WASHINGTON: Retail sales in the United States were flat in April, government data showed Wednesday, despite analyst expectations that they would continue growing and in a sign that consumer spending is cooling.

DOHA: Qatar expects to sign more long-term natural gas supply deals this year to meet growing international demand, Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi said on Wednesday.

LONDON: Russia’s economy will grow further this year despite Western sanctions over its Ukraine invasion, while Zionist entity’s war against Hamas in Gaza will weigh on neighboring nations, Europe’s development bank forecast Wednesday.

BRASÍLIA, Brazil: The CEO of Brazil’s state oil company Petrobras has been sacked, the government announced Tuesday. The move follows a recent spat between Petrobras and shareholders over dividend payments, which heightened concerns about the government’s influence in the publicly traded company’s decision-making.

WASHINGTON, May 15 (KUNA) -- The US Dept. of Labor said Wednesday the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.4 percent in March.

KUWAIT, May 15 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Minister of State for Communication Affairs Omar Al-Omar said Wednesday that developing smart government system to improve business environment and attract investments is one of the ministry's priorities.

KUWAIT, May 15 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's National Real Estate Company (NREC) announced that its net profits reached KD 2.9 million (approximately USD 9.4 million) in the first quarter of 2024, with dividends per share amounting to 1.62 fils.

CAIRO, May 15 (KUNA) -- Egypt has received USD 14 billion from the UAE as the second payment for the development of Ras al-Hikma City, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said Wednesday.

CAIRO, May 15 (KUNA) -- A senior official said on Wednesday that the European Union has earmarked USD 1.9 billion worth of investments in Egypt's private sector.