Despite the coronavirus outbreak, sovereign wealth funds are still investing. On this press release from the NZ Super Fund it tells of how it has agreed to acquire a significant waterfront land holding in east Auckland, including the Formosa Golf Course. The NZ Super Fund and parties associated with Russell Property Group have agreed to acquire a s...
New Zealand PM bows out
Here's an article from The Economist which, while talking about John Key's resignation, states that NZ is "one of the most successful countries in the world. While this is debatable, there is no doubt that Key has had successes- namely international recognition- along with failures, housing, immigration and the environment. We have yet to see whether the new Prime Minister, John English, will have the same success.
The coronavirus or COVID-19 that is sweeping the world is resulting in a severe government crackdown in many countries, including across the Middle East. Sixty countries have now reported cases of the virus. As well as people self-isolating, working from home and wearing facemasks (which may not work if incorrectly used or worn), gathering in publi...
So many people are reacting negatively to the spread of coronavirus (or rather COVID-19), especially when it comes to the share markets (which are highly volatile now) that it is difficult to know if you are doing the right thing. This article answers some of the questions you may have. The NZ Super Fund says market volatility has returned followin...
How Qatar's isolation from the other Gulf states and what it means for Trump's Middle East Peace Plan are both discussed in the article below. Qatar and Jordan are making big strides in their relationship too. Osama Al Sharif February 28, 2020 in Al Monitor Jordan, Qatar close ranks following emir's visit Aside from the economic benefits for Jordan...
Saudi Arabia is involved increasingly in Libya, supporting the Libyan National Army chieftain Khalifa Hifter. The UAE has been the main supporter of Hifter, financially as well as militarily. Saudi Arabia is stepping up its support to counter Turkey's influence, according to an article in Al Monitor. Here it is. Saudi Arabia is stepping up its supp...
Medical and health tourism is increasingly appealing to many people, young and old, in developed countries. The Middle East is no exception. In an emirate such as Dubai, Healthcare City has high-tech hospitals, medical teaching centres and spas- even though there are many throughout the city. But is Dubai attracting people from other countries in t...
by Lucia Dore Artificial intelligence, or AI as it is commonly known, includes machine learning as well as robots. Developments will affect how we learn, live and play and should help to make life easier for the older generation by combating disease, for example. Robots might also be employed for cleaning. PwC (2017) predicts significant economic i...
NZ Super Fund reports strong performance for 2019; constrained investment environment ahead forecast
For anyone who is interested in finding out want the NZ Superfund is up to here is the latest about its performance in 2019. The NZ Super Fund expects a slightly less turbulent market environment in the near term, following an eventful 2019. The Fund has reported a strong 2019 calendar year performance return of 21.13 percent (unaudited, before NZ ...
Becoming an entrepreneur when you are over 50 is a plus, in all countries. Research shows that such entrepreneurs have a higher likelihood of success. Here is what I wrote for Behavioural Shift ( www.behaviouralshift.com ). This article looks at why people over 50 should become entrepreneurs. "Senior" entrepreneurship- entrepreneurs who are over 50...
The likelihood of war between the US and Iran has become less likely now that the Republican-held Senate has ruled against Trump waging war on Iran without Senate approval. In Al Monitor The Republican-held Senate passed a resolution 55-45 today to constrain President Donald Trump from initiating offensive military action against Iran, likely setti...
The Middle East Peace Plan as proposed by the US is still under discussion- but not by the Palestinians who have dismissed the proposal entirely. It is up to Europe to give them a better plan. When will Europe propose genuine peace plan for Israel, Palestinians? Yossi Beilin February 10, 2020 Article Summary If the European Union wants to stay rele...
Living in the Middle East, and being a journalist, has made me aware of censorship. Even the simplest things irk the authorities but one that irks the most is saying something that does not agree with them. That perhaps is not unusual. It is an issue not only across the region, but it has also become a problem globally, including in the US. If you ...
Much has been said against the Middle East Peace deal and why it doesn't work for Palestinians. Much of the world is against it, including the EU, and Yemen too. The Yemenis, despite the ongoing war, still concentrate on the Palestinian cause and continue to support the country, even donating money. I have much sympathy for the Yemenis, having spen...
This article explores some of the problems that may occur as a person ages and what you can do about it. The problem affects all people, everywhere. As people age their movement changes. But how? "We tend to stoop as we get older. We look down more than up, an indicator that we are not so comfortable on our feet (compared with younger people) says ...
Mike Moore, who died on 2 February 2020 aged 71, was a former NZ Prime Minister (although that was short-lived at 59 days) and a former director general of the WTO. He was charming, witting and engaging and an excellent person to interview. I interviewed him in 2007 when he was in Dubai and I was at Khaleej Times. Here is what he said. FTAs pr...
The much-heralded Middle East Peace Plan from the US will be released today (Tuesday 28 January). Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's beleaguered Prime Minister is at the White House for the announcement. No one from the Palestinians have been invited to the White House and no one from the Palestinians was involved in putting it together. This, despite th...
I wrote this for Behavioural Shift (www.behaviouralshift.com) What can the "darling doyens" – (well, post 50) expect from the coming year? What does Behavioral Shift predict? (1) Employment: We are likely to see a greater number of older people in the work force over the next decade, starting from this year, in the most developed societies. More pe...
I often get asked about Iran and the US and if the two will engage in war. Yes, is the answer, over time. The shooting down of a Ukrainian aircraft carrying many Iranians, many of whom lived in Canada, has merely delayed the inevitable. A US war with Iran. After living in the Middle East for some years and writing about the politics of the region, ...
Lebanon has a new government, finally. This was announced only a few hours ago. But have the protestors, who wanted an end to corruption and nepotism, really won? Is the new government significantly different from the old one? Al Jazeera reported the new government like this. Lebanon has formed a new government, its presidency announced after Hezbo...
Lebanon is in political and economic turmoil. The protests against corrupt governments continue and have turned violent. Poverty is a way of life in Lebanon now and cash can now be withdrawn up to USD 300 a month, not enough for businesses, and many individuals, to survive. Many Lebanese live abroad, in the UAE, the US and the UK in particular. How...