BEIJING: China’s industrial profits in April grew at the fastest pace since November 2023, despite financial pressures stemming from softening domestic demand and rising component costs exacerbated by the Middle East crisis. The latest data adds to signs of an uneven recovery, with the economy largely losing momentum at the start of the second quarter….
Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund, the war chest used to defend the local currency, reported its smallest investment gain in five quarters as the Middle East crisis weighed on stock market performance. The fund gained HK$34.5 billion (US$4.4 billion) in the first quarter, 56 per cent lower than HK$79.2 billion a year earlier, according to data…
The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global LNG markets to remain tight through 2027, as the Middle East conflict disrupts supply and delays fresh capacity additions. In its latest quarterly gas report for Q2 2026, the agency said shipping disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz have effectively taken nearly 20% of global LNG supply off…
Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at Israel’s expanded offensive in Gaza City, the removal of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and European military support for Ukraine. ‘Dangerous Combat Zone’ Israel launched the “initial stages” of its planned expanded offensive into Gaza City on Friday, declaring the heavily populated area a “dangerous combat…
Several flights have reportedly resumed in Qatar after the Gulf country opened its airspace on Tuesday after a temporary shutdown. The flight disruptions took place on Monday as Iran launched multiple missiles targeting US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest US military installation in the…