Business
Economic growth across developing Asia and the Pacific will moderate to 5.0% in 2026 from 5.5% in 2025. The Asian Development Bank raised its 2026 forecast by 0.1 percentage point from its July estimate. Growth should edge up to 5.1%
Remittances from Egyptians working abroad totaled about $29.7 billion from January through July 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt said the figure rose 28.1% from about $23.2 billion a year earlier. The seven-month increase added roughly $6.5 billion compared with
China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged in September, extending a period of stable borrowing costs. The one-year loan prime rate remained at 3.0%, while the over-five-year rate stayed at 3.5%. Banks commonly use the longer-term benchmark when pricing mortgages.
Travel
Dubai-based flag carrier Emirates has entered the northern winter travel period with robust forward booking metrics across its international network, outpacing initial corporate projections. The performance follows a high-density summer operational cycle during which the airline transported more than 8.6
Etihad Airways will launch year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on Oct. 4, 2026. The service will connect Zayed International Airport with Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province. Etihad will start with one weekly
Indonesia reopened Jakarta’s main airport and several regional airports Tuesday after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel. More than 340,000 travelers faced delays, cancellations or diversions during the disruption. Nearly 3,000 flights across Indonesia felt the impact. Authorities
Low-cost carrier operator Air Arabia announced a strategic expansion of its Southeast Asian operations on Friday, increasing flight frequencies between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Starting October 25, 2026, the airline will introduce a fourth daily non-stop service connecting
Lifestyle
Fresha, a leading global booking platform for lifestyle services, announced today that it has secured a $31 million investment from JP Morgan to enhance its machine learning and AI-driven robotics capabilities. This financial backing will enable Fresha to innovate further within its
Adidas Originals and Highsnobiety, a prominent platform in fashion, design, and culture, have announced the launch of their limited-edition HIGHArt Campus sneaker. This collaboration represents a fusion of art and style, as Highsnobiety’s HIGHArt, an online showcase of products and stories, inspires
In a world where we are inundated with options for almost everything, the name Starbucks stands out as the epitome of coffee culture, connecting billions of people across diverse geographies. How did a single coffeehouse chain from Seattle gain the global notoriety
On August 23, which would have been Kobe Bryant’s birthday, Nike released a revamped classic: the Kobe 8 Protro Halo. This shoe isn’t just another pair of kicks — it’s a tribute to a basketball legend and his “Black Mamba” identity. The release was