(opens original source in a new tab)South China Morning PostChina’s domestic demand further weakens in July, analysts bet on extra stimulusChina’s economic imbalances continued to deepen in July, as sluggish retail sales and a fixed-asset investment slump highlighted persistent weakness in domestic demand, with analysts expecting more policy stimulus from Beijing to stave off downside risks. Retail sales, a major gauge of consumer spending, grew by 0.6 per cent year on year last month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday. The lacklustre reading missed a 1.3 per cent rise forecast by... (opens original source in a new tab)Xinyi Wu,Sherry Wang·17 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)Startup DailyHotels customer acquisition platform Visaible.ai finds room for $1 millionVisaible.ai bags $1M to stop hotels vanishing in ChatGPT-era travel search, using AI agents fix listings and protect direct bookings. (opens original source in a new tab)Simon Thomsen·17 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)African BusinessAfrica's AI moment: Is Africa ready to reap the economic benefits of AI? (opens original source in a new tab)17 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)ScienceDailyScientists tracked kids for 8 years — the screen time result was unexpectedAn eight-year Finnish study found that children who spent more time on screens tended to show better cognitive processing as teenagers, challenging common assumptions about screen use. Researchers say the key may be balancing physical activity with screen activities that encourage learning, creativity, and active thinking. (opens original source in a new tab)17 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)South China Morning PostAI chipmaker Biren projects up to 22-fold revenue surge amid China’s hi-tech boomChinese artificial intelligence chipmaker Biren Technology projects that its first-half revenue could shoot up by up to 2,107 per cent amid the AI hardware boom, joining industry peers like Hygon Information Technology and Cambricon Technologies in reporting accelerating demand for home-grown chips. The Shanghai-based graphics processing unit (GPU) maker, which debuted on the Hong Kong stock exchange in January, estimated revenue for the first six months of 2026 to reach between 1.15 billion... (opens original source in a new tab)Ann Cao·17 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)African BusinessPower transmission: Africa's biggest energy challenge and opportunity (opens original source in a new tab)17 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)African BusinessMaking asset recycling work for Africa (opens original source in a new tab)17 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)WamdaPinnacle launches VC fund to back Saudi growth companies, secondary dealsSaudi Arabia-based Pinnacle has launched a venture capital fund focused on growth-stage and secondary investments in the Kingdom. The fund will invest in Saudi technology companies through primary funding rounds and secondary transactions, targeting established growth companies while providing additional liquidity to the venture ecosystem. It will primarily target fintech, e-commerce, health and lifestyle, and technology businesses that address urban living, mobility, and real estate. Pinnacle, (opens original source in a new tab)17 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)WamdaPrivate equity can help write MENA’s next growth chapterAmong the most pressing challenges facing policymakers and business leaders across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is creating high-quality jobs for the region’s young and growing population. By 2050, nearly 300 million young people in MENA are expected to be seeking employment, according to the World Bank. Meeting a challenge of this scale will require more than creating jobs at the margins. It will require stronger private-sector growth that raises productivity, supports economic (opens original source in a new tab)17 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)AGBIADQ seeks to increase stake in AD Ports to 100%Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding (ADQ) is seeking to increase its shareholding in Abu Dhabi Ports Company to 100 percent through a voluntary conditional cash offer. ADQ, a unit of L’imad, an Abu Dhabi sovereign investment holding company, currently holds 75.42 percent of the Abu Dhabi-listed ports operator. AD Ports listed its shares on the Abu Dhabi […] (opens original source in a new tab)Pramod Kumar·17 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)SmartCompanyFrom the cost of living to nostalgia: Why Ooshies became such a hit in 2026No one factor made Woolworths' latest Ooshies giveaway a national success, but the promotion can still teach other businesses a key lesson. The post From the cost of living to nostalgia: Why Ooshies became such a hit in 2026 appeared first on SmartCompany. (opens original source in a new tab)David Adams·17 August 2026