remain in place until there is more clarity on how US authorities plan to implement the announced measures.
Economy
Saudi non-oil exports increase by 17.8 percent in second quarter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rose by 17.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025, according to...
- The increase included a 46.2 percent rise in re-exports, while national non-oil exports excluding re-exports grew by 5.6 percent.
- In Q2 2025, a 15.8 percent decline in oil exports dragged total merchandise exports down by 7.3 percent year-on-year.
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Iran escalation sharpens oil, inflation concerns
Lale Akoner, Global Market Analyst, says while the escalation has introduced new risks, the broader investment case for equities in...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Oil prices gain, as equities extend record run higher
Oil prices have experienced choppy trading since the surprise US raid Saturday on Caracas that saw Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro...
Business
Global economy set for “sturdy growth” in 2026, MENA growth to outpace global economy
The Middle East and North Africa region is expected to outperform the global economy in 2026, with GDP projected to...
Economy
SoftBank lifts OpenAI stake to 11% with $41bln investment
Tokyo, Japan -- Japanese tech investor SoftBank said Wednesday that its stake in OpenAI is now around 11 percent after...
Business
Most Read
Economy
Prone to conflict, displacement, climate shocks, investing in cities is a strategy for global stability
Addressing fragility in cities is, therefore, not only a social imperative; it is also a crucial economic consideration. It is...
- Conflict, displacement and climate shocks converge in cities, threatening global stability
- Stable urban systems unlock private sector confidence, strengthen security and create shared prosperity
Economy
China says to launch digital currency action plan
Beijing, China -- China will on January 1 launch an "action plan" for boosting management and operations of its digital...
- The "action plan" will see banks pay interest on balances held by clients in digital yuan -- a move to incentivize broader adoption of the currency.
- The plan also includes a proposal to establish an international digital yuan operations centre in the eastern financial hub of Shanghai, the report said.
Economy
Web Summit Qatar 2026: Doha’s Bid to Become the Next Tech Hub
Early signals hint that Web Summit Qatar 2026 will be its biggest edition yet, with participation expected to outpace the...
- Qatar’s rising ambition to become a global tech hub, high digital adoption, and fast-growing startup support ecosystem has made it the summit’s natural destination
- GCO and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) have reinforced that ambition with a series of long-term national programs designed to attract entrepreneurs and global firms