When a new great power emerges to challenge the status quo, disturbance is inevitable — so it was only a matter of time before the US and China clashed.

As Dubai opens its doors to foreign tourists, this is as good a time as any to look at the importance of tourism for the global economy.

What a difference six months make. In January, all eyes in the UK and many in Europe were on Brexit. Then the COVID-19 pandemic took the world in its grip and Brexit disappeared from the news bulletins. Now Black Lives Matter demonstrations dominate the agenda.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the George Floyd protests spreading from Minnesota to the world, a significant move by Donald Trump last week went almost unnoticed. The president ordered the Pentagon to withdraw 9,500 US troops from Germany, reducing the number to 25,000.

May was easily the best month ever for West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which appreciated nearly 80 percent from May 1 to May 29. Brent rose by 43 percent over the same period.