Crude oil is priced at about $20 a barrel, well below its high of $150 a barrel some 10 years ago. Now that COVID-19 is affecting the whole world the oil price is unlikely to go higher. There is a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, and Saudi is pumping out more oil. Demand is falling. What will happen? Here is an article on the subject by P...
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.
by Lucia Dore The Middle East, like every other world region, has been hard hit by COVID-19. What the numbers are changes each day but, for the most part, the number of infections and the death rates are going up. What we do know is that the novel coronavirus has debilitated countries and individuals all over the world. For the time being, all trav...
COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, is changing the rules of engagement for much of the world. Israel is no exception. Instead of focusing on eliminating the threat from Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, must focus on eliminating the threat from COVID-19. This article explains more. Mazal Mualem March 19, 2020 Article Summary Prime...
The Middle East is tackling the repercussions of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and a falling oil price. As of March 17, 17 Arab countries had reported COVID-19 cases on their government portals and through official state media: Qatar: 439 cases; Egypt: 166 cases and 4 deaths; Bahrain: 147 cases and 1 death; Kuwait: 130 cases; Iraq: 124 cases and 9 deaths;...
Social media has been pressured to do more in the form of preventing objectionable content. This press release talks about how New Zealand companies are at the forefront of this movement. Three of the world's largest social media companies are being pressured to do more to prevent objectionable content spreading across their platforms in the wake o...
It's impossible not to read about COVID-19, or coronavirus, as the world deals with its contagion. The result of its spread has been terrible. It shows how interconnected the world is, and the economic repercussions, along with the health ones, are huge. Airlines in all countries and tourist-based industries, as some examples, are likely to go bust...
It's impossible not to read about COVID-19, or coronavirus, as the world deals with its contagion. The result of its spread has been terrible. It shows how interconnected the world is, and the economic repercussions, along with the health ones, are huge. Airlines in all countries and tourist-based industries, as some examples, are likely to go bust...
Dominating the news, and much of everything else is COVID-19 or coronavirus. The Middle East has been hit, especially Iran, but not as badly as Italy which is the worst hit country in Europe. Iraq too is struggling and some Iraqis are rejecting coronavirus warnings. This article explains the situation there. Dana Taib Menmy March 12, 2020 The Kurdi...
The Middle East, like other regions, is struggling with COVID-19 (coronavirus). How is the virus affecting work practices? This article explores this issue. Has the world gone mad? Is the world's response to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) proportionate to the risks? While the answers to these questions can be debated, the facts are simple. At ...
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...
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...