Global economy stabilizes as fiscal room narrows, WEF says
World Economic Forum survey finds improving global outlook, but tighter fiscal space, geopolitical risks, AI investment uncertainty and living costs...
Expo 2020 DUBAI
Cyber resilience is more than recovering from an attack
The question is no longer if an organization will experience a cyber incident. It is how well it will respond...
Opinion
Economy
US Fed set for first rate cut of 2025 as Trump pressure looms
The US Federal Reserve is poised to make its first interest rate cut of 2025 on Wednesday, but it battles...
- There is little doubt that the US central bank will lower rates at the end of its two-day policy meeting, and markets widely expect a 25 basis points reduction
- Typically, the Fed might be inclined to keep rates at a higher level to bring inflation back to its two-percent target -- or slash rates to support a weakening labor market
Economy
Asian markets rise as traders prepare for expected US rate cut
Asian stocks rose again Tuesday to extend another record day on Wall Street as traders locked in bets on a...
- While the outcome of the Federal Reserve's policy decision Wednesday is considered a fait accompli, there is still a lot of discussion over its plans for future meetings
- Bank boss Jerome Powell's post-meeting comments will also be pored over for an idea about decision-makers' thinking as the US jobs market slows
Economy
US Fed poised for first rate cut of 2025 as political tension mounts
The Fed's likely move would follow a monthslong push from President Donald Trump to slash rates, and comes amid growing...
- Since the bank's last reduction in December, it has held interest rates at a range between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent as policymakers monitor the effects of Trump's sweeping tar
- Analysts now broadly expect a 25 basis points rate cut at the end of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, as hiring slows.
Economy
Turkey cuts interest rate again as inflation eases
Turkey's central bank on Thursday cut its policy interest rate for a second meeting in a row as the country's...
- Turkey's central bank had raised its key interest rate to 46 percent in April after protests over the jailing of Istanbul's powerful opposition mayor
- The bank decided to reduce it again on Thursday to 40.5 percent -- a bigger cut than the two-percentage-point reduction expected by analysts
Economy
Global oil supply hit record high in August: IEA
Paris, France -- Global oil supply hit a record high in August as OPEC+ and other countries ramped up production,...
- Eight key members of OPEC+ group, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have been gradually increasing production since April after restricting output in recent years.
- Non-OPEC+ nations have also been raising their output, with the IEA saying production from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Guyana and Argentina was "at or near all-time highs".
Business
Stock markets strike records despite geopolitical unrest
Gains for oil prices were relatively modest, while gas futures were unmoved after Israel's strikes Tuesday against Hamas in gas-rich...
- Wall Street had notched fresh highs Tuesday as markets digested weak US jobs data that added to expectations that the Fed will lower US interest rates at their next meeting.
- Tokyo's stock market ended at an all-time high, as did Seoul where traders were hopeful the government will not implement plans to lower the capital gains tax threshold for stocks.
Geostrategy
Europe hyperloop test hits new speed record in Dutch trial
The Hague, Netherlands -- A Dutch tech startup said Wednesday it had set a European speed record for its futuristic...
- Hardt Hyperloop said its vehicle had reached 85 kph at the 420 meter European Hyperloop Center test track in the Netherlands and had carried out a complex lane switching test.
- It said the lane switching maneuver -- essential for networked routes -- showed there were no technical barriers to operating at aircraft-like speeds.
Science
MBZUAI, G42 launch K2 Think: Leading open-source system for advanced AI reasoning
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Institute of Foundation Models at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and G42...
- K2 Think embodies a new approach to building smarter, more efficient AI, as with just 32 billion parameters, it outperforms flagship reasoning models that are 20X larger.
- This breakthrough in parameter efficiency makes K2 Think a powerful alternative for advanced reasoning, redefining what is possible with compact architectures
Business
Stocks climb eyeing US rate cut, political turbulence
A steep downward revision to US job creation cemented expectations that the Federal Reserve would begin lowering its benchmark rate...
- US employment growth is likely to be revised down by 911,000 for the 12 months ending in March, official data showed.
- Investors are now looking to consumer inflation data coming Thursday, since a hot reading could keep the Fed from cutting further as it looks to curb price increases.
Economy
Saudi launches Damascus area reconstruction project
Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday humanitarian projects for Syria including the removal of wartime rubble around Damascus, weeks after inking...
- The oil-rich Gulf kingdom has been a major backer of the new Syrian government, which came to power after an Islamist-led offensive toppled longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad
- Other agreements inked on Sunday would see Riyadh support the reconstruction of 34 schools in Syria's Aleppo, Idlib and Homs provinces
Global economy stabilizes as fiscal room narrows, WEF says
World Economic Forum survey finds improving global outlook, but tighter fiscal space, geopolitical risks, AI investment uncertainty and living costs...
Expo 2020 DUBAI
Company News
Latest News
Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Opening statements in the first trial began in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where Instagram parent company Meta and Google’s...
Geostrategy
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
Gulf sovereign wealth funds face a strategic test amid escalating conflict
The escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is emerging as a major test for the Gulf’s sovereign...
Economy
Most Read
MENA’s next tech breakthrough depends on infrastructure, not hype
Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-founder of AHOY and co-founder of Actual VC, speaks to TRENDS about risk, capital efficiency, and...
- In MENA, scalable startups must prioritise execution, defensibility and real traction over hype, Jamil Shinawi told TRENDS
- The real opportunity lies in AI-driven systems that turn data into instant, cross-sector impact, he adds
Interview
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
- Snap expects future growth in MENA and APAC to come from deeper community engagement and rising advertiser demand.
- Startups in the GCC use Snapchat to reach local audiences quickly through mobile-first storytelling and creator partnerships.
Economy
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...
- The GCC is capital-rich, yet late-stage venture funding remains structurally limited
- Early-stage activity is strong, but a clear Series A–C financing gap persists