Regional civil unrest causes commodities price surge



Inflationary concerns and continued civil unrest in Bahrain, Yemen and Iran caused a surge in commodities.

Gold rose the most in almost four weeks after China's statistic bureau reported that consumer prices rose 4.9 per cent in January from a year earlier. The bullion, traded on the London Metals Exchange, gained as much as 0.8 per cent to $1372.98 an ounce, the highest since January 19.

Brent Crude added as much as 0.9 per cent fuelled by protests in Iran, Opec's second largest producer after Saudi Arabia, in addition to demonstrations in Bahrain and Yemen. Crude futures for April rose to $103.08, the highest settlement since September 2008.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange General Index gained 0.1 per cent to 2715.91. Traded value on the Abu Dhabi bourse reached Dh79.1 million.

Dana Gas, the gas explorer and producer, declined 1.4 per cent to 69 fils. Aldar Properties declined 1.1 per cent to Dh1.80. Sorouh Real Estate lost 1.5 per cent to Dh1.30.

The Dubai Financial Market General Index rose 0.5 per cent to 1615.82. Air Arabia, which added 0.4 per cent to 84 fils, was the most actively traded stock on the Dubai bourse. Drake and Scull International, the second biggest contractor in Dubai, declined 0.8 per cent to Dh1.13.

Elsewhere in the region, Kuwait's measure declined 0.1 per cent to 6651.40. Bahrain's index added 0.1 per cent to 1470.12. Oman's bourse remained flat at 6994.92. Qatar's measure gained 0.5 per cent to 8981.10. The Saudi Tadawul All-Share Index lost 0.2 per cent to 6606.05.

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others

On the menu

First course

▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water  

▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle

Second course

▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo

▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa

Third course

▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro

▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis

Dessert

▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate

▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
 

THE SPECS

Battery: 60kW lithium-ion phosphate
Power: Up to 201bhp
0 to 100kph: 7.3 seconds
Range: 418km
Price: From Dh149,900
Available: Now

Top 10 most competitive economies

1. Singapore
2. Switzerland
3. Denmark
4. Ireland
5. Hong Kong
6. Sweden
7. UAE
8. Taiwan
9. Netherlands
10. Norway

SECRET INVASION

Director: Ali Selim
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Olivia Coleman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emilia Clarke
Rating: 3/5

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

What to watch out for:

Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways

The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof

The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history

Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure

Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

Dengue fever symptoms
  • High fever
  • Intense pain behind your eyes
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle and joint pains
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Swollen glands
  • Rash

If symptoms occur, they usually last for two-seven days

Specs: 2024 McLaren Artura Spider

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor
Max power: 700hp at 7,500rpm
Max torque: 720Nm at 2,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100km/h: 3.0sec
Top speed: 330kph
Price: From Dh1.14 million ($311,000)
On sale: Now

A QUIET PLACE

Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Rating: 4/5

match info

Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')

Liverpool 0

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Haltia.ai
Started: 2023
Co-founders: Arto Bendiken and Talal Thabet
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: AI
Number of employees: 41
Funding: About $1.7 million
Investors: Self, family and friends

The specs

Common to all models unless otherwise stated

Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi

0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)

Power: 276hp

Torque: 392Nm

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD

Price: TBC

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

The specs

Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 190hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm from 1,800-5,000rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 6.7L/100km
Price: From Dh111,195
On sale: Now

Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House


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