Samsung earnings spike 1,800% — but why are Asian stocks cooling?
Asian stocks fell on Tuesday as investors locked in profits from this year's artificial intelligence (AI)-driven rally, with a blockbuster earnings outlook from Samsung Electronics failing to prevent a broad sell-off in technology shares while a weak Japanese yen and lingering geopolitical risks ke»»»
Global investors are still backing the Gulf’s growth story despite regional tensions
Dubai: Global investors are keeping faith in the Gulf despite recent regional tensions, with new surveys, bank research and equity flow data pointing to confidence in the region’s economic outlook and trade recovery. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.A new investor poll »»»
US leads international concern after China test-fires missile into Pacific
WASHINHTON, United States: The United States voiced alarm Monday over Beijing’s nuclear program after China test-fired a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean, the latest move in its rapid military modernization. Monday’s test came two years after China fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in»»»
Oil prices mixed: WTI, Murban see modest rebound as Brent slides to $71.99/barrel
Global oil prices have fallen back toward pre-conflict levels near $70 a barrel after the US-Iran peace agreement holds, easing fears of conflict and stripping massive risk premiums from energy markets. Prices were mixed early on Tuesday (July 7) with Brent crude futures down 0.18% to $71.99/barrel»»»
Poles losing jobs as Chinese goods flood market
A growing share of European industry is under threat from China’s economic expansion, according to a report by Poland’s Centre for Eastern Studies and the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers. The report says China’s state-backed industrial policy creates unequal competition, costing the EU around »»»
Super Typhoon Bavi devastates Rota 200-mph gusts expected in Taiwan - UPI.com
Super Typhoon Bavi is expected to impact Taiwan after hitting Rota and Guam. Photo courtesy of NOAA After devastating the Northern Mariana Island of Rota and causing damage in Guam, Super Typhoon Bavi is setting its sights on Taiwan. "The storm is equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane (130 mph) on t»»»
Tech 24 - Why Anthropic won't mind Alibaba's Claude ban
Chinese tech giant Alibaba has ordered staff to stop using Anthropic's Claude Code after the US coding tool was found to be flagging users’ connecting from China. But Anthropic is already trying to stop Chinese firms from using Claude at all and accuses Alibaba of running large "distillation" »»»
First group of king’s Umrah guests to arrive in Madinah on Wednesday
MADINAH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has completed preparations to receive Umrah performers under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit. The first group of this year’s program, comprising 250 male and female guests from 16 Asian countries, is scheduled »»»
NTSB: No obvious reason for skydiving plane crash in Butler, Mo. - UPI.com
July 3 (UPI) -- A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board determined there was no obvious reason for last month's crash of a skydiving plane that killed 12 people in Missouri. The report, issued Thursday, said there was no engine failure and the aircraft's fuel was clean at t»»»
More than 1,100 Dubai buses to be monitored through new AI-powered system
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched an AI-supported system to manage and operate buses more efficiently across a wide range of operational scenarios. The system monitors more than 1,100 buses and supports 26 different operational scenarios, helping improve operational flexibili»»»
US Praises Bulgaria for Hosting NATO Tanker Aircraft at Sofia Airport for Five Months
The United States has expressed appreciation to Bulgaria for hosting American military tanker aircraft at Sofia Airport over the past five months, highlighting the role of the country within NATO operations and broader alliance support activities. The acknowledgment came from General Alexus Grynkew»»»
Forget chasing trends: These are the UAE sectors experts believe will deliver growth
Dubai: Entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the UAE should pay close attention to artificial intelligence (AI), food security, manufacturing and compliance, according to several business leaders at a panel discussion in Dubai. The business leaders say these sectors are creating new opportun»»»
Philippine EV sales surge 36% despite market slowdown in Q1, VinFast emerges on top — no sales data from BYD
Manila: Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the Philippines floored the pedal to the metal in the first quarter of 2026, rising 36.2%, bucking a broader slowdown in the automotive market. Industry data released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manu»»»
China conducts long-range ballistic missile test in South Pacific
China said it test-launched a long-range ballistic missile in the South Pacific on Monday, after countries in the region reported having been warned of an imminent test. China’s military test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the Sout»»»
China says test-fired missile in Pacific Ocean
Beijing: A Chinese submarine test-fired a "strategic" missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, Beijing said, drawing immediate condemnation from nations in the region. China made the rare show of its military might on the same day Australia and Fiji signed a major defence »»»
Eurostat: Romania Among EU Countries With Highest Current Account Deficit
According to the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) shows that the European Union recorded a current account surplus of 113.4 billion euros (2.4% of GDP) in the first quarter of 2026, after a surplus of 99.2 billion euros (2.1% of GDP) in the previous three months and a surplus of 104.9 billion»»»
NATO aircraft intercepted a plane from China at the border between Romania and Hungary
Hungary’s fighter jets on service and quick reaction alert patrols were scrambled at the Romanian-Hungarian border after a Chinese-registered passenger aircraft failed to establish contact with Romanian air traffic controllers. Hungarian Defense Minister, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, announced on Facebo»»»
N. Korea's new ambassador to Austria assumes post: state media - UPI.com
North Korea's new ambassador to Austria has assumed the post, Pyongyang's state media reported Monday. This September 2023 photo shows a North Korean flag at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. File Photo by Yonhap North Korea's new ambassador to Austria has assumed the post, as he presented his cr»»»
China Successfully Tests Submarine-Launched Strategic Missile
BEIJING (Sputnik) - China successfully conducted a test launch of a strategic missile carrying a mock warhead from a submarine on Monday, the Chinese Defense Ministry said. "At 12:01 (4:01 GMT) on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine of the People's Liberation Army of China successfully launched a»»»
Ajman Free Zone targets secondary Indian cities, China as it ramps up global expansion
Dubai: Ajman Free Zone is stepping up its international expansion, planning to double its overseas presence by next year as it seeks to attract more manufacturers, SMEs and investors from India, China and other key markets. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Speaking at t»»»
Russia, China Test Drone and Counter-Drone Tactics in Joint Exercise
QINGDAO (Sputnik) - The Russian Pacific Fleet and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy will deploy unmanned systems and practice counter-drone tactics during the Naval Interaction-2026 joint exercise, Russian Rear Admiral Sergei Sinko said on Monday. The annual Russia-China maritime drills are»»»
Bulgaria Ranks Fourth in the EU for Largest Current Account DeficitOpinions
Bulgaria ranked fourth among European Union member states for the largest current account deficit in the first quarter of 2026, trailing only Greece, Romania, and Croatia, according to the latest balance of payments data. Despite the weak performance of several member states, the EU as a whole post»»»
China says successfully conducted test missile launch in Pacific Ocean
China's navy said it successfully conducted a test missile launch in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, after regional nations warned Beijing was planning to test an intercontinental ballistic missile. "At 12:01 pm on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine of China's People's Liberation Army Navy successf»»»
UK tightens rules on overseas political donations to stop ‘dodgy funding’
LONDON: Britain tightened its rules on overseas political donations on Monday, as part of efforts to stop foreign money influencing elections, and as concerns swirl around what Housing Minister Steve Reed called “dodgy funding.” Last year, the government ordered a review into foreign financial inte»»»
Philippine impeachment court to open politically volatile trial of vice president
MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine Senate, acting as an impeachment court, will open the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday in a politically volatile event that will unfold with the backdrop of her bitter political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. More than 6,000 police officer»»»
NATO chief faces challenge at summit as Trump demands ‘loyalty’ and not just burden-sharing
ANKARA, Turkiye: Since he started work as NATO secretary-general almost two years ago, Mark Rutte has spent much of his time trying to keep the United States anchored to the world’s biggest military alliance, employing outright flattery to dissuade US President Donald Trump from acting on threats t»»»
Oil holds near $70 as Middle East risk premium fades, Abu Dhabi's Murban defies the trend
Oil prices were little changed in Asian trading on Monday, with global benchmark Brent crude hovering below $72 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) remaining under $69, as traders weighed easing geopolitical tensions against expectations of resilient summer fuel demand. Based on market da»»»
Philippine Senate opening the politically volatile impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte
Manila: The Philippine Senate, acting as an impeachment court, will open the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday in a politically volatile event that will unfold with the backdrop of her bitter political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. More than 6,000 police officers, including »»»
Iran envoy says friendly nations to get 'special' Hormuz fee treatment
BEIJING — Iran’s ambassador to China has said that new fees will be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, an idea rejected by Washington, while adding that "friendly" nations would receive special treatment.The initial agreement between Iran and the United States to end the recent confl»»»
China and Russia to hold joint naval drills off Qingdao
Beijing: Beijing and Moscow announced Sunday they will hold their annual joint naval exercises off China's coast, with Russia saying the drills will begin Monday. The two countries have close economic and diplomatic ties, and their relations are strengthened by shared opposition to a global order d»»»
Trump's four-part strategy for a post-American world: retreat, rebel, replace and reform international institutions
US President Donald Trump has broken with the paradigm of the rules based international order and is causing chaos with his transactional modus operandi that puts “America first”. At the same time the global emerging markets have come of age and have put on enough economic and military muscle so th»»»
Trump's four-part strategy for a post-American world: retreat, rebel, replace and reform international institutions
US President Donald Trump has broken with the paradigm of the rules based international order and is causing chaos with his transactional modus operandi that puts “America first”. At the same time the global emerging markets have come of age and have put on enough economic and military muscle so th»»»
Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000
Caracas: Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes killed nearly 3,000, updated official figures showed on Saturday, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble of the disaster. Fatalities jumped by more than 300 from Friday to 2,954, following the »»»
Kazakhstan aims to create Central Asia's crypto capital
Kazakhstan’s planned Alatau City aims to become Central Asia's crypto capital, with major partners onboard and $6bn in investment secured. However, for the project to be successful, it will have to solve major regulatory, logistical and infrastructural challenges. The Alatau City megaproject was fi»»»
Nepal PM marks 100 days with fast change and few words
Kathmandu, Nepal: One hundred days after taking power promising sweeping reform, Nepal's 36-year-old rapper-turned-Prime Minister Balendra Shah has upended the government while remaining an elusive public figure. The former mayor of Kathmandu, better known as "Balen", reached the milestone on Sunda»»»
China, Russia to hold joint naval exercise, maritime patrol
Beijing, China: Chinese and Russian navies will hold the "Joint Sea-2026" naval exercise this month in waters and airspace near the Chinese port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Sunday. Following the exercise, some forces from both si»»»
Iran envoy says friendly nations to get 'special' Hormuz fee treatment
Iran's ambassador to China insisted that new fees would be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz -- an idea rejected by Washington -- while assuring that "friendly" nations would receive special treatment. The initial deal struck between Iran and the United States to end their war stipul»»»
Nepal PM marks 100 days with fast change and few words
Katmandu, Nepal: One hundred days after taking power promising sweeping reform, Nepal’s 36-year-old rapper-turned-Prime Minister Balendra Shah has upended the government while remaining an elusive public figure. The former mayor of Katmandu, better known as “Balen,” reached the milestone on Sunday »»»
Nepal PM marks 100 days with fast change and few words
Katmandu, Nepal: One hundred days after taking power promising sweeping reform, Nepal’s 36-year-old rapper-turned-Prime Minister Balendra Shah has upended the government while remaining an elusive public figure. The former mayor of Katmandu, better known as “Balen,” reached the milestone on Sunday »»»
China, Russia navies to hold drills off China coast
BEIJING: The Chinese and Russian navies will hold joint exercises in the waters and airspace off the Chinese city of Qingdao next week, China’s defense ministry and Russian state media said on Sunday. “Following the exercises, some of the forces from both sides will proceed to relevant area»»»
Russia-China Naval Drills Begin Near Qingdao
A detachment of Russia’s Pacific Fleet has arrived at the naval base in Qingdao, China, for the joint Russia-China exercise Maritime Interaction-2026, the Pacific Fleet press service said. The drills will take place in the Yellow Sea from July 6 to 13.Russian and Chinese naval forces, supported by »»»
Turkiye eyes F110 fighter jet engines as Trump comes to town
ISTANBUL: US President Donald Trump’s visit to Ankara for the NATO summit could help secure Turkiye’s acquisition of dozens of fighter jet engines, but won’t resolve the F-35 dispute that has soured ties, analysts say. The July 7-8 summit, which is being hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wi»»»
Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000 as tens of thousands still reported missing
Fatalities from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes jumped to nearly 3,000 people, official updated figures showed on Saturday, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors. Tens of thousands more are still reported missing following the »»»
Iran envoy says friendly nations to get ‘special’ Hormuz fee treatment
BEIJING: Iran’s ambassador to China insisted Saturday that new fees would be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz — an idea rejected by Washington — while assuring that “friendly” nations would receive special treatment. The initial deal struck between Iran and the United States to end »»»
Surging real estate development divides opinion on Athens' Riviera
GLYFADA, Greece — In the southern Athens seaside suburb of Glyfada, a pensioner struggles to cross an avenue with her shopping trolley, zigzagging between cars stuck in traffic."I've had enough of these traffic jams," says Vassiliki Karvela as she finally reaches the local weekly market in her town»»»
India, Japan vow closer work on critical minerals
NEW DELHI — India and Japan will work more closely on critical minerals to boost "resilience" in their supply chains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday, as the two huge Asian economies look to cut dependence on top exporter China.Both India and Japan depend on imports for many such mineral»»»
Access Asia - Seoul soul-searching after World Cup exit
On this edition of Access Asia, we find out why anger is brewing in South Korea after the country's national team was eliminated from the World Cup. We also ask our Sports Editor why China hasn't managed to make it to football's top tier despite massive investment. Plus, Japan's prime minister»»»
Hungarian Gripens scrambled after Chinese passenger jet loses contact with air traffic control
Hungarian Gripen fighter jets were scrambled on Saturday afternoon after a Chinese passenger aircraft flying from Hong Kong to London failed to establish contact with Romanian civilian air traffic control, prompting a NATO quick reaction alert. According to Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, »»»
Iran begins week-long funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
A week-long state funeral for the Islamic Republic’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has begun in Iran, more than four months after he was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes. The ceremonies mark the end of nearly four decades of Khamenei’s leadership. Millions of mourners are expected to »»»
Talking Europe - EU ‘tech sovereignty’: Uncoupling from the US and China?
The EU is trying to assert its strategic independence in an unstable world – a world of bullies, as some members of the EU Parliament describe it. That means independence in matters of defence and energy supplies, but also in the whole field of tech. The European Commission says non-EU companies pr»»»