Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds
The main international and US oil contracts briefly bounced off their lows as Israel and Iran accused each other of...
Geostrategy
US Fed keeps interest rates unchanged in face of Trump criticism
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters the central bank would make better decisions if it waited a few months to...
Economy
Advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the energy transition
New policies, public trust, and partnerships are crucial to accelerating these nuclear solutions. Platforms like the Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions...
- Nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance but concerns around safety and cost remain
- Advanced nuclear technologies can help address these concerns but some are only in the early stages of realization
GCC powers ahead in global clean energy transition with solar and hydrogen investments
Now, the region is turning its attention to newer innovations, including hydrogen production, small modular reactors (SMRs), and compact nuclear...
- The approach is to combine gas-based and power-based low-carbon technologies, creating a balanced energy portfolio that capitalizes on each solution's unique strengths
- This strategy ensures a more sustainable energy future that aligns with global climate commitments and contributes to the GCC’s economic diversification goals
Saudi Arabia appoints new CEO to drive NEOM’s mega-city project forward
In a big move, Saudi Arabia appoints Aiman al-Mudaifer as NEOM’s interim CEO, a strategic choice to advance the futuristic...
- The company said that Mudaifer brought with him a "deep and strategic understanding of NEOM" after serving as head of a property arm of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund since 2018
- NEOM is a planned futuristic megacity in northwestern Saudi Arabia meant to feature a ski resort and twin skyscrapers 170 kilometres (105 miles) long
Economy
World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing
Dozens of world leaders convene in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for COP29 but many big names are skipping the UN climate...
- Heads of some of the most powerful and polluting economies are not attending
- Top priority at COP29 is boosting funding for climate action in developing countries
Economy
COP29 opens with Trump climate withdrawal looming
he COP29 climate talks open Monday in Azerbaijan, under the long shadow cast by Donald Trump's re-election. Trump has pledged...
- Fears of an imminent US departure from the landmark Paris Agreement
- US$100 billion-a-year target to help developing nations prepare for worsening climate impacts
Economy
UAE stablecoin usage up 55% yoy as new regulations drive market momentum
Stablecoins account for the largest share of crypto activity in the UAE (51%), which stands significantly higher than both Bitcoin...
- Value of stablecoins received by services in the country totaled over US$9.8 billion
- between July 2023 to June 2024, just 47 percent of overall crypto transactions took place on centralized exchanges
Economy
Low carbon investments in arrears of climate needs
Upstream investments in the oil and gas industry are still healthy and dwarf those made in low carbon projects and...
- Countries are turning towards renewables such as solar PV and wind following a 40 percent drop in their costs
- The global upstream industry is projected to maintain its hydrocarbon investment level of about US$580 billion in 2024
Economy
Most Asian markets rise ahead of toss-up US election
Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday a day before results from the US presidential election rolled in, with opinion polls showing...
- Uncertainty about the outcome led to warnings that investors could be in for a period of volatility
- Wall Street's three main indexes ended in the red
Economy
Eight OPEC+ members extend oil supply cuts until year end
Supply cuts seek boosting oil prices amid uncertain demand and accelerating supply, with an eye on the imminent US presidential...
- Persistent downside pressure on oil prices due to sluggish Chinese and weakening global demand outlook
- "The US presidential election will have a significant impact on the oil market"- Analyst with Rystad Energy
Economy
Expected impact of the U.S. election on business
35 percent of CEOs worldwide identify #inflation as the most critical #economic issue facing their countries, followed by boosting #consumer...
- The majority of CEOs (77 percent) say the U.S. presidential election will impact their 2025 business strategy
- Nearly 80 percent of global CEOs describe the current investment environment in the Gulf as very or somewhat attractive
Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds
The main international and US oil contracts briefly bounced off their lows as Israel and Iran accused each other of...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
‘Bombshell’ OPEC+ output hike hits oil price
Oil prices slumped on Monday after eight OPEC+ members announced a sharp increase in production, while Asian stocks treaded water...
Economy
Global rice output in 2024/25 likely to expand by 1.5%: FAO
Rome, Italy -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a new Cereal Supply and Demand...
Geostrategy
Warren Buffett says will retire from Berkshire Hathaway by year’s end
Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a medium-sized textile company when he bought it in the 1960s into a giant conglomerate,
Economy
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Economy
Trump’s next 100 days: Now comes the hard part
In a dizzying first three months, Trump wielded executive power like no other modern president, signing more than 140 orders...
- The job gets trickier now for the self-styled dealmaker-in-chief, who must corral fractious Republicans on Capitol Hill to anchor his domestic policies in legislation
- Trump's political capital will be put to the test as he aims to shepherd his sprawling agenda on tax, border security and energy production through the House and Senate
Economy
Massive GCC infrastructure investments set stage for rising foreign equity: Franklin Templeton
The Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity outlook emphasizes how GCC countries have reduced their dependence on oil and gas, opened...
- The FTEME outlook emphasizes how GCC countries have reduced their dependence on oil and gas, opened their capital markets, and diversified their economies
- The report highlights a striking decline in the equity risk premium (ERP) in the GCC — from 6.6% in 2016 to 2.4% by March 2025
Economy
Apple expects $900 million hit from tariff war
Apple on Thursday reported first-quarter profit above expectations but warned that US tariffs could cost the company and were disrupting...
- Cook said he expected "a majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin."
- Tit-for-tat exchanges have seen hefty US levies imposed on China, with Beijing setting retaliatory barriers on US imports