Kuwait is seeking private sector support to tackle a long-standing housing shortage caused by decades of state-led management. Current housing requests stand at 105,000 and are growing at 3% annually, with demand projected to reach 197,000 by 2035. The government is restructuring the Public Authority for Housing Welfare and inviting local and international firms to develop large-scale housing projects under 30-year contracts. A new mortgage law is also being drafted to facilitate housing finance. These measures aim to bridge the gap between supply and demand for citizens' housing.Read more

U.S. existing home sales declined slightly in August, falling by 0.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.00 million units, though sales were up 1.8% year over year. Affordability pressures remain due to high home prices and mortgage rates, even after recent rate reductions. The median home price increased to USD?422,600, marking the 26th straight year of annual price growth, and homes are roughly 52% more expensive than pre-pandemic levels. Inventory decreased modestly but remains steady at 4.6 months of supply. Regional performance was mixed, with the Midwest benefiting from relatively better affordability.Read more

Fermi, co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, is planning a U.S. IPO with a target valuation of USD 13.16B, seeking to raise up to USD 550M. Founded in January 2025, the Texas-based REIT aims to develop one of the largest energy and data complexes in the world, combining nuclear, gas, and solar power. While still in its development stage and having incurred early losses, Fermi is positioning itself as a major player in the AI-driven data center market through its flagship Project Matador.Read more

Lego has acquired 29 discovery centres from Merlin Entertainments in a deal worth around USD 270 million, aiming to strengthen consumer engagement and expand its global presence. These centres, featuring Lego building zones, creative workshops, and retail spaces, attract about five million visitors annually. The acquisition complements Lego's 1,079 branded stores across 54 markets. Merlin will continue operating 11 Legoland parks under licence, while the centres are spread across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. The move reinforces Lego's commitment to hands-on, creative experiences for fans of all ages.Read more

Sempra is set to sell a USD 10 billion stake in its infrastructure business to a KKR-led consortium, giving the group 65% ownership, while Sempra and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority retain 25% and 10%, respectively. The infrastructure unit is valued at approximately USD 22.2 billion. At the same time, Sempra approved a USD 14 billion expansion of its Port Arthur LNG facility in Texas, which will add two liquefaction trains, storage, and support facilities, increasing capacity by 13 million tonnes annually with operations expected in 2030-31. The move is part of Sempra's strategy to streamline operations and improve earnings per share from 2027.Read more

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged the government to increase housing construction to address rapidly rising real estate prices that have made homeownership difficult for many citizens. Apartment prices in key cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have risen 5.6% this year, averaging 80 million dong (USD 3,028) per square metre, while the average annual salary remains 98.4 million dong. The government plans to simplify development procedures, reduce costs for developers, support social housing projects, and ensure loans at reasonable interest rates.Read more

Transnet has entered into a ten-year supply agreement with Liebherr and a 20-year asset management programme to modernise South Africa's port operations. The partnership covers the delivery of cranes and long-term maintenance support. Orders already placed include four ship-to-shore cranes for Durban and 48 rubber-tyred gantry cranes for Durban and Cape Town. The deal also provides for rail-mounted gantry and mobile harbour cranes, as well as expanded service facilities. Liebherr is setting up a new competence and training centre in Durban and improving service capacity in Cape Town to ensure local support.Read more

The Reserve Bank of Australia governor said the economy is well placed, with inflation easing and the labour market resilient, but warned that global uncertainty requires policy flexibility. Interest rates have been cut three times this year, bringing the cash rate to 3.6%, with markets expecting further easing by mid-2026. Inflation is projected to return to the 2-3% target, while unemployment remains low at 4.2%. Household spending recovery and global risks, particularly weak growth in China, remain key concerns. The governor stressed that while growth has picked up and household incomes are improving, the RBA must stay ready to adjust rates if conditions deteriorate.Read more

UAE-based real estate developer Arada has acquired a 75% stake in British property developer Regal in a deal worth AED 2.5 billion. The move, which follows Arada's expansion into Australia last year, marks its second international venture. Regal will be renamed Arada London, with the company committing to triple its UK pipeline of 10,000 homes across 11 projects within three years. Executives said the London market offers long-term opportunity despite current challenges, joining other UAE developers expanding into the UK. Arada is also eyeing Saudi Arabia as its next market.Read more

The European Union has announced that it will delay the implementation of its anti-deforestation law by another year, marking the second postponement of the measure. The legislation, which seeks to prevent imports of commodities such as palm oil, beef and soy linked to deforestation, faced pushback from trade partners including the United States, Brazil and Indonesia, alongside concerns from European producers. Officials stated that the delay was due to unresolved issues with IT systems required for monitoring compliance. Environmental campaigners have strongly criticised the decision.Read more