Region

China pledges $51 billion in funding to Africa for infrastructure, job creation

China will provide Africa with RMB360 billion of financial support in the next three years, including RMB 210 billion in credit lines

China’s lending to Africa rises for the first time in seven years in 2023, reaches $4.61 billion

Between 2000 to 2023, Chinese lenders provided 1,306 loans amounting to $182.28 billion to 49 African governments and 7 regional borrowers

$30 million data centre inaugurated in Congo to catalyze digital economy

The 400-rack capacity facility is expected boost DRC's digital landscape

Ethiopia secures $3.4 billion IMF financing program with $1 billion immediate disbursement

The Ethiopian central bank has floated the birr, a crucial step for securing IMF support and progressing its debt restructuring

Microsoft, G42 launch $1 billion digital ecosystem initiative for Kenya

Initiative includes building state-of-the-art data center campus in Olkaria, Kenya

India central bank delivers first rate cut in almost 5 years as inflation eases

The central bank cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent after keeping it unchanged for eleven consecutive policy meetings

South Korea’s GDP per capita outpaces Japan and Taiwan in 2024, surpasses $36,000

The country's per capita GDP has been calculated based on a nominal growth rate of 5.9 percent

India and China to resume air travel after nearly 5 years

India noted discussions on economic concerns to promote policy transparency

China reveals major breakthroughs in gold exploration with 168 metric tons discovered 

This development is a key step in strengthening the nation's resource security 

Malaysia, Singapore launch special economic zone to boost trade and investment

The zone will offer tax incentives and include key areas in sectors such as aerospace and tourism

Indian Railways aims for net zero carbon emissions by 2030

The rail network has commissioned 487 MW of solar energy plants as of last month

GDP remains steady in Eurozone, up by 0.1 percent in EU

Germany and France, the two largest economies within the bloc, have reported unexpected contractions

EU allocates $1.96 billion for humanitarian aid in 2025

The EU has set additional emergency funding in its budget which includes more than €295 million for worldwide actions

Eurozone inflation rises to 2.4 percent for third consecutive month in December

Core inflation remained steady at 2.7 percent for the fourth month in a row

Eurozone economy struggles as December 2024 PMI reaches 49.6

Despite exceeding 49.5, PMI remained below the 50 threshold for growth 

UK house prices rise 4.7 percent in 2024

Northern Ireland was the best-performing area for the second year running, with prices up 7.1 percent

London Heathrow to invest $3 billion in upgrades over next two years

The airport invested £1.1 billion in 2024 and benefited over 1,100 supply chain partners in the UK

Saudi Arabia

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Exclusive interview with Chris Newman, Executive Director, NEOM Hotel Development

With 95% of the land protected for nature, NEOM offers incredible biodiversity

United Arab Emirates

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U.S. new home sales rise 5.9 percent to 664,000 in November

The median sales price of a new U.S. home in November 2024 was $402,600, down from $437,300 in October

U.S. consumer confidence at six-month high in August despite lingering labor market fears

In August, U.S. consumer confidence declined among consumers under 35 while it increased for those 35 and older

Sweden’s trade surplus grows to $640 million in July 2024

Non-EU trade surplus hit SEK 22.7 billion during this period

Apple’s iPhone sales jump 52 percent in China during April 2024

Shipments of foreign-branded phones in China increased by 52 percent in April 2024 to 3.495 million units

U.S. annual inflation slows to 3.4 percent in April, monthly CPI up 0.3 percent

The main drivers of the CPI increase were the rising costs of shelter (up 0.4 percent) and gasoline (up 2.8 percent)

Exclusive Interview with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, leading Sharjah to new horizons

City renowned for being people-centric, entrepreneurial, sustainable and culturally vibrant

United States

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U.S. consumer prices rise 0.5 percent in January, annual rate grows 3 percent

In the 12 months through January, core U.S. consumer prices rose 3.3 percent after gaining 3.2 percent in December

U.S. adds 143,000 jobs in January as unemployment rate slips to 4 percent

November and December payrolls were revised up by 100,000 due to routine annual adjustments

U.S. trade deficit rises over 2-year high of $98.4 billion amid trade war concerns

The U.S. experienced significant trade deficits with several trade partners, including China, Mexico and Canada

U.S. stocks spike amid positive CPI report

The closely watched core measurement of the Consumer Price Index slowed for the first time in months

U.S. oil imports from Canada rise to record 4.42 million bpd ahead of tariff plans: EIA

Total U.S. imports of crude oil fell by 498,000 bpd to 6.43 million bpd last week, the lowest in a month

U.S. holiday retail sales grow 3.8 percent in 2024, says Mastercard

Online retail sales grew 6.7 percent year-over-year, whereas in-store sales increased 2.9 percent

Worldwide

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Google agrees to pay Italy $340 million to settle Italian tax case

Google has previously faced financial penalties, including over $1 billion paid to France for tax fraud allegations

U.S. adds 143,000 jobs in January as unemployment rate slips to 4 percent

November and December payrolls were revised up by 100,000 due to routine annual adjustments

South Korea’s GDP per capita outpaces Japan and Taiwan in 2024, surpasses $36,000

The country's per capita GDP has been calculated based on a nominal growth rate of 5.9 percent

GDP remains steady in Eurozone, up by 0.1 percent in EU

Germany and France, the two largest economies within the bloc, have reported unexpected contractions

India and China to resume air travel after nearly 5 years

India noted discussions on economic concerns to promote policy transparency

China reveals major breakthroughs in gold exploration with 168 metric tons discovered 

This development is a key step in strengthening the nation's resource securityÂ