Blog-Journal

The Messy Truth: Australia’s Reputation in Southeast Asia

A spicy commentary published by the Lowy Institute—a prominent Sydney-based think tank—recalibrates the relationship between Australia and Southeast Asia. “Shared prosperity” and “deepening engagement” may mean something quite different in Canberra, than Hanoi or Kuala Lumpur. Bilateral grievances center on immigration policies and business standards. The author argues that Australia runs the risk of becoming […]

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Saudi Arabia Mints Grocery-Delivery Unicorn

Riyadh-based Ninja achieves unicorn status with a new funding round, led by Riyad Capital. The three-year-old venture taps into demand for quick-delivery consumer goods across the Kingdom, as well as neighboring Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Its at-hand products include potato chips and blueberries, as well as milk and laundry detergent, among thousands of other items. […]

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Hong Kong Becomes an IPO Crossroads

In the business of initial public offerings, the global market may be faltering, but primary listing activity in Hong Kong is buoyant. We can point to market-specific factors for this divergence, but we wonder if there is a single overarching theme in play. Could corporate issuers be rewarding Beijing for predictability and stability, at least […]

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Colored Diamonds Bring New Focus to the Gemstone Industry

The Natural Diamond Council focuses on colored diamonds to differentiate natural stones from lab-grown ones. Buoyant auction prices for vivid and intense stones—supported by global economic turmoil—draws further attention to this segment of the business. As the trade group for major players, including De Beers and Petra, the Natural Diamond Council is the industry heavyweight. […]

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Startup Mitigates Expansive Student-Debt Crisis

Cranganore Inc announces its market-development and investor-positioning mandate with Defynance Holdings, Inc. The US-based startup helps borrowers refinance their student-loan exposure. “We believe that a dismantling of the Department of Education creates enormous opportunities for the private-sector to address imbalances in this corner of financial services,” according to Douglas Johnson, Managing Director at Cranganore. “Exposure […]

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Consumer Gold Focus Is Leading Price Indicator

Americans are going bonkers over gold, both on the supply and demand side. Many are digging deep into their family vaults to sell heirloom pieces as scrap, while others are hoarding gold over anxiety and fear. The net impact is a frenzy of activity in the retail market that has not been seen since the […]

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New Aga Khan Inherits Estate Worth $13 Billion

Aswan, Egypt was busier than usual in February, when the Aga Khan IV, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, was buried there in the family mausoleum. Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan died at the age of 88 on February 4. His final resting place, a distinctive pink-granite structure overlooking the Nile, was built in the 1950s […]

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With Ceasefire Agreement, Traffic Starts to Rebound on Suez Canal

Commercial shipping between the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean begins to see more normal patterns, as once-looming Houthi rebels suspend their unconventional, if not deadly, toll practices at Bab al-Mandab. The head of the Suez Canal Authority affirms that as many as 50 vessels adjusted their itineraries to pass through the waterway in February, rather than […]

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