Global stock markets faltered Wednesday as China-U.S. trade tensions simmered ahead of the introduction of new tariffs.

Saudi Arabia has replaced the CEO of its NEOM mega city project less than a year after the unveiling of the $500 billion venture billed as a regional Silicon Valley.

At the market in the Jordanian town of Ramtha hope is rising that the Syrian regime's territorial gains just across the border might help bring business back to life.

Australia's central bank kept interest rates on hold for its 21st-straight meeting Tuesday as consumer spending and inflation remain weak, while it also cited uncertainty about global trade tensions.

The US Commerce Department recommended against approval of China Mobile's seven year old application to enter the domestic market on Monday, citing national security concerns.

All oil exports from Libya's east have been suspended after operations halted at two key ports, the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation said Monday, in a further blow to the vital sector.
The NOC said a crisis following military strongman Khalifa Haftar's recapture of ports in Libya's oil crescent last month has slashed production, previously estimated at one million barrels a day, by 850,000 bpd.

The European Union warned on Monday that up to $294 billion worth of US exports would face counter-measures if President Donald Trump went through on its threat to slap duties on auto imports.

British petroleum giant BP has started operating a $28-billion pipeline in Azerbaijan to supply gas to Turkey and elsewhere in Europe, the company said in a statement on Monday.

Chinese stocks closed down sharply on Monday, with investors selling on weaker-than-expected economic data and nervously eyeing the next phase in the US-China trade dispute.

Iran vowed Sunday to defeat U.S. efforts to block its oil exports and warned rival producer Saudi Arabia it would never take Tehran's "place" on the international oil market.
