Economy
Afghanistan’s trade has doubled since the Taliban took over in 2021, the latest government data shows, but experts warn there is no evidence of economic growth as the import-export deficit continues to soar amid Western-imposed sanctions. In 2024, Afghanistan’s trade value reached over $12.4 billion, more than
Economy
Oil prices held steady on Friday, remaining poised for weekly gains after closing the previous session at their highest in more than two months, underpinned by colder European and US weather and additional economic stimulus flagged by China. Brent crude futures were up 22 cents at $76.15 a barrel
Economy
Turkiye’s central bank lowered its key interest rate on Thursday, the first cut in nearly two years as it battles with double-digit inflation. The bank’s monetary policy committee decided to reduce the policy rate from 50 percent to 47.5 percent, with a statement citing improvement in “inflation
Economy
Gold prices firmed on Monday, although trading was thin due to the holiday season and as investors looked for cues on the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory for next year after it signaled gradual easing in its latest meeting. Spot gold added 0.3% at $2,628.
Economy
Oil prices fell on Friday on worries about demand growth in 2025, especially in top crude importer China, putting global oil benchmarks on track to end the week down more than 3 percent. Brent crude futures fell by 32 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $72.56 a barrel by
Economy
Oil prices stabilized on Friday, heading for their first weekly rise since the end of November, as additional sanctions on Iran and Russia ratcheted up supply worries, while a surplus outlook weighed on markets. Brent crude futures edged up 7 cents to $73.48 a barrel by 7:34 a.
Economy
Syria’s central bank said Monday depositors’ funds in the country’s lenders were “safe” after militants took the capital, and following chaotic scenes near some official institutions. “We assure our fellow citizens dealing with all operating banks that their deposits and funds at these banks are safe and have
Economy
Oil prices were mostly stable on Thursday ahead of an OPEC+ meeting later in the day, with investors waiting to see what the producer group would do next on supply cuts while also monitoring geopolitical tension in the Middle East, according to Reuters. Brent crude futures rose 6 cents, or
Economy
Britain’s Institute of Directors said on Sunday that optimism among its members had fallen to the lowest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, following tax rises in finance minister Rachel Reeves’ first budget on Oct. 30. Investment plans and employment intentions were the weakest since May 2020 last
Economy
Oil prices retreated on Monday following 6 percent gains last week, but remained near two-week highs as geopolitical tensions grew between Western powers and major oil producers Russia and Iran, raising risks of supply disruption. Brent crude futures slipped 26 cents, or 0.35 percent, to $74.91 a barrel
Economy
Oil prices extended gains on Friday, heading for a weekly uptick of more than 4 percent, as the Ukraine war intensified with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning of a global conflict. Brent crude futures gained 10 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $74.33 a barrel by 7:48 a.
Economy
Egypt’s economy has been in crisis for years, but as the latest round of International Monetary Fund-backed reforms bites, much of the country’s middle class has found itself struggling to afford goods once considered basics. The world lender has long backed measures in Egypt including a liberal currency
Economy
Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan will take decades to recover from the conflicts raging on their soil, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday after downgrading the region’s growth forecast. Israel’s military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Sudan’s civil war would
Economy
Global finance chiefs will gather in Washington this week amid intense uncertainty over wars in the Middle East and Europe, a flagging Chinese economy and worries that a coin-toss US presidential election could ignite new trade battles and erode multilateral cooperation. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings
Economy
Oil futures steadied on Friday after data showed a fall in crude and fuel inventories in the US and the emergence of more fiscal stimulus to boost China’s economy, though prices were headed for their biggest weekly loss in more than a month. Brent crude futures gained 23 cents,
Economy
Egypt raised prices on a wide range of fuel products early on Friday, the petroleum ministry said, marking the third such increase this year. Prices for diesel fuel, one of the most commonly used fuels in the country, were raised by 17 percent to 13.50 Egyptian pounds ($0.2779)