Middle East Dominoes are Falling
The rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran has quickly ballooned into the worst conflict in decades between the two countries.
Category: Sector
Oil Fall Continues, Stock Market Rout Deepens
Stock selloff has reached panic levels as oil falls below the psychologically critical level of $30/barrel. WTI futures fell below $30 for contracts expiring in February briefly on Wednesday, before ending the day slightly above at $30.58. The decline was prompted by news that Iran will add 500,000 barrels a day of exports within a week of the removal of sanctions against the country.
The Price of Oil Falls to its Lowest Point Since 2003
Oil fell to its lowest price since 2003 as a supply glut, weakening demand, and a global slowdown in growth makes the fossil fuel less in demand. WTI oil futures fell to near $30 per barrel in a volatile session in which the commodity ranged from $30.41 to $32.22, while rumors have begun that OPEC is planning an emergency meeting on how to manage the supply and price of oil in the face of a constant downward spiral.
10,000 Reasons Why Twitter Needs Something Else
NuOilSuwannar / Shutterstock.com
There are yet unconfirmed reports that Twitter plans to extend its 140-character limit to 10,000. However, why would Twitter consider radically changing its most unique characteristic?
Asian Health Risks Remain Stubbornly High
If you live in Asia and the Pacific, do you ever wonder how high your risk is of contracting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or emerging infectious diseases such as a new strain of avian influenza? Unfortunately, I have to tell you that the risk here is higher than in any other region in the world.
1. South and Southeast Asia are epicenters for antimicrobial resistance
Current Middle East Tension Unlikely to Boost Oil Price
Oil prices jumped on the first trading day of 2016 as Middle East tension outweighed a selloff in financial markets around the world.
OPEC’s 2040 Oil Price Estimate is Sky High, but also Bearish
OPEC says that $10 trillion worth of investment will need to flow into oil and gas through 2040 in order to meet the world’s energy needs. The OPEC published its World Oil Outlook 2015 (WOO) in late December, which struck a much more pessimistic note on the state of oil markets than in the past.
IMF Wary of Iran’s Return to Global Markets and Effect on Oil Prices
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has turned a critical eye to Iran’s return to the international markets following years of economic sanctions that had cut it off from much of the rest of the world. In particular, resurgence in Iranian oil exports in 2016 could have dire consequences for crude oil prices, which have already sunk in price over the last year. According to the IMF, the surge of Iranian oil supply on the market could push down prices by as much as $5 to $15 a barrel.
Microcredit’s ‘Foundation of Sand’
Thirty years ago, the international development community was in a state of high excitement. The perfect market-affirming solution to poverty in developing countries had apparently been found – microcredit, also known as microfinance. This involved giving micro-loans to the poor that allowed them to establish a range of very simple self-employment ventures that would generate income.
Decade Low Oil Pressures Growth, Credit Markets
Oil prices plummeted to their lowest point in 11 years, prompting fears that energy companies will prove unable to pay back loans, which could cause rippling financial weakness throughout the global economy. Brent crude oil prices fell to $36.52 during Monday trading in European markets, while global supplies, especially in the United States, remain at record high levels.
