Trump tells Cuba to ‘make a deal, before it is too late’
The communist-run island near Florida has been a US foe and ally of Caracas for decades, but Trump has ramped...
Geostrategy
Some food preservatives linked to higher cancer, diabetes risk
Paris, France -- Eating some common food preservatives is linked to a slightly higher risk of eventually developing cancer and...
Research
Geostrategy
Stocks hit by Iran-Israel fears, containment hopes stem losses
Saturday's bombardment of more than 300 ballistic and cruise missiles and attack drones -- which were mostly repelled by air...
- Asian markets mostly fell Monday, though they pared their initial big losses. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney, Wellington, Singapore, Mumbai, Taipei and Manila were all in the red
- With worries about an escalation subsiding for now, oil prices dipped, though observers warned they could spike back above $100 if the crisis worsens.
Business
After long peace, Big Tech faces US antitrust reckoning
Launched under both the Trump and Biden administrations, five major cases from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department...
- The most recent came in March against Apple by the FTC, which alleges the iPhone maker abuses its dominance of the premium smartphone sector.
- Washington had largely remained silent on Big Tech cases since its wars with Microsoft that began in the 1990s and ended in a settlement in the early 2000s.
Geostrategy
US troops head to region as fears grow of Gaza war’s spread
Fears of regional escalation grew after a strike on Iran's consular annex at its embassy in Damascus. Tehran blames the...
- Airlines said they are avoiding Iranian airspace, nearly two weeks after a strike, which Iran blamed on Israel, destroyed Tehran's consular annex at its embassy in Damascus.
- Tensions have also flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where settler attacks left at least one Palestinian dead and dozens injured.
Business
Saudi imposes anti-dumping duties on products from 10 countries
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has imposed anti-dumping duties on seven products imported from 10 European and Asian countries,...
- The products included all types of cement, including clinker, from all Iranian companies, with a dumping duty of 67.5 percent.
- The superabsorbent polymer products were also subject to anti-dumping measures on Saudi imports from five countries for five years.
Geostrategy
IMF confirms Kristalina Georgieva for second five-year term
It means that Georgieva, who was the sole candidate in the running to lead the International Monetary Fund, will continue...
- Georgieva, a 70-year-old Bulgarian, has run the IMF since 2019, and told AFP last month that she was making herself "available to serve, if people want me to serve."
- Under a controversial, decades-old agreement between Europe and the United States, the International Monetary Fund has historically been led by a European.
Business
Middle East tensions weigh on markets as oil and gold prices shoot up
London, United Kingdom -- Wall Street stocks slid on Friday despite banks beating expectations at the start of earnings season as...
- Oil prices were up more than two percent as regional tensions soared after Iran threatened reprisals over a strike in Syria.
- Gold also benefitted from its status as a haven investment, breaking the $2,400 per ounce level.
Geostrategy
IEA lowers its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024
According to the IEA, oil demand growth in Q1 2024 was lower than expected at 1.6 mln bpd, and the...
- The IEA emphasized that decreasing global oil demand growth indicates consumption will peak in the current decade.
- Despite the anticipated decline, however, the current rate of oil demand growth is largely similar to the trend prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business
JPMorgan Chase profits up 6%
The bank's CEO warns about risk of persistent inflation.
- Profits were $13.4 billion, up six percent from the year-ago period, boosted by higher net interest income.
- The bank expects the boost from higher interest rates on profits to erode or "normalize" over time.
Business
Most equity markets fall as US inflation data dims rate cut hopes
The losses tracked a sell-off on Wall Street and saw the dollar strike a 34-year high against the yen, fueling...
- The disappointing data sent all three main indexes on Wall Street deep into the red. Asia followed suit in the morning but some bounced into positive territory as the day wore on.
- Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, Bangkok and Manila slipped, while Shanghai and Seoul edged up.
Business
Uniqlo upgrades net profit forecast
It now expects to make $2.1bn in the year to August.
- It also sees full-year operating profit of 450 billion yen on sales of 3.03 trillion yen, both of which would also be record figures if realized.
- Its low-cost GU clothing brand has been another key driver of the retail group's expansion, Fast Retailing added.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Trump tells Cuba to ‘make a deal, before it is too late’
The communist-run island near Florida has been a US foe and ally of Caracas for decades, but Trump has ramped...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Saudi PIF’s assets up by $11.44bn by the end of third quarter 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The value of assets under Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) assets—both...
Business
Maysa Sabreen made first woman chief of Syrian central bank
Damascus, Syria -- Syrian authorities have appointed Maysa Sabreen as interim central bank governor, a bank official told AFP on Tuesday,...
Economy
Most Read
Business
Key healthcare digital trends to watch in 2025
From AI-powered content creation to automated feedback systems, technology is streamlining operations and improving patient care.
- One of the most notable shifts is the growing ability to harness patient data responsibly for tailored marketing and engagement.
- Reputation management is taking center stage as well, with automated systems streamlining the collection of patient feedback and testimonials.
Economy
UAE real GDP grows by 3.6% in first half of 2024, says economy minister
Non-oil sectors' contribution to GDP reaches 75%. Economy minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says the growth reflects the dynamic...
- The Minister said that the robust growth of non-oil sectors during the first half of 2024 reflects the dynamic nature of the UAE's economy.
- Transportation and storage activities led economic growth in the first half of 2024, with an impressive 8.4 percent growth rate.
Business
Cambridge study warns of perils in AI-driven ‘intention economy’
London, United Kingdom -- Conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tools may soon "covertly influence" users' decision making in a new commercial frontier...
- The marketplace emerging for "digital signals of intent" could, in the near future, influence everything from buying movie tickets to voting for political candidates.
- Our increasing familiarity with chatbots, digital tutors and other so-called "anthropomorphic" AI agents is helping enable this new array of "persuasive technologies".