Business

Meta Expands Beyond Advertising With New Paid Subscription Plans Across Apps

Published

3 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Meta has launched a new set of paid subscription services across its major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, in a significant step toward reducing its reliance on advertising revenue and building a broader digital services business.

The rollout introduces Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus and WhatsApp Plus to global users, alongside early-stage subscription tests aimed at businesses, content creators and artificial intelligence products. The announcement was made by Meta’s head of product Naomi Gleit in a video shared on Instagram, confirming that the company is expanding paid features across its ecosystem.

The new services fall under a broader umbrella initiative called “Meta One”, which the company said will eventually house a range of subscription products. Meta also confirmed that it is testing additional paid offerings for creators, businesses and users of its AI tools, signalling a deeper shift into subscription-based revenue streams.

According to reports citing AFP, Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will be priced at around $3.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus will cost approximately $2.99 per month. These plans will provide enhanced functionality, including expanded analytics tools, improved audience insights, story engagement tracking and greater profile customisation options.

WhatsApp Plus will focus more on personalisation features, offering users premium stickers, custom ringtones and redesigned themes for the messaging platform.

Meta shares rose 3.7 percent following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s push toward diversified revenue sources at a time of rising costs linked to artificial intelligence development. The company has projected capital expenditure between $125 billion and $145 billion this year, with a large portion directed toward AI infrastructure and data centre expansion.

CNBC reported that the broader “Meta One” subscription suite could range from $7.99 to $19.99 per month, depending on the level of service, with higher-tier plans offering additional AI and business-focused tools. Early testing of these premium services is expected to begin in markets including Singapore, Guatemala and Bolivia next month.

Meta has already experimented with subscription models in Europe, where it introduced paid ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in 2023 to comply with regional privacy regulations. That system allowed users to choose between a free, ad-supported experience and a paid alternative without advertisements.

The latest move signals a wider strategic shift as Meta attempts to balance advertising income with recurring subscription revenue. With growing investment in artificial intelligence and increasing infrastructure demands, the company is now positioning paid services as a central part of its long-term business model.

Industry observers say the expansion into subscriptions reflects a broader trend among major tech firms seeking more stable revenue sources amid rising operational costs and evolving regulatory pressures.

Business

Europe’s Ultra-Rich Expand Rapidly as Wealth Gap Remains Wide Across Continent

Published

53 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Web Reporter

The number of ultra-wealthy individuals in Europe has grown sharply over the past five years, even as data continues to highlight deep inequality in wealth distribution across the continent.

According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, Europe’s population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals—defined as those with at least $30 million in assets—has increased by 26 percent since 2021. The total has risen from 146,525 to 183,953, adding more than 37,000 individuals in five years.

This growth translates to an average of roughly 20 new ultra-wealthy individuals each day in Europe. Globally, the report shows around 89 people cross the $30 million threshold daily, underscoring a broader expansion of extreme wealth across major economies.

Despite this rise, wealth inequality within Europe remains pronounced. The European Central Bank reported in 2023 that the median net wealth of households in the euro area stood at €123,500. However, the distribution varies widely, ranging from just €2,000 among the bottom 20 percent of households to more than €1 million for the top 20 percent.

Germany leads Europe in the growth of ultra-wealthy residents. The number of individuals in the country with at least $30 million in wealth increased from 28,942 in 2021 to 38,215 in 2026. On average, this equates to about five new entrants per day. Germany remains Europe’s largest economy and ranks third globally in GDP after the United States and China.

Switzerland has also seen strong growth, adding an average of 2.7 ultra-wealthy individuals per day over the same period. France follows with around 2.1 new members daily, bringing its total to 21,518. The United Kingdom and Italy both record growth of approximately 1.6 individuals per day, while Spain adds about 1.5. Turkey also features among the faster-growing markets in Europe, with around 1.1 new ultra-wealthy individuals daily.

Smaller but steady increases are recorded across other European economies, including Poland, Czechia, Austria, Denmark, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland and Sweden, where growth ranges from 0.3 to 0.9 individuals per day.

On a global scale, the United States remains the dominant hub for extreme wealth, with 251,352 ultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2026. China follows with 121,677, while Germany ranks third worldwide. The United States alone adds an average of 36.7 new ultra-wealthy individuals daily, roughly one every 90 minutes. China adds about 12.5 per day.

India and Australia also appear among the top global contributors outside Europe. Overall, the global ultra-wealthy population increased by 162,191 between 2021 and 2026, reaching a total of 713,626 individuals.

Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank, said the trend reflects a major shift in global wealth distribution, with established and emerging economies both contributing to rapid growth in high-net-worth populations.

At the same time, UBS Global Wealth Report 2025 data highlights significant variation in average wealth per adult across Europe, ranging from about €29,923 in Turkey to €634,584 in Switzerland, reinforcing the continent’s persistent wealth divide despite rising numbers at the top end of the economic scale.

Business

FII Summit in Rome Calls for Faster Reforms to Boost Europe’s Investment Appeal

Published

1 hour ago

June 19, 2026

Web Reporter

The discussions highlighted what participants described as a critical opportunity for Europe to reinforce its strategic autonomy and position itself as a leading destination for global investment. However, speakers warned that without faster reforms and reduced administrative barriers, the region risks falling behind the United States and rapidly advancing Asian economies.

Unlike the recent G7 discussions, which focused heavily on geopolitical tensions and security issues, the Rome summit placed economic transformation at the centre of attention. The FII Priority Europe event brought together policymakers and investors to examine how the continent can regain momentum and secure funding for industrial and technological development.

Richard Attias, chairman of the executive committee of the FII Institute, told delegates that Europe retains strong fundamentals, including skilled labour, innovation capacity and established industrial infrastructure. However, he said investors increasingly demand predictability, speed and clarity in decision-making processes.

Attias called for streamlined regulations and simplified administrative systems to improve capital flows into key sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. He also noted that Europe is competing not only with the United States but also with emerging economies that are rapidly adjusting their regulatory frameworks to attract investment.

He stressed that the challenge lies in maintaining European standards while ensuring that regulatory systems do not slow economic progress. According to him, global capital is moving quickly, and Europe must adapt if it wants to remain a leading investment destination.

The issue of long-term investment in Europe was also addressed by Yasir O. Al Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and chairman of energy giant Aramco. He said Europe stands at a defining moment in shaping its role in the evolving global economy and emphasized the importance of creating conditions that support large-scale, long-term investment.

Al Rumayyan pointed to opportunities in areas such as energy transition projects, technological innovation and strategic infrastructure development. His remarks carried significant weight, given that the Public Investment Fund manages assets worth about $1.15 trillion, while Aramco remains one of the world’s most profitable energy companies.

Organisers said the choice of Rome as the summit venue reflected Europe’s potential to combine historical influence with forward-looking reform ambitions. The message repeated throughout the event was that while Europe continues to attract strong investor interest, its ability to convert that interest into sustained economic growth will depend on how quickly it modernizes its regulatory environment and accelerates structural reforms.

Business

Oil Prices Slide as US–Iran Accord Eases Supply Fears While Markets React to Fed Policy Shift

Published

20 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Web Reporter

Global crude prices extended losses on Thursday after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending their conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. Equity markets also responded unevenly as investors digested the Federal Reserve’s latest policy signals.

Oil benchmarks dropped in early trading following confirmation that US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had signed an initial agreement designed to halt hostilities and restore normal maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway handles a significant share of global crude exports, and expectations of its reopening immediately weighed on prices.

At the time of writing, West Texas Intermediate fell 2.3% to around $75 a barrel, while Brent crude slipped about 2% to $78 a barrel. Although both benchmarks remain above pre-conflict levels near $70, they have retreated sharply from recent highs above $100 recorded during the height of the tensions.

The agreement sets a 60-day period for negotiations on a final settlement addressing Iran’s nuclear programme. In the interim, Tehran has agreed to reduce its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The deal also includes provisions for easing sanctions, allowing Iran to resume oil exports and enabling tanker traffic to move more freely through the Persian Gulf.

US officials have indicated that the Strait of Hormuz could be fully reopened by Friday without transit fees, a development that has reinforced expectations of increased global supply. President Trump, commenting after the signing, said “oil down, stocks up,” reflecting market reactions to the accord.

Despite the easing outlook, the International Energy Agency has warned that global oil markets remain fragile. Strategic reserves in advanced economies have fallen to their lowest levels since 1990, with OECD stockpiles declining by more than 160 million barrels since the conflict began. The agency also revised down its demand forecast, citing weaker consumption and elevated fuel prices.

Flows through the Strait of Hormuz had already begun recovering before the agreement, reaching roughly 12 million barrels per day in early June after a period of disruption.

Financial markets, meanwhile, delivered a mixed performance following the Federal Reserve’s latest projections. Wall Street fell on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 down 1.2%, the Dow Jones off 1%, and the Nasdaq losing 1.3%, after policymakers signalled the possibility of interest rate increases later this year.

In his first press conference as Fed chair, Kevin Warsh avoided committing to a clear policy path, signalling a shift in how the central bank communicates future decisions. US President Donald Trump, attending the G7 summit in France, described the situation as “whatever,” while acknowledging uncertainty over potential rate hikes.

Early trading on Thursday pointed to a rebound, with US futures higher and Asian equities advancing on optimism over easing geopolitical risks. European markets opened more cautiously, reflecting lingering uncertainty despite the improving energy outlook.