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Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments

Thames Water has unveiled intends to push back over around £12 billion of its debts due until March 2028 in a move giving the stricken supplier vital breathing space as it looks to secure a rescue deal. The UK’s biggest water group – which is struggling under a debt mountain of over £20 billion – stated the planned deal will extend repayments on debts that were due in March 2027 for another year.

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Bleems adds UFFF toys and collectibles through Kuwait partnership

Kuwaiti gifting platform Bleems has partnered with toy and collectibles retailer UFFF, making selected products available for same-day delivery through the Bleems app.

Kuwait minister urges focus on investment quality and development impact

Kuwait’s Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq told an investment forum in Doha that sustainable growth depends on investment quality, technology transfer, productivity and stronger private-sector participation.

Kuwait regulators broaden beneficial-owner data cooperation

Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority and Ministry of Commerce and Industry amended their cooperation agreement to improve the accuracy and exchange of beneficial-owner information.

Succession pressures put Gulf family companies at a crossroads

Gulf family-owned companies face growing succession and governance risks as large fortunes pass to second and third generations without clear ownership plans.

IMF sees regional economy shrinking 1.3% in 2026 amid Iran war

The IMF expects output across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan to contract 1.3% in 2026 as the Iran war disrupts energy, shipping, tourism and confidence.

QNB expands cross-border funding for AI and digital infrastructure

QNB Group used its international network during the third quarter to finance AI computing, data centres, fibre networks, sovereign borrowing and business expansion across several markets.

France's Le Pen launches presidential bid vowing to restore 'rule of law'

Marine Le Pen, France's far-right candidate to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, kicked off her campaign Sunday vowing to "restore the rule of law" if elected next year.

J&K Bank raises accident cover for government employees to ₹1 crore

A five-year agreement expands insurance, disability and family benefits for permanent Jammu and Kashmir government staff while adding loan and banking concessions.

Technical outlook diverges for Bharti Airtel, PFC, REC and Alkyl Amines

Technical analysis sees recovery potential in Bharti Airtel but continuing downside risks for PFC, REC and Alkyl Amines Chemicals.

IRDAI gives stakeholders until October 31 to comment on distribution reforms

India’s insurance regulator extended its consultation after receiving more than 650 comments on proposals affecting commissions and management expenses.

Kuwait legal department reviews new commercial concealment law

The Fatwa and Legislation Department opened its second annual legal cultural season with a discussion of Kuwait’s new anti-concealment rules.

KIB Group nine-month profit rises 30% to KD 26.6 million

Kuwait International Bank reported higher profit, operating income and financing assets for the first nine months of 2026, alongside a $500 million sukuk issue.

Doha opens ninth World Investment Forum focused on future investment

The ninth World Investment Forum opened in Doha under the theme “Investing in the Future,” bringing together government, business and investment leaders for three days of talks.

Demonstrators wounded as Portugal police clear housing protest camps

Portuguese police again cleared tents set up by protesters against skyrocketing housing prices overnight Sunday, with organisers criticising the brutality of the officers involved.

Far-right leader Le Pen kicks off presidency tilt in wake of France protests

Marine Le Pen, France's far-right candidate to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in elections in six months, was to give her first campaign speech on Sunday, a day after protests sweeping the country again flared into violence.

Musk accuses Ukraine of violating Starlink's terms of service

Tech tycoon Elon Musk accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating Starlink's terms of service by using it for "drone strikes to kill people", after tension between Washington and Kyiv over disruptions to the SpaceX-made network crucial to the Ukrainian army's operations.

25,000 rally in Madrid demanding state pension guarantees

Authorities said 25,000 people marched through central Madrid on Saturday demanding protection for the Spanish state pension scheme, one of the hot topics in a parliamentary election next month.

Police fire tear gas as new French demonstrations kick off

French police started firing tear gas at protesters Saturday as they stepped up security in major cities aiming to prevent a repeat of rioting a week ago, on a day of fresh nationwide demonstrations over the high cost of living.

France to deploy 70,000 police for fresh weekend protests

France will deploy about 70,000 police nationwide as it braces for new protests on Saturday after some of the worst urban violence in years erupted on the sidelines of demonstrations a week ago.

As Israeli election nears, campaign turns ugly

Days ahead of close-fought Israeli elections, campaigns have gone into overdrive with poor-taste jibes and inflammatory attacks against candidates, sometimes crossing red lines.

France to deploy 70,000 police as students urge further protests

France will deploy some 70,000 police nationwide as it braces for new protests this weekend after some of the worst urban violence in years erupted on the sidelines of demonstrations a week ago, the government said Friday.

Romania blames Russia for new deadly attack on ship

Romania said Friday one sailor had died and three were missing after a ship was struck by a drone and sank in the latest attack in the Black Sea that President Nicusor Dan blamed on Russia.

'Call of Duty' seeks to win back fans with warfare spectacle

The latest instalment in the "Call of Duty" video game franchise, arriving Friday, brings back the high-adrenaline action that fuelled its success in an effort to revitalise a series that has been losing momentum.

Volvo Cars shares plunge on losses, job cuts

Shares in Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars plunged Friday after it said US tariffs and strong competition from local brands in China pushed it into a third-quarter loss.

Kering shares tumble as Gucci fails to reassure investors

Kering shares were down more than 10 percent in Paris Friday after the French luxury group published results that failed to reassure investors about a turnaround at its key Gucci brand.

How five Boeing 777s linked Madagascar's power elite to Iran

Once among Madagascar's most influential businessmen and a close ally of deposed president Andry Rajoelina, Mamy Ravatomanga stands at the centre of one of the island's most explosive corruption cases.

India stirs up its gastronomy with French cooking schools

Fiercely proud of its culinary traditions, India is increasingly open to foreign influences, with French cooking schools attracting students eager to make their mark on the country's growing fine-dining sector.

Asian stocks head into weekend on a low as tech extends losses

Asian stocks sank again Friday as tech firms took another beating from investors increasingly losing faith in the sector, with the traditional safe haven yen and government bonds benefiting from the risk-off mood.

370 books in 20 months: S.African author defends her use of AI

South African writer Coral Hart has published more than 370 books since February 2025 using artificial intelligence, a process she passionately defends despite criticism and threats.

How are Ukraine strikes, Mideast war driving US fuel prices?

Ahead of next month's midterm US elections, Donald Trump has increasingly blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for surging energy prices back home, which are causing the president political headaches.

Napa Valley's wineries feel Trump's tariff squeeze

Napa Valley rocketed to international fame when its vintages shocked French rivals in a high-profile blind tasting contest that instantly turned the California corner into a wine-lovers' destination.

Musk wants to merge SpaceX and Tesla: Here's what to know

Elon Musk said this week that SpaceX and Tesla have formed special committees to study a merger of his two biggest companies.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)