分类： business

The diamond industry is undergoing a seismic shift as Astrea, a pioneering lab-grown diamond brand co-led by Nathalie Morrison and Sarah Jessica Parker, prepares to launch in Dubai. The brand is set to challenge a century-old narrative that mined diamonds are inherently superior, rare, and more authentic than their lab-grown counterparts. Astrea’s claim is bold: its lab-grown diamonds, representing the top 0.01% of global quality, surpass the precision and performance of many mined stones. As Nathalie Morrison asserts, even gemologists cannot distinguish between the two with the naked eye or a loupe. This revelation is reshaping consumer perceptions, particularly among younger buyers who prioritize sustainability, transparency, and value over traditional notions of rarity. Lab-grown diamonds, which share the same chemical, optical, and structural composition as mined stones, are gaining traction globally. In the US, 60% of engagement rings now feature lab-grown diamonds, a figure that has surged from just 1% a decade ago. Economists predict this market share could reach 70–75% by 2032. Astrea, however, is not targeting the mass market. Instead, it focuses on the highest echelon of the diamond category, offering meticulously engineered and certified stones that redefine excellence. The brand’s upcoming collection, designed by Sarah Jessica Parker, showcases the creative potential of lab-grown diamonds, with modular pieces and vibrant designs that would be nearly impossible to achieve with mined stones. Beyond aesthetics, Astrea emphasizes environmental responsibility, highlighting the minimal ecological footprint of lab-grown diamonds compared to the environmental and human toll of mining. The brand’s flagship store in Dubai, located at the Mandarin Oriental, will offer an immersive experience, allowing customers to witness the diamond-making process and design bespoke pieces. This transparency marks a departure from the industry’s traditional secrecy, aligning with the values of a new generation of luxury consumers.

Two months after a high-profile immigration raid at Hyundai’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing site in Georgia, some of the 300 South Korean nationals detained have returned to the U.S. to resume their jobs, according to their employer. The September raid, which targeted workers with expired visas or visa waivers prohibiting employment, temporarily halted construction at a battery plant operated by HL-GA Battery Co., a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. The plant, part of Hyundai’s $7.6 billion investment in Georgia, is crucial for producing batteries to power Hyundai EVs. HL-GA Battery confirmed that construction has resumed with a mix of new and returning workers, thanking U.S., South Korean, and Georgia officials for their collaboration. The company remains on track to start production in the first half of next year. The raid, which saw workers shackled and detained for a week, sparked outrage in South Korea, a key U.S. ally. While some workers are hesitant to return, others have come back after confirming their B-1 business visas remain valid. South Korea has since secured U.S. commitments to improve visa processes for skilled workers.

Syria has officially transferred the operational control of Tartus Port, its second-largest port, to DP World, a leading logistics company based in the United Arab Emirates. The transition marks a significant milestone in Syria’s efforts to revitalize its logistics sector after years of conflict. The move follows a 30-year concession agreement valued at $800 million, signed between DP World and Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports earlier this year. The deal is among the largest foreign investments in Syria’s infrastructure in recent history, aiming to transform Tartus into a modern, efficient trading hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. Fahad al-Banna, the newly appointed CEO of DP World Tartus, emphasized the company’s commitment to leveraging its global expertise to modernize the port, enhance trade opportunities, and establish Tartus as a pivotal regional trade center. DP World plans to upgrade the port’s infrastructure, expand its handling and storage capacity, and invest in advanced bulk handling systems. This development comes after Syria’s government terminated a 2019 agreement with Russian company Stroytransgaz, citing contractual breaches and insufficient investment. The new administration, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been actively seeking to rebuild economic ties with Western and regional powers, including a separate 30-year deal with French shipping giant CMA CGM to operate Latakia Port. The easing of U.S., EU, and UK sanctions has further supported Syria’s economic recovery efforts. Notably, President Sharaa’s recent visit to the White House marked a historic moment in Syrian-U.S. relations, underscoring the country’s push for international reintegration.

Shanghai’s Jinshan district has demonstrated significant economic progress and rural revitalization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). According to local officials, the district’s GDP surpassed 120 billion yuan ($16.9 billion) in 2024, with per capita GDP reaching $21,500. Liu Jian, Party secretary of Jinshan district, highlighted the district’s focus on industrial transformation, spatial reorganization, and governance reforms during a recent press conference. The total industrial output of enterprises above a designated size exceeded 300 billion yuan, with emerging sectors like fiber materials, drones, and optoelectronic transmission materials gaining national recognition as characteristic industrial clusters for SMEs. The service sector also showed robust growth, with businesses above a designated size achieving an average annual growth rate of 62%. Jinshan attracted 20 major investment projects, each exceeding 1 billion yuan, including four megaprojects valued at over 10 billion yuan each. Innovation metrics surged, with invention patents per 10,000 residents doubling and international PCT patent applications increasing nearly 11-fold. High-tech enterprises grew by 39.5%, while specialized and sophisticated technology enterprises expanded by 375.3%. In agriculture, Jinshan implemented key initiatives, boosting agricultural labor productivity by 21%, surpassing the city’s average. Rural residents’ per capita disposable income rose by an average of 7.4% annually. The tourism sector flourished with the opening of the Legoland Shanghai Resort, which attracted over 800,000 visitors since July 2025, driving accommodation and catering business revenue up by 15.2% year-on-year. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), Jinshan aims to become an innovative, green, and livable bay area, focusing on emerging industries, technological innovation, and urban-rural integration.

Oman Air has announced temporary adjustments to its flight schedules due to global supply chain disruptions that have rendered several of its aircraft inoperable. The airline disclosed this development on Thursday, emphasizing its commitment to minimizing the impact on passengers. Oman Air is actively collaborating with aircraft manufacturers to expedite the return of grounded planes to service. In the interim, affected passengers are being rebooked on alternative flights, a standard procedure the airline follows to ensure minimal disruption. The airline reiterated its dedication to maintaining operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction despite the challenges posed by the supply chain issues. This situation underscores the broader impact of global supply chain disruptions on the aviation industry, which continues to grapple with logistical and operational hurdles.

The promise of global investing often falls short in reality, as most investment apps provide access to less than 10% of the world’s stock market. Despite the appearance of openness, investors are confined to a narrow selection of stocks. With over 50,000 listed companies across 78 stock exchanges, the average platform offers fewer than 5,000, leaving the majority of the global market inaccessible. Apps create an illusion of completeness by showcasing popular tickers and trending brands, even when many are ‘ghost listings’—visible but untradeable. This psychological trick fosters a sense of connection to the global economy, while actual ownership remains limited. The root of the issue lies in regulatory complexities. Platforms are typically licensed in a few jurisdictions, making cross-border investing slow, expensive, and legally challenging. Compliance with varying rules on KYC, taxation, and settlement further restricts access. As a result, trading is often limited to major markets like the U.S., the U.K., and select Asian exchanges, while regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia remain out of reach for retail investors. Geographic restrictions also play a role, with users often unaware of why certain stocks or exchanges are unavailable. The UK Financial Conduct Authority has warned that this lack of transparency risks misleading investors. For users, this lack of clarity erodes trust, as they assume stocks in search results are purchasable. Simple disclosures about live and restricted exchanges could restore honesty without requiring new features. As Tajinder Virk, co-founder of Finvasia, notes, true global investing is about discovering undervalued companies shaping the future, not just owning what’s already popular. Until platforms align their promises with actual access, global investing will remain an illusion—appearing limitless but feeling confined. The next generation of platforms must not only display the world but truly open it.