Special Reports

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its growth projections for Middle Eastern economies, attributing this revision to oil production limitations and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. In its latest World Economic Outlook update, the IMF pointed out that while the global economy showed resilience last year, it now faces challenges...

Survey data from F&G Annuities & Life Inc. indicates that economic challenges and other factors are leading many Americans to delay or exit retirement. The newly released Retirement Reconsidered survey, conducted in May with 2,048 respondents aged 50 and older, reveals that 51% of this group are contemplating reentering the...

The port of Shanghai is the busiest container port in the world, with a capacity of over 49 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). It's worth noting that 15 of the world's 20 busiest container ports are located in Asia. Some of the busiest container ports in Asia are Shanghai, Singapore,...

As of July 2024, SpaceX owns and operates the most satellites orbiting Earth, with its Starlink constellation totaling 6,111 active satellites. This accounts for almost half of all active satellites in orbit. SpaceX, the California-based firm founded by Elon Musk, owns and operates Starlink. The company plans to expand its...

In 2023, Google and Microsoft each consumed 24 TWh of electricity, surpassing the consumption levels of over 100 countries, according to new research. Analysis by Michael Thomas shared on X, indicates that both tech giants used the same amount of energy as Azerbaijan, which has a GDP of $78.7 billion....

According to the UN's World Population Prospects 2024 report, Africa is set to witness extraordinary population growth in the coming decades, with the top ten fastest-growing countries all situated on the continent. Niger is projected to lead with a population increase of 581%, followed by Angola at 473% and Tanzania...

A new study by PwC indicates that advertising will become increasingly crucial for streaming platforms like Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon. According to PwC's Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024-2028, advertising is projected to account for almost 28% of streaming service revenue by 2028, up from 20% in...

In a region where policy shifts, governance changes, and technological advancements continuously reshape the economic landscape, the Middle East is embracing an era of constant transformation. PwC's recent Middle East Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey highlights a workforce that is not only engaged and forward-thinking but also deeply optimistic about...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns about China's manufacturing sector, highlighting issues of overcapacity despite a generally improved economic outlook. China last faced significant overcapacity in 2014-2016, following extensive stimulus packages introduced by Beijing and local governments during the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis. This overcapacity was particularly evident...

Cross-border payments are gaining significance in international economies. According to the 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey by GlobalData, around 63% of global consumers use international real-time payments (RTPs) to send money to family and friends, while 51% use them to pay for goods and services. The G20 has laid out...