Saudi Arabia

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates 'Deepest Downturn' with Cost Cuts and Strategic Shifts Amid Trade Volatility

Facing what CEO Peter Vanacker calls the 'deepest and longest downturn' of his career, LyondellBasell reported Q1 2025 results while detailing a new $500 million cash improvement plan. The chemical giant is leaning into portfolio restructuring and its global supply network to weather trade policy uncertainty and weak demand.

World

Analysis: U.S. Military Threats Against Iran Risk Triggering a Global Nuclear Domino Effect

As the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Tehran, experts warn that military action aimed at halting Iran's nuclear program could backfire, potentially accelerating proliferation worldwide and unraveling the non-proliferation regime.

Business

Air Products Posts Solid Q1 on Pricing Power and Cost Discipline, Charts Cautious Path Amid Macro Headwinds

Air Products and Chemicals reported a 10% rise in adjusted EPS for its fiscal first quarter, driven by strategic pricing and productivity gains. While management affirmed full-year guidance, they highlighted persistent challenges in the helium market and a cautious approach to major clean energy investments.

World

Diplomatic Offensive Intensifies as U.S. and Iran Edge Closer to Conflict

With the specter of U.S. military action looming, Iran is engaging in a frantic diplomatic push with regional powers like Turkey, while global capitals scramble to prevent a full-scale war. Despite the outreach, analysts warn the window for de-escalation is narrowing.

World

Iran Signals Openness to U.S. Talks, Draws Red Line on Missile Program

Iran's foreign minister stated readiness for 'fair' negotiations with Washington but firmly ruled out discussing its defense capabilities, as regional powers intensify diplomacy to avert a military confrontation.

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Unearthing Investment Opportunities in Middle Eastern Markets Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty

While regional tensions and market volatility capture headlines, a closer look reveals resilient companies with strong fundamentals. Driven by robust earnings and strategic positioning, select stocks in sectors from renewable energy to infrastructure present compelling cases for value-oriented investors navigating the complex landscape of early 2026.

Business

Porsche Revs Up Middle East Presence with STARTRADER Partnership for Carrera Cup Series

Porsche has secured STARTRADER as the official partner for its Carrera Cup Middle East racing series, a strategic move to deepen engagement with performance-focused audiences in a key growth region, even as global delivery figures face headwinds.

Business

Qatar Launches Historic Offshore Decommissioning, Taps McDermott for Landmark Project

QatarEnergy awards McDermott a pivotal contract to plan the removal of 27 aging offshore platforms, marking the nation's first major step in responsibly retiring legacy oil and gas infrastructure.

World

Global Reinsurers Flock to India's GIFT City, Challenging Singapore and Dubai

A wave of international reinsurance giants, including Lloyd's of London, Samsung Re, and Mapfre Re, are seeking approval to set up shop in India's GIFT IFSC, drawn by tax incentives and a booming market, as the hub aims to rival established global financial centers.

World

Explainer: The Baloch Liberation Army – Pakistan's Persistent Separatist Challenge

A recent wave of deadly attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province, claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has spotlighted the escalating capabilities and ambitions of a group that threatens regional stability and critical Chinese investments.

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Undervalued Small-Caps Shine in a Shifting Middle Eastern Market

As regional markets adjust to easing geopolitical pressures, a closer look reveals resilient performers. We analyze three small-cap stocks—R.A.K. Ceramics, TALCO Industrial, and Emilia Development—that are navigating the current volatility with strong fundamentals and potential for growth.

Business

Unsealed Documents Reveal Jeffrey Epstein's Early Ties to Bitcoin and Crypto Elite

Newly released court files detail Epstein's involvement with key Bitcoin figures, investment discussions, and his role in funding pivotal infrastructure projects during the industry's nascency.

World

Surviving the Siege: A Doctor's Flight from Darfur's Fallen Stronghold

In a rare firsthand account, Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim details his three-day escape from el-Fasher as paramilitary forces overran the city. His testimony paints a harrowing picture of urban warfare, civilian slaughter, and the systematic collapse of Sudan's last army bastion in Darfur.

World

Through Hell in Darfur: A Doctor's Harrowing Escape from Besieged el-Fasher Reveals Scale of Atrocities

Exclusive testimony from Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, who fled the last hospital in Sudan's strategic el-Fasher, details a three-day ordeal of hiding from paramilitary forces, witnessing mass casualties, and surviving a kidnapping and ransom demand—shedding light on a siege the U.N. calls a 'massive crime scene.'

Business

Musk's Master Plan? SpaceX Weighs Pre-IPO Merger with Tesla or xAI in Historic $1.5 Trillion Move

As SpaceX targets a record-shattering IPO for mid-2026, reports indicate Elon Musk is exploring a potential merger with either Tesla or his AI startup, xAI. The move could create a unified tech and industrial behemoth but faces significant regulatory and operational hurdles.

Business

Oil Rally Stalls as Geopolitical Tensions with Iran Keep Traders on Edge

Oil prices pulled back from multi-month highs on Friday amid broad market risk aversion, yet President Trump's intensified focus on Iran continues to inject a significant risk premium into the market, setting Brent crude for its strongest monthly gain in years.