News
Business
– Botswana’s diamond production has risen 14% this year, helping the economy recover from a two-year slump, as the government raised its 2026 growth forecast to 3.8%. The Ministry of Finance had initially forecast growth of 3.1%. Output reached 15.1
– Spot gold hit a two-week high on Thursday, extending a sharp rally as the US dollar and Treasury yields eased after Democrats made major gains in the US midterm elections. Gold rose 1.9% to $4,134.83 an ounce in Asian
– Strong non-oil and gas exports helped Indonesia post a trade surplus of $10.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday. The non-oil and gas sector produced a $34.21 billion surplus between January
– South Africa’s FirstRand, the second-largest lender in Africa, has joined a growing list of continental banks seeking to buy into Kenya’s banking industry. Half of Africa’s top 20 banks are building a multi-billion-shilling war chest for the market. They
– South Korea’s monthly exports reached a record $115.3 billion in October, up 93.7% from a year earlier, as semiconductor sales surged. Data released on Sunday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources showed chip exports alone soaring 259%
Business
– Strong non-oil and gas exports helped Indonesia post a trade surplus of $10.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday. The non-oil and gas sector produced a $34.21 billion surplus between January
– Egypt received a record $33.9 billion in remittances from citizens working abroad during the first eight months of 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt said on Tuesday, October 13, that inflows rose 27.2% from $26.6 billion a year earlier.
– Oman’s electricity production increased 4.3% year on year during the first eight months of 2026. Total output reached 37,481.8 gigawatt-hours, compared with 35,935.3 GWh in the same period of 2025. The increase amounted to about 1,546.5 GWh. Preliminary figures
– Indonesia recorded Rp131.1 trillion, about $7.33 billion, in foreign capital inflows through early October 2026. Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara presented the figure during the government’s latest state budget briefing in Jakarta. Most foreign investment moved into government bonds and
– The African Union has formally launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, known as AfCRA, in Mauritius. The agency will provide credit assessments for African sovereigns, companies, financial institutions and other issuers. Its launch took place in Port Louis during
– Pakistan’s federal state-owned enterprises held about $36.5 billion in debt at the end of December 2025. The total increased 14.3% from a year earlier, adding roughly $4.7 billion at current exchange rates. Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance reported the figures
– India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting the United States for trade talks and a G20 ministerial meeting. The G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting is taking place in Milwaukee on September 30 and October 1. Goyal’s U.S. schedule
– UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Abu Dhabi on September 29. Their talks focused on trade, investment, renewable energy and infrastructure cooperation. The leaders also reviewed negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic
– Abu Dhabi recorded the largest progress globally in the 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index published by real estate services firm JLL. According to survey details released by government regulatory authorities, the UAE capital advanced eight spots to 33rd
Technology
Middle East and Africa Private Market Place (MEAPMP) today announced the commercial launch of its revamped independent supply-side platform (SSP) and curated media marketplace, connecting enterprise media buyers and agencies directly with premium regional inventory across 73 countries. Operating from
German luxury sports car manufacturer Porsche announced an agreement with labor representatives on Monday to reduce its workforce by an additional 5,000 positions by 2035 as part of a restructuring program. The decision brings total planned job eliminations across the
Japan’s new car sales rose 1.8% in the first half of 2026, marking a second straight first-half gain for the domestic auto market. Automakers sold 2,387,189 new vehicles from January through June, including minivehicles. The increase followed a stronger second
Porsche has presented a one-off 911 GT3 RS created through its Sonderwunsch programme, combining the track-focused sports car with a bespoke design treatment inspired by haute couture. The vehicle is finished in Macadamiametallic from the Paint to Sample range and
MENA Newswire, DETROIT: Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 119,000 vehicles in the United States after federal safety regulators said a defect in certain engine block heaters can raise the risk of an under-hood fire when the heater is plugged in. The recall
BRUSSELS, December 17, 2025: The European Union is set to ease its planned 2035 ban on the sale of new combustion engine vehicles after sustained pressure from automakers and several member states, marking a significant policy adjustment in the bloc’s long-term climate agenda.
Sports
Africa will host an Olympic sporting event for the first time when the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games open in Senegal on Saturday, October 31. The Games will run until November 13 and are expected to bring together 2,655 young
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland lead the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers released the nominees on September 8 ahead of the October 26 ceremony in London. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and Vinícius Júnior also
Lionel Messi has retired from international football, closing a 21-year senior career with Argentina. The 39-year-old captain finishes as his country’s record scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He also holds Argentina’s record for senior international appearances. Messi led
Spain reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday, as Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute at Dallas Stadium. The substitute took a pass from Ferran Torres and finished low past Diogo Costa.
Norway reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after beating Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 on Sunday. Erling Haaland scored twice late at New York New Jersey Stadium. Brazil, the five-time champion, exited before the
Luxury
MENA Newswire News Desk: The personal luxury goods market, long seen as resilient against economic uncertainty, is witnessing a significant contraction for the first time since the Great Recession. According to Bain & Company’s annual luxury report, global sales are projected to decline
Rolex introduces the latest addition to its esteemed collection with the unveiling of the new Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea model. Breaking tradition, this iteration marks the first-ever presentation of the divers’ watch in 18 ct yellow gold. Sporting a distinctive 60-minute
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, a beacon of horological prestige, marries the elegance of 18 ct gold or 950 platinum with groundbreaking innovation. Since its launch in 1956, it has stood out as the first wristwatch to display both the date and
The 53rd edition of the Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show, unveiled its treasures on January 31st in Sharjah. This prestigious event, a collaboration between Expo Centre Sharjah and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has become a beacon for luxury connoisseurs worldwide,
Porsche, the renowned sports car manufacturer, has teamed up with Frauscher Shipyard to unveil the 850 Fantom Air, their inaugural electric sports boat. Powering this maritime marvel is the drive technology slated for Porsche’s upcoming all-electric Macan. International media and enthusiasts recently