Special Reports

The U.S. housing market is undergoing a profound transformation, with the share of first-time homebuyers declining to an unprecedented low. Recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals that only 24% of buyers this year are purchasing a home for the first time, a significant drop from 32%...

The OPEC Secretariat has announced that eight OPEC+ member countries—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman—have agreed to extend voluntary production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) for an additional month, extending the reductions through December 2024. These adjustments, initially announced in...

In a significant step for the remote Highland community near Ullapool, Ross, and Cromarty, the 8,000-acre Badentarbat Estate has been transferred to local ownership, marking a transformative moment for the area. Wealthy financier and philanthropist Ian Wace, owner of the estate, contributed $2.26 million to facilitate the transfer, enabling the...

The 2024 Global Economic Crimes Survey (GECS) reflects the two-year period following the COVID-19 pandemic, a time marked by widespread adaptation to new operational norms. This “new normal” has seen businesses increasingly adopt hybrid work models that blend remote and in-person collaboration, optimize supply chains, adapt to evolving consumer preferences...

Stagwell has published the results of a global survey that explored the perspectives of 100 CEOs on their 2025 priorities, anticipated impacts of the U.S. presidential election on economic and political stability, and interest in investing in the Gulf region. The findings were presented by Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark...

According to data released by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), the wealthiest municipalities in Spain have an average income four times higher than that of the poorest areas. The 2022 data identifies Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Matadepera (Barcelona), and Boadilla del Monte (Madrid) as the municipalities with the highest average...

Oxfam has raised urgent concerns regarding the carbon emissions produced by the world’s wealthiest individuals, drawing attention to significant disparities in emission levels and suggesting that the ultra-wealthy’s climate actions could encourage broader societal acceptance of essential climate reforms. In its October 28 report, Oxfam emphasized that if global carbon...

In fiscal year 2024, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) supported essential sectors across Africa, including clean energy, manufacturing, digital connectivity, small business, trade, and agriculture, providing record levels of financing and comprehensive advisory support aimed at strengthening markets and generating jobs, especially in the continent’s most fragile and high-need areas....

From October 10 to 23, a Seminar on Management for Director-Generals of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Developing Countries took place in Beijing and Anhui, China. The event attracted 20 senior officials from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and representatives from sectors such as meteorology, hydrology, agriculture, and...

Living paycheck to paycheck might typically bring to mind lower-income households, yet recent data shows that around 20% of US households earning over $150,000 a year are also in this position. This finding comes from a new Bank of America analysis, which examined anonymized banking accounts and spending habits of...