WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned the UN Security Council that surging global demand for critical minerals risks fueling conflict and poverty in resource-rich nations, urging them to leverage their wealth for local processing and economic transformation.
Ghanaian artists like Heavy J create exaggerated hand-painted film posters, a tradition from the 70s-2000s for video clubs. This art form, once waning, is now experiencing a global resurgence in demand, driven by online marketing and galleries like Deadly Prey, which connects artists to international buyers.
Oil prices remained elevated, poised for significant weekly gains despite a slight dip Friday, as Iran's attacks on US military sites in the Middle East heightened supply concerns. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key focus.
Hong Kong's exports jumped 42.9% year-on-year in April to HK$620.9 billion, driven by strong demand for AI-related electronics, though the government warns of potential clouding from the Middle East war.
Nvidia's CFO expressed uncertainty about generating revenue from China despite US license approvals for H200 shipments, as the company excludes China data center compute revenue from its outlook.
OPEC reports a 30% drop in oil production since late February due to the Iran war, with April output falling by 1.7 million bpd. Demand growth forecasts are lowered to 1.2 million bpd. Contrasting views emerge as IEA predicts a 420,000 bpd demand fall in 2026, citing supply constraints from the Hormuz blockade, despite producers' mitigation efforts.
A standard ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at FIFA World Cup 2026 Final has appeared on the resale market for an extraordinary $11.5 million, despite offering no premium benefits. The pricing surge at MetLife Stadium highlights escalating concerns over affordability and speculation, as global demand for the expanded tournament intensifies ahead of its North American showcase.
Nabil Jaafar Al-Marsoumi emphasized that "it cannot be ruled out that this move by the UAE will undermine the efforts of OPEC and OPEC+ to control and regulate oil supplies and adjust production in line with global demand"
The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and the wider Opec+ alliance effective May 1, a move that signals a push for greater control over its production strategy. The decision followed “a comprehensive review” of the country’s production policy and capacity, the Ministry of Infrastructure said in a statement, adding that it was based on national interests and a commitment to help meet global market...
Hong Kong's exports surged 35.8% year-on-year in March to HK$618.4 billion, the sharpest growth in over five years, driven by strong global demand for AI-related electronic products. Imports rose 41.2%, creating a trade deficit of HK$89.1 billion, while authorities warned of downside risks from Middle East geopolitical tensions.
Hong Kong's exports jumped 35.8% year-on-year in March to HK$618.4 billion, the sharpest growth since January 2021, driven by strong global demand for AI-related electronic products. Imports rose 41.2% to HK$707.5 billion, creating a trade deficit of HK$89.1 billion. Despite the positive numbers, authorities warned of headwinds from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that could disrupt global trade flows and supply chains.
Chinese battery cell manufacturers are poised to benefit from the US-Israeli war in Iran, according to Fitch Ratings, even as fierce competition, overcapacity and thin margins weigh on some downstream firms. Global demand for energy storage was set to rise, driven by high oil prices and rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, said Wang Ying, a managing director at the credit rating agency. “We believe that China’s leading energy storage cell manufacturers will be the bigger...
At least two Swiss firms and one Singapore-based company have placed VLCC orders with Chinese shipyards in recent weeks. Switzerland's Advantage Tankers ordered two 307,000-DWT VLCCs for delivery in 2028-2029, while Geneva-based Mercuria Energy Group signed contracts worth nearly US$650 million for up to four VLCCs and two LR2 tankers. Singapore's Yangzijiang Maritime Development ordered eight VLCCs – its first venture into the large-tanker segment – with deliveries planned between 2028 and 2030.
Thales reported a 75% jump in defence business orders to €2.24bn in Q1 2026, with total sales rising nearly 10% to €5.31bn. The French defence company benefited from sustained demand amid geopolitical uncertainty, particularly for air surveillance, air defence, and underwater mine warfare solutions. Total Q1 orders reached €4.65bn, up 27% year-on-year, driven by several big European orders. The company confirmed its 2026 financial targets, expecting sales of €23.3-€23.6bn.
Victory Giant, a Chinese printed circuit board manufacturer for AI and high-performance computing, surged 57.23% in its Hong Kong trading debut on Tuesday, with investors capitalizing on booming demand for AI infrastructure hardware. The retail tranche was oversubscribed 431.15 times. The company rose from seventh place with 1.7% market share in 2024 to lead the market with 13.8% in H1 2025, according to Frost & Sullivan data.
Victory Giant, a Chinese printed circuit board manufacturer for AI and high-performance computing, surged 57.23% in its Hong Kong trading debut on Tuesday, with the retail tranche oversubscribed 431.15 times. The company became the world's leading PCB maker by revenue in AI/HPC in H1 2025 with 13.8% market share, up from 7th place in 2024. Victory Giant entered Nvidia's H-series AI accelerator supply chain in 2023 and was promoted to tier-one supplier in 2024.
The world passed a significant turning point in 2025 as clean power generation rose faster than global demand for electricity, preventing an increase in fossil fuel generation, according to Ember's annual global electricity review. Global clean power generation increased by 887 TWh while demand rose by 849 TWh. Renewables accounted for 34 per cent of total generation, overtaking coal's 33 per cent share for the first time in a century.
India's transmission and distribution sector is poised for steady growth with Rs 9 trillion investment through 2032, driven by renewable energy integration and data center expansion. The Motilal Oswal report notes FY26 ordering slowed to 16 schemes from 45 in FY25 due to bandwidth constraints, but maintains positive outlook with strong domestic and export demand.
China Meteorological Administration forecasts moderate-to-strong El Nino to emerge globally in May 2026 and develop throughout the year. The climate phenomenon, occurring every two to seven years, threatens hydropower-dependent regions with droughts or flooding, potentially forcing power stations to reduce output and increasing reliance on oil and gas.
The US-Israeli war on Iran has unleashed sharp swings across global energy and financial markets, fuelling demand for safe-haven assets, with Hong Kong emerging as a potential beneficiary across gold, property and capital markets. In the first of a three-part series, we examine Hong Kong’s bid to position itself as Asia’s bullion hub. War in the Middle East has intensified global demand to diversify gold storage, creating a strategic window for Hong Kong to tap its unique status and evolve from...
Chinese printed circuit board (PCB) suppliers are experiencing a surge in interest and pursuing IPOs, driven by the booming global demand for AI infrastructure. Companies like Victory Giant Technology and Jiangxi Redboard Technology are raising significant capital, with analysts projecting continued growth in the sector.
