KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced the launch of its new “WAMD” service for transferring money using a phone number via the bank’s mobile app. This service is designed to be easy, fast, and secure.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, US: Google on Tuesday unveiled new Pixel 9 smartphones, its latest salvo in the scramble by Big Tech to corner the market on nascent artificial intelligence.

WASHINGTON: US consumer inflation eased slightly in July, according to government data published Wednesday, its smallest 12-month increase since March 2021 and a positive sign for the Federal Reserve as it weighs cutting interest rates.

SINGAPORE: Singapore on Tuesday upgraded its economic growth forecast for this year after beating expectations in the second quarter and on optimism that the manufacturing sector will gradually recover.

BEIJING: China’s bank lending tumbled more than expected in July, hitting the lowest in nearly 15 years, dragged down by tepid credit demand and seasonal factors and raising expectations that the central bank may dole out more easing steps.

HONG KONG: Global investors are turning bearish on once-favored Japanese stocks following last week’s turbulence as they reassess economic prospects and the viability of yen-funded trades.

NEW DELHI: Reliance and Walt Disney have offered to sell some channels to win faster antitrust approval for their $8.5 billion India media assets merger, but are resisting changes to cricket broadcast rights they own, two sources familiar with the matter said.

PARIS: Global oil demand growth slowed in the second quarter of the year, primarily due to softer construction and industrial activity in China, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday.

NEW YORK: Starbucks said Tuesday that Brian Niccol, chief executive at Chipotle, would be the coffee chain’s new CEO — just over a year after current boss Laxman Narasimhan took over the role.