Bali, the Indonesian island with picture-perfect natural landscapes and rich culture is a favourite amongst travellers from all over the world for a reason. Boasting serene beaches, volcanic mountains and scenic rice paddies, the isle east of Java is not only a visual treat, it also presents visitors with a buzzing art scene, delectable cuisine and recreation like no place else. Far off from the tourist hotspots […]
By Maiya Keidan and Jemima Kelly | LONDON LONDON Hedge funds lost out on Tuesday after British Prime Minister Theresa May shocked markets by calling a snap election, but those led by humans outsmarted those led by machines, in a reversal of fortunes from the Brexit referendum. While computer-driven hedge funds garnered plaudits for their outperformance in the wake of Britain’s shock vote to leave the European […]
The Federal Trade Commission has sent warnings to Instagram celebrities, prompting them to clearly state which of their posts are sponsored. When following celebrities on Instagram, it can get tough at times to distinguish which of their posts are regular and which are paid ads. This could change soon enough, if the FTC has its way. Instagram Celebrities, The FTC Is Watching The FTC has sent more […]
US mortgage group Ocwen has lost more than half its market value after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued it over “systemic” misconduct, a reminder of the power wielded by the Washington regulator that Republicans have vowed to rein in. Several states are also taking action as they prepare to revoke operating licenses for the New York-listed company, which was founded in 1988 and employs more than […]
Poynter on Thursday announced a final list of 21 local news organizations that will participate in the Poynter Local News Innovation Project, receiving guidance from the Institute to help them transform their newsrooms into digital-first enterprises. The program, a project of the Knight-Lenfest Newsroom Initiative, is designed to spur digital transformation in local news organizations and will include tiny, low-circulation newspapers as well as major metros. Here’s […]
Emirates will shift aircraft to destinations in Malaysia, Oceania and Africa as the airline scrambles for alternatives after eliminating 25 weekly flights to the US in the fallout from President Donald Trump’s travel restrictions. Planes on US routes usually fly more than 80 percent full in the summer season but are now “percentage points” less than that, hurting the flights’ profitability, Emirates President Tim Clark said in […]
By David Lawder | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON World financial leaders gathered in Washington on Thursday with pledges to work with U.S. President Donald Trump to fix lingering trade problems while vowing to keep their commitments to free trade and global integration. Worries over Trump’s approach to trade, taxes, financial regulation and climate change clouded the start of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings, even amid […]
The biggest risk, critics say, is that Mr. Trump will talk himself into a war. Only slightly less dangerously, he could weaken the nation’s standing by backing off from a threat to use force. Continue reading the main story “In Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, they are recalibrating their strategies — you can’t deny it — because they don’t have any idea of how Trump will respond,” said Senator […]
Feb 15, 2017 11:46 am IST India’s space agency on Wednesday launched a record 104 satellites from a single rocket as it crossed another milestone in its low-cost space-exploration program. The satellites from seven countries were carried by the Indian Space Research Organization’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on its 38th consecutive successful flight. The mission reinforces India’s emerging reputation as a reliable and cost-effective option for launching […]
Underwriting profitability for listed insurers in the UAE has returned in 2016 but is still borderline, according to S&P Global Ratings. The average combined ratio improved to 99 percent in 2016, from its peak of 105 percent in 2015, which marks the return of technical profitability for the market. “While the overall market results look profitable, 15 out of 29 listed insurers still posted combined ratios above […]
By Sarah Marsh and Alexandre Meneghini | CIEGO DE AVILA CIEGO DE AVILA Cuban farmer Pascual Ferrel says his favorite fighting cock’s prowess was “off the charts,” so after it died of illness he had the black and red rooster preserved and displays it on his mantelpiece beside a television. “He fought six times and was invincible,” the 64-year old recalled fondly, talking over the crowing of […]
(Image: Mastercard) Swipe-to-pay, then chip-and-PIN. What next, credit cards with fingerprint sensors? Turns out that’s Mastercard’s latest invention, a new credit card with an integrated fingerprint sensor, which aims to fight in-store fraud. The card, currently under trial in South Africa, includes sensor is embedded in plastic of the credit card, allowing customers to authorize a payment with a fingerprint, rather than a PIN code or a […]
Wall Street still exudes widespread optimism that 2017 will provide another year of solid if unspectacular economic growth and only gentle interest rate rises. With the S&P 500 up over 4.5 per cent for the year, here is a series of charts that will hearten investors of a more bearish persuasion. While there are good reasons why each chart should not be taken too seriously, together they […]
By Jake Spring | SHANGHAI SHANGHAI When Chinese automaker GAC Motor was preparing to enter the United States market it foresaw challenges in product localization and regulation, but didn’t see any issue with the name of its flagship brand, Trumpchi. Executives at the firm and its parent Guangzhou Automobile Group (601238.SS) say they may now change the Trumpchi brand – which was meant to sound like its […]
Verizon lost hundreds of thousands of customers in the first three months of the year despite resurrecting its unlimited data plan. The largest US mobile carrier that powers more than 100m US mobile devices said it lost 307,000 postpaid phone subscribers in the first quarter. Analysts had expected Verizon to add about 200,000 postpaid, or monthly, subscribers, which are viewed as the most lucrative wireless customers. Analysts […]
The chairman of Saudi-based construction giant Dar Al-Arkan on Wednesay rang the market opening bell to celebrate the listing of a $500 million sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai, the region’s international exchange. Yousef Bin Abdullah Al-Shelash said the listing provides support for Dar Al-Arkan’s capital-raising strategy as it prepares for further property development activities across Saudi Arabia. The sukuk was two times oversubscribed and received significant interest from […]
Feb 16, 2017 10:46 am IST The decision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do away with large-denomination notes in November led to a temporary cash shortage that slowed the economy and forced people to queue at banks to get money. New Delhi touted its move as an opportunity to make India’s economy less dependent on cash, saying it will help it shrink the black economy […]
It’s springtime. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and love is in the air. That can only mean one thing: It’s time to send pictures of your bits and pieces! If you’ve ever used your phone to send someone special a picture of your thing(s), you’re not alone. Data shows that sexting is a highly popular pastime enjoyed by men and women alike. As you […]
Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a Joint Investigation Team to probe if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was involved in corruption as alleged in the Panama Papers. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa announced the split verdict against Sharif and his family. He said the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau had failed to probe the case. Sharif will appear before the probe team, which will have […]
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced a contribution of AED330 million ($89.8 million) to implement development projects and programmes in key sectors in Somalia, particularly infrastructure and transport. The funding underpins efforts to improve public services, create new job opportunities and ensure stability and social development, state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday. It said the contribution aims to help Somalia overcome the economic challenges […]
By Jon Herskovitz | AUSTIN, Texas AUSTIN, Texas Hundreds of condoms that clogged a city sewer pipe led police to raid a massage parlor in Texas and arrest two people for prostitution and other crimes, police documents released on Tuesday showed. A real estate agent who had just taken over the property notified police of the blockage at Jade Massage Therapy in the Texas capital of Austin. […]
By Adam Jourdan | SHANGHAI SHANGHAI German sports apparel brand adidas AG (ADSGn.DE) expects its huge operating margin in China to shrink slightly in the long term, while its small U.S. margin grows markedly in the near term, its new chief executive officer said on Thursday. Kasper Rorsted, on his first visit to China since taking the helm in September, said adidas’ margin in Greater China of […]
The interiors of Inked at Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz are reworked and sectioned off into 10 tiny roofless rooms. Behind each door is a different narrative, complete with vivid scenery and at least one actor or dancer. In one, a girl writes down her dreams and hangs each note on an apple tree; in another, a baker describes the secret ingredients in his pastel-coloured, ornately iced […]
By Syed Raza Hassan and Saad Sayeed | ISLAMABAD ISLAMABAD Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday ruled there was insufficient evidence to order Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s removal from office over corruption allegations levelled by the opposition and ordered further investigations. A verdict to remove Sharif would have left his party in power but would, nevertheless, have sparked turmoil at a time when Pakistan is experiencing modest growth […]
