Media & Advertising Gulf states demand Netflix pull content deemed offensive Gulf Arab states have demanded that US streaming giant Netflix remove content deemed offensive to “Islamic and societal values” in the region, Saudi Arabia’s media regulator said on Tuesday. It did not specify the content, but mentioned that it included content aimed at children. Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya TV, in a programme discussing the issue, […] September 7, 2022
Lifestyle Music, acting and activism: Life Lessons with Stevie Van Zandt It is rare enough to have one career that becomes part of a pop-culture phenomenon. Stevie Van Zandt has two. As a musician, including as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, and as an actor with “The Sopranos,” Van Zandt has bottled lightning twice. For the latest in Reuters’ Life Lessons series, Van […] September 6, 2022
Banking and Finance Russia considers proposal to buy up to $16bn of yuan in 2022 Russia’s government is considering a proposal which says Moscow could buy $3-4 billion worth of Chinese yuan a month to help stem the rouble’s rise, but that it does not make sense for the country to accumulate illiquid currencies longer-term. Flush with oil income, Russia is looking for ways to replenish reserves under a revived […] September 6, 2022
Energy Iranian minister says ‘world needs more of its oil’ Iran’s minister of petroleum Javad Owji said the world needed more Iranian oil, and that his country was ready to play a role in providing it away from politics, the Iranian oil ministry’s news agency SHANA reported on Monday. In a statement issued after an OPEC+ meeting in which a minor cut was agreed, Owji […] September 6, 2022
Tech Qatar’s Ooredoo plans to sell Myanmar unit to Singapore firm Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo plans to sell its Myanmar operations to Singapore-headquartered technology firm The One Matrix Ventures (TOMV), according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter. Ooredoo is the last majority foreign-owned telecoms company in Myanmar since a rush to exit after last year’s military coup. Norway’s Telenor withdrew from the country […] September 6, 2022
Banking and Finance Credit Suisse expands in Qatar, despite global move to cut jobs Credit Suisse will expand in Qatar via a partnership with the Gulf country’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA Qatar), the Swiss bank said on Monday. It will create up to 100 jobs there over the next few years across its wealth management, investment banking and asset management divisions and through the launch of a technology and […] September 6, 2022
Tourism Israel’s El Al to resume Hong Kong flights after curbs eased El Al Israel Airlines said on Monday it would resume non-stop flights to Hong Kong in February after halting them at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Israel’s flag carrier said that in the wake of authorities in Hong Kong easing restrictions and allowing the entry of tourists, it would operate three weekly […] September 6, 2022
Economy Turkey’s inflation hits new 24-year high beyond 80% Turkey’s annual inflation climbed to a fresh 24-year high of 80.21 percent in August, a bit below expectations according to data on Monday, after the central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates and stoked a nearly year-long cost-of-living crisis. Inflation has raced higher since last autumn when the central bank gradually cut its policy rate by […] September 6, 2022
Economy No time to waste, worried Italian business leaders warn politicians Italy cannot afford weeks of political inertia after an election this month, business chiefs said, adding that sky-high energy prices are already forcing more and more firms to curtail production. Gathered on the shores of Lake Como for the annual Ambrosetti Forum this weekend, business owners lashed out at politicians for ousting Prime Minister Mario […] September 5, 2022
Economy Egypt non-oil activity continues to shrink, with weak outlook Non-oil private sector activity in Egypt shrank for the 21st month running in August, and businesses took a bleak view of the year ahead amid concerns over the currency, Ukraine and import bottlenecks, a survey showed on Monday. The S&P Global Egypt Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) improved to 47.6 from July’s 46.4, but remained below […] September 5, 2022
Economy Turkey sees inflation to ease to 65% by 2022-end Turkey expects inflation to ease to 65 percent by the end of the year from nearly 80 percent in July, while the current account deficit is seen at $47.3 billion in 2022, government forecasts showed on Sunday. President Tayyip Erdogan’s new economic model has prioritised growth, exports, employment and investment while seeking to cut interest […] September 5, 2022
Markets Dubai road-toll operator Salik to sell 20% of its shares via IPO Dubai road-toll operator Salik is selling 20 percent of the company via an initial public offering, the company said in its intention to float document on Monday. Salik, which was converted into a private joint stock company in June, is selling 1.5 billion shares to the public with a listing planned around Sept. 29, it […] September 5, 2022
Banking and Finance Bahrain restructures board of wealth fund Mumtalakat Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the prime minister, has issued an order to restructure the board of sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat Holding with Finance Minister Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa as its chairman, with immediate effect, state news agency BNA reported on Sunday. The members of the new Mumtalakat board will serve for a […] September 5, 2022
Business of Sport Qatar to allow beer at World Cup three hours before kick-off Qatar will permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match, a source with knowledge of plans for the tournament said. Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at […] September 4, 2022
Business of Sport LIV Golf players ineligible for PGA Tour membership renewal The PGA Tour players, who have been indefinitely suspended by the US-based circuit for joining LIV Golf, were informed this week that they are not eligible to renew their membership for the season 2022-23, Reuters confirmed on Friday. As first reported by Sports Illustrated, a letter sent on Thursday to 22 players who had not […] September 4, 2022
Economy Turkish trade deficit surges 162% to $11.3bn in August Turkey’s trade deficit jumped 161.8 percent year-on-year in August 2022 to $11.277 billion, the Trade Ministry said on Friday, as surging energy import costs continue to widen the shortfall. Turkey’s exports rose 13.2 percent to $21.341 billion in August, while imports jumped 40.8 percent to $32.618 billion, the data showed. In a speech, Trade Minister […] September 4, 2022
Amazon says ‘Lord of the Rings’ prequel sets viewership record Amazon.com Inc said on Saturday that its pricey “Lord of the Rings” prequel series was watched by more than 25 million viewers around the world on its first day, a record debut for a Prime Video series. “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” premiered on Amazon’s streaming service on Friday in more […] September 4, 2022
Lifestyle Banks battle back-to-office fatigue with ping pong, indoor gardens Finance bosses are offering more incentives, including free meals, ping pong and “contemplative spaces” as they battle to get staff back to the office, while concerns about the cost and value of commuting to work weigh on attendance worldwide. Hybrid working policies were introduced across the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, but data seen by […] September 2, 2022
Economy UAE aims to sign free trade deal with Turkey in coming weeks The United Arab Emirates aims to finalise a free trade agreement with Turkey in the coming weeks, the Emirati trade minister said on Thursday, roughly four months after negotiations launched. “We are aiming to finalise the #UAETurkiyeCEPA in the coming weeks, and build deeper, more meaningful trade and investment ties with one of the region’s […] September 2, 2022
Banking and Finance US Fed ends decade-long enforcement action against HSBC The US Federal Reserve has terminated a decade-long enforcement action against HSBC Holdings PLC for violation of anti-money laundering rules and sanction laws. The enforcement order ended on Aug. 26, the Fed said in a statement on Thursday. HSBC did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Terminating enforcement action against banks is not […] September 2, 2022
Economy Goldman Sachs raises Turkey 2022 GDP growth to 5.5% Goldman Sachs said on Thursday it had raised its forecast for Turkey’s 2022 GDP growth to 5.5 percent from 3.5 percent, while lifting its 2022 current account deficit forecast to $45 billion from $36 billion. It said the Turkish Central Bank’s forex reserves had risen sharply since the third week of June and that, with […] September 2, 2022
Manufacturing Israel to buy four Boeing air force refuelling tankers for $927m Israel will buy four Boeing Co KC-46A refuelling tankers for its air force, the Israeli government and the US defence contractor said on Thursday, a $927 million deal with delivery of the first planes expected in 2025. The tankers would replace the decades-old, repurposed Boeing 707s that Israel currently uses for mid-air refuelling and may […] September 2, 2022
