News

  ABU DHABI / WAM The central banks of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain have decided to raise their interest rates, tracking a hike in the US Fed’s benchmark rate. The move came as the US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to a range of 3.00%-3.25% on Wednesday- the biggest increase …

Bloomberg President Joe Biden said he warned Chinese President Xi Jinping it would be a “gigantic mistake” to violate sanctions imposed on Russia, but that there’s been no indication that Beijing has provided weapons to Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Biden, according to excerpts from an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” airing Sunday, said he spoke with Xi shortly …

  JEDDAH / WAM The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the discovery of new sites for gold and copper ore deposits in the Madinah region. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Saudi Geological Survey, represented by the Survey and Mineral Exploration Centre, said that the discoveries of gold ore were within the boundaries of Aba Al-Raha, the shield …

  Bloomberg Oil edged higher in uneven trading, remaining within a narrow price band as traders weighed a souring US economic outlook against risks of supply disruptions from Russia. West Texas Intermediate futures traded near $86 a barrel, struggling to hold onto gains while under pressure from equity markets. Equities slid as Fedex Corp. withdrew an earnings forecast, in what …

  South Korea / WAM South Korea wants to strengthen its relations with the Middle East with a focus on high-tech industries, according to Seoul’s top diplomat. “In the Middle East, we hope to deepen cooperation in high-tech industries,” said Park Jin, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, while hosting a dinner for invited guests, during Jeju Forum for …

  Bloomberg The global economy may face a recession next year caused by an aggressive wave of policy tightening that could yet prove inadequate to temper inflation, the World Bank said in a new report. Policy makers around the world are rolling back monetary and fiscal support at a degree of synchronization not seen in half a century, according to …

Bloomberg Oil mustered a late comeback after dropping to six-month lows this week as a softer dollar bolstered trader demand across assets. West Texas Intermediate settled above $86 a barrel, finishing a tumultuous week nearly flat with the prior seven days. At the start of the week both benchmarks, WTI and Brent, slipped to lows not seen since the start …

BALMORAL / WAM Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday, Reuters reported. With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.

  GENEVA / WAM The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for July showing that the recovery in air travel continues to be strong. Total traffic in July (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 58.8 percent compared to July 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.6 percent of pre-crisis levels. Domestic traffic for July 2022 …

  Abu Dhabi / WAM Borouge, a leading petrochemical company providing innovative and differentiated solutions, continues to strengthen its existing value-chain partnerships through several new opportunities in Egypt – a strategic market where the company has long-standing ties. Borouge has contributed to shaping country’s most prominent projects, which are driving demand for energy, infrastructure, and agriculture solutions. In 2020, Borouge …