We must act fast and decisively to save Libya’s rebels March 17, 2011 YET again, we are at war. By the time this newspaper hits the streets this morning, airstrikes against Libya may already have started, led by the UK, France and perhaps others, including the US, members of the Arab League, and Canada. Just after 10:30pm last night, the United Nations Security Council voted 10-0, with five [...]
Wall St rises despite Middle East unrest February 17, 2011 US investors piled on a dizzying two-year advance in stocks yesterday, using a brief slip on negative economic news as an opportunity to buy into market leaders. The technology sector showed strength, with Nvidia up 9.8 per cent to $25.68 a day after posting a bullish revenue forecast on accelerating sales of its processors. An [...]
Western oilcos move to end trade with Iran June 28, 2010 Iran faced growing economic pressure yesterday after two Western oil firms halted business with it, and a Gulf Arab country seen as a trade lifeline for Tehran moved to freeze some Iranian-linked bank accounts. The developments underlined the major oil producer’s increasing international isolation over a nuclear programme it says is aimed at generating electricity [...]
Western oilcos move to end trade with Iran June 28, 2010 Iran faced growing economic pressure yesterday after two Western oil firms halted business with it, and a Gulf Arab country seen as a trade lifeline for Tehran moved to freeze some Iranian-linked bank accounts. The developments underlined the major oil producer’s increasing international isolation over a nuclear programme it says is aimed at generating electricity [...]
Companies stuck in the Middle East mayhem must act swiftly March 1, 2011 WHILE the headlines from north Africa and the Middle East speak of the human toll and the fate of Britons, the threat to British companies who have contracts in the region which generate substantial revenue remain near the top of company agendas. Having spent 30 years working in Middle Eastern business and law, including in [...]
Companies stuck in the Middle East mayhem must act swiftly March 1, 2011 WHILE the headlines from north Africa and the Middle East speak of the human toll and the fate of Britons, the threat to British companies who have contracts in the region which generate substantial revenue remain near the top of company agendas. Having spent 30 years working in Middle Eastern business and law, including in [...]
The paradox of plenty strikes again February 23, 2011 IT is the paradox of plenty: countries that are amply endowed with natural resources, such as oil or diamonds, tend to suffer from extreme misgovernment, poverty and misery. Iran and Libya are cases in point. Countries that start off with little or no natural endowments – such as Hong Kong – and are forced to [...]
Fear and loathing stalk the global financial markets March 15, 2011 EVERYTHING always seems to go wrong at the same time. Global investors are always extraordinarily naïve about geopolitics and natural disasters; they have suddenly awoken from their stupor and realised that the world is a much more dangerous place that they thought. The earthquake in Japan, a devastating catastrophe for that country, was the tipping [...]
S&P 500 bounces after Dell results February 16, 2011 THE S&P 500 rose yesterday to twice its value from just two years ago, in a bounce that showed vigour not seen since the Great Depression. Stocks were boosted by Dell’s earnings and deal announcements that fuelled hopes for gains, but light volume made the move more tenuous. The market overcame concerns about tensions between [...]
S&P 500 bounces after Dell results February 16, 2011 THE S&P 500 rose yesterday to twice its value from just two years ago, in a bounce that showed vigour not seen since the Great Depression. Stocks were boosted by Dell’s earnings and deal announcements that fuelled hopes for gains, but light volume made the move more tenuous. The market overcame concerns about tensions between [...]