Gazans fear renewed displacement after Israeli strikes
Residents say the strikes have targeted neighborhoods east of the so-called Yellow Line -- a demarcation established under the truce...
Geostrategy
China’s smaller manufacturers look to catch the automation wave
Yancheng, China -- In a light-filled workshop in eastern China, a robotic arm moved a partially assembled autonomous vehicle as workers...
Geostrategy
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.
Business
ByteDance profits jump 60%
Sales also grew to nearly $120 billion from $80 billion.
- ByteDance has grown into one of the world's biggest tech firms -- best known in most countries as the creator of video app TikTok -- since its birth in a Beijing apartment 12 years
- A privately held firm, ByteDance does not release revenue and profit figures but media estimates of its earnings put it on par with some of the biggest firms in the world.
Geostrategy
WTO eyes global trade rebound in 2024 but warns of risks
Geneva, Switzerland -- The World Trade Organization said Wednesday that global trade should rebound this year from an unexpected slump in...
- In its annual trade forecast, the WTO disclosed that world trade volumes unexpectedly declined by 1.2 percent in 2023.
- WTO has also warned of worrying signs of growing protectionist behaviour by some countries, although it refuses to name them.
Business
Germany shares observations on Qatar hosting Autonomous e-Mobility Forum
In its efforts toward sustainable transportation, the German embassy is the first diplomatic representation in Doha to utilize an electric...
- The diplomats shared their observations and views on Qatar’s trajectory as a hub for dialogue and the potential of autonomous e-mobility moving forward
- The German embassy is indeed the first diplomatic representation in Doha to utilize an electric vehicle as a staff car
Geostrategy
BP issues upbeat Q1 outlook
The energy major's share price gained almost 2 percent.
- Gas sales are "expected to be strong" after a solid performance in the fourth quarter of 2023.
- Oil sales have regained strength after a weak performance in the prior period.
Geostrategy
Turkey imposes trade restrictions on Israel over Gaza war
The new measures come a day after Turkey said Israel had blocked its attempt to airdrop aid to Gaza. "This...
- Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday vowed reprisals against Israel for blocking Turkey's air force from airdropping aid to Gaza.
- Turkey is one of the harshest critics of Israel's war on Gaza, with Erdogan branding Israel a "terrorist state". It attached a list of 54 products subject to export restrictions.
Economy
UN food organization raises forecast for world cereal production
Rome, Italy -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a new Cereal Supply and...
- FAO forecast for world cereal production in 2023/24 to 2.841 billion tons, reflecting expectations of greater outputs of maize, rice and wheat.
- FAO also adjusted its forecast for global wheat production in 2024, now standing at 796 million tons, marking a 1.0 percent increase from 2023.
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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
Gazans fear renewed displacement after Israeli strikes
Residents say the strikes have targeted neighborhoods east of the so-called Yellow Line -- a demarcation established under the truce...
Geostrategy
Company News
ADNOC signs deal with PETRONAS
Business
Latest News
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...
Business
20-day-old baby Jumaa al-Batran dies from ‘severe cold’ in Gaza
Marwan al-Hamas, head of field hospitals in Gaza, confirmed the death. He said it brought to five the total number...
Geostrategy
Egypt tests Suez Canal extension aimed at boosting vessel capacity
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt has tested a new 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) extension to the Suez Canal as it tries to minimize the...
Business
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Geostrategy
Israeli raid puts last major Gaza health facility out of service: WHO
The World Health Organization said the operation had put the "last major health facility in north Gaza out of service"....
- The WHO said 60 health workers and 25 patients in critical condition, including some on ventilators, reportedly remained in Kamal Adwan Hospital.
- Patients in less severe condition were forced to evacuate to the destroyed, non-functioning Indonesian Hospital, the UN health agency said.
Business
Move over Mercedes: Chinese cars grab Mexican market share
Mexico City, Mexico -- The growing popularity of Chinese sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks has shaken up Mexico's luxury car...
- Mexicans are increasingly switching from traditionally dominant sedans to Chinese vehicles due to a combination of comfort, technology and price.
- It is no small feat in a country home to factories of foreign brands such as Audi and BMW, and where until a few years ago imported Chinese cars were stigmatized.
Business
Global stocks rise as Japan led Asia gains on a weaker yen
Seoul was an outlier in Asia with shares plunging as South Korea's political crisis deepened with a second impeachment vote....
- Japan's Nikkei index closed up nearly two percent, with the yen's recent weakness proving a boon for major exporters.
- In Europe, Frankfurt's DAX index rose after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament on Friday and confirmed the expected date for the early general election