Lisbon / AFP Traditionally a country of emigration, Portugal has offered to take up to 10,000 migrants from countries struggling to cope with the influx, to help maintain its own population. Portugal’s socialist premier Antonio Costa last week sent letters to Austria, Greece, Italy and Sweden—countries that have seen refugees arrive in large numbers—offering to welcome up to 5,800 more …

Bloomberg The US called off nascent talks with North Korea aimed at formally ending the Korean War when it became clear that the reclusive nation wasn’t interested in stopping its nuclear program by conducting a ballistic missile test. The talks, which Pyongyang requested according to the US, ended after North Korea rebuffed a US demand that denuclearization be a condition …

Bloomberg Not since Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Verster prison 26 years ago have investors been gloomier about South Africa’s economy. Money is pouring out at a record pace as inflows dwindle. The rand has plunged and unemployment is the highest among almost 40 developing nations tracked by Bloomberg. Drought is driving up food costs. Hanging in the balance …

When Kazakhstan bid to host the 2017 EXPO in its capital Astana, it must have surprised many observers. It was not just that no country from the former Soviet Union had yet to host EXPO, but the theme we chose was future energy. After all, Kazakhstan is one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers. Promoting new energy sources …

Last week, global equity investors got a much-needed reprieve from volatile, loss-inflicting markets. But rather than signaling the start of a calmer market phase, this may well prove a prelude to renewed volatility in the weeks ahead. After ending the last trading session of the previous week with a gain, global stocks got off to a good start last Monday. …

China’s overseas investment has long worried Western observers. From the constant updates on the soon-to-be operational Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), to the rather more nebulous One Belt One Road initiative, China’s trade and economic influence is spreading on multiple fronts. This has fed into broader anxieties in the West, who feel that important allies and opportunities are slipping into …

Hong Kong / AFP Asian shares swept higher on Monday, with Shanghai leading the charge after China replaced its securities regulator, while a rise in oil prices cheered investors across the region. Equities extended last week’s sharp rally, notching gains almost across the board after news that Russia and Saudi Arabia may freeze production sent crude higher. Chinese shares closed …

ABU DHABI / EMIRATES BUSINESS The Emirates Securities Market Index has increased by 1.90% to close at 4283.99 points. Accordingly the Market Capitalization has gained AED12.95 Billion attaining AED694.92 Billion. A total of 1.18 Billion Shares were traded with a total value of AED1.32 Billion during the trading session of 2016-02-22 through 12755 transactions. The number of companies which has been traded …

Tokyo / AFP Tokyo stocks shrugged off early losses on Monday morning as a weakening yen gave a lift to exporters and oil prices rebounded, after the market’s biggest weekly rise in six years. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell at the opening bell, tracking a dip on US and European markets Friday, as uncertainty hung over world oil output. …

Bloomberg Private air travel is getting the Uber treatment with some of the industry’s biggest customers investing $26.1 million in a company that lets users book private jets from a smartphone. Most private aircraft aren’t used that much, JetSmarter founder Sergey Petrossov, a Russia-born Florida resident, said in an interview. They either stand idled at airports or are flying empty …