Business

    Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Trade, met with international officials and commercial delegates in Abu Dhabi to evaluate mechanisms to expand trade ties across priority sectors. The official discussions centered on

    The international financial community maintains a highly positive outlook on the economic trajectory of the United Arab Emirates. Recent macroeconomic assessments published by the World Bank Group indicate that the sovereign state will experience robust expansion over the next two

    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.

    Bullion faced renewed selling pressure across international trading desks as global commodity markets digested a quarter-point interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Spot gold declined 1 percent to $4,249 per ounce, hitting multi-session lows under the weight of

    Sports

    Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland lead the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers released the nominees on September 8 ahead of the October 26 ceremony in London. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and Vinícius Júnior also

    Lionel Messi has retired from international football, closing a 21-year senior career with Argentina. The 39-year-old captain finishes as his country’s record scorer with 125 goals in 207 appearances. He also holds Argentina’s record for senior international appearances. Messi led

    Spain reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday, as Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute at Dallas Stadium. The substitute took a pass from Ferran Torres and finished low past Diogo Costa.

    Norway reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after beating Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 on Sunday. Erling Haaland scored twice late at New York New Jersey Stadium. Brazil, the five-time champion, exited before the

    Spain moved into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, and Pedro Porro added the other goal. The result ended Austria’s campaign in

    Mexico advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday. The co-host beat Ecuador 2-0 at Mexico City Stadium. Julián Quiñones scored in the 22nd minute. Raúl Jiménez added the second goal nine minutes later.