Al Jaber calls Iran's Strait of Hormuz blockade "economic terrorism" during U.S. tour
Sultan Al Jaber, director general of ADNOC, delivered some of his sharpest remarks yet against Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz during an intensive week of speeches and meetings in the United States, describing the weaponisation of the waterway as economic terrorism against all nations and warning that consumers worldwide are already......
Freeport LNG CEO warns Iran war risks delaying US export projects
The Middle East war now threatens to slow US liquefied natural gas export capacity expansion. It disrupts one-fifth of global supply and spikes prices in Europe and Asia. Freeport LNG CEO Michael Smith warned Wednesday at S&P Global's CERAWeek conference in Houston. Supply chain issues from the US-Israeli war on Iran could delay new......
Commodity ETFs see record $11 billion outflows in March
Investors pulled about $11 billion from commodity exchange-traded funds in March 2026. This marks the largest monthly withdrawal on record, per Bloomberg Intelligence data on roughly 100 ETFs in precious metals and broad commodities. The exodus reverses billions in inflows from weeks earlier amid geopolitics, Treasury yield spikes, and leveraged......
EBRD warns Iran war may cut growth by 0.4 points
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development cautioned Tuesday that the ongoing Middle East conflict threatens economic growth across its regions. Higher energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and tighter financial conditions pose risks. Forecasts could drop 0.4 percentage points if oil prices stay elevated. In its report "Potential......
AGR cuts Maroc Telecom target price as investment cycle pressures dividends
Attijari Global Research has maintained a hold recommendation on Maroc Telecom while lowering its target price to 100 dirhams from 110 dirhams, citing a more demanding financial environment shaped by heavier capital spending and reduced dividend generosity. The research house acknowledges the operator's structural resilience but flags......
Kyushu researchers exceed solar cell efficiency limit with 130% quantum yield
Researchers at Japan's Kyushu University have shown a way to generate more energy carriers from sunlight than photons absorbed. They achieved about 130% quantum yield, surpassing a longstanding physical limit in solar energy conversion. The findings, published March 25 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, offer proof-of-concept......
Manal Benchlikha balances stardom and motherhood with bold authenticity
Manal Benchlikha commands attention in Morocco's music scene. Born September 18, 1993, she grew up between Casablanca and Marrakech. She taught herself guitar through YouTube tutorials in her bedroom. She sang softly to stay unnoticed. She wrote original songs in a worn notebook. She rehearsed before mirrors, picturing packed venues. Her......
Othman Benjelloun: Building trust drop by drop in African banking
Othman Benjelloun stands as a cornerstone of Morocco's business landscape. Born in 1933 in Fez, he rose from humble family roots to lead one of Africa's largest banking groups. His journey reflects patience, ethical leadership, and a focus on long-term relationships over quick gains. Roots in Fez shape a financial empire Benjelloun......
Used EV sales surge across Europe as Iran war spikes fuel prices
Europeans rush toward used electric vehicles as Iran war-driven gasoline price spikes bite. Online car sales platforms report sharp demand increases continent-wide. Consumers seek cheaper, immediate EV alternatives amid fuel cost surges. The conflict began February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. These disrupted the Strait of Hormuz,......
Nadia Fettah Alaoui: Morocco's steady hand at the finance helm
Nadia Fettah Alaoui has emerged as a pivotal figure in Morocco's economic leadership. Born in 1971 in Rabat, she built a career blending business acumen with public service. Her journey from Casablanca's business circles to the finance ministry showcases a quiet determination that resonates widely. From business leader to policy shaper Fettah......
Bridgewater weathers macro hedge fund rout amid Iran war
March proved brutal for major global macro hedge funds as fallout from US-Israeli strikes on Iran rocked world markets. Bridgewater Associates largely sidestepped the damage. Its flagship $92 billion Pure Alpha strategy fell less than 1 percent for the month through last Friday, a person familiar with the fund told Business Insider. Rivals......
War in Iran disrupts $19 billion used car trade in Asia
US and Israeli military strikes on Iran since February 28 have thrown Asia's $19 billion used car export industry into disarray. Ships avoid the Middle East, stranding cargoes at sea and overwhelming ports from Sri Lanka to China. Dealers feel the impact acutely. Umar Ali Hyder Ali runs Yokohama-based Kobe Motor, which ships about 18,000......
Rice University researchers recover 95% of battery metals using plasma and citric acid
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new lithium-ion battery recycling method that recovers nearly 95 percent of valuable metals by combining microwave-induced plasma with citric acid, the same compound found in lemons. The patented process, published in the journal Advanced Materials, offers a less energy-intensive and chemically......
China's alcohol ban at official events triggers global wine market crisis
China's once-robust appetite for imported wine has collapsed, and a Communist Party directive banning alcohol at government and official functions has deepened the damage, leaving producers from France to Australia managing unsold inventory and sharply declining demand. In May 2025, Beijing renewed and tightened regulations on excessive......
UK eyes museum entry fees for foreign tourists
The UK government actively considers charging international visitors entry to major national museums and galleries. This would end 25 years of universal free access at sites like the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate. The Guardian reported Wednesday ministers eye fees to shore up struggling cultural sector funding. The government......