United Kingdom renationalizes first train operator under Labor reforms
London, United Kingdom -- Britain's South Western Railways on Sunday becomes the first private train operator to be returned to...
Economy
Anthropic’s Claude AI gets smarter — and mischievious
San Francisco, United States -- Anthropic launched its latest Claude generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) models on Thursday, claiming to set...
Business
Economy
Saudi Arabia plans to sustain borrowing spree to fund major projects beyond oil: report
Saudi Arabia secured a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Credit Agricole SA, and Dubai Islamic...
- The National Debt Management Center (NDMC) has estimated Saudi Arabia’s funding needs for 2025 at 139 billion riyals ($37 billion)
- Saudi Arabia was one of the largest bond issuers among emerging markets in 2024, issuing $17 billion in international bonds
Economy
Dubai ranks among world’s top 10 cities in Global Power City Index for second consecutive year
Dubai, UAE - Dubai has been ranked eighth worldwide and first in the Middle East in the Global Power City...
- In an annual study released by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation, the index highlights Dubai’s role as a leader in innovation, economic dynamism, and global connectivity
- This achievement makes Dubai the only city in the Middle East to feature in the top 10, reaffirming its position as a major global hub for business, talent, and investment
Economy
UAE labour market transforms with AI revolution and growing demand for high-skill professions
The country is among the most attractive markets for skilled global professionals and talent, thanks to its competitive advantages, including...
- As 2025 begins, the UAE is expected to see a growing demand for highly skilled professionals, particularly in AI and fields leveraging AI technologies across various industries
- A 2024 report by Deel, a global HR management company, highlighted the UAE as the top choice for workers seeking work visas worldwide
Economy
Females make up 37.6% of the GCC population of 57.6 million
Muscat, Oman - The population of the six GCC countries reached 57.6 million in 2023, compared to 56.6 million in...
- The population density was 23.9 people per square kilometre, with the total area of the GCC countries amounting to 2.4 million square kilometres
- The Atlas revealed that the total workforce in the GCC countries reached approximately 33.1 million in 2023, compared to 30.3 million in 2022
Geostrategy
In a change of tone, Syria’s new leader urges US to pressure Israel for withdrawal
Julani’s appeal comes as Syria signals a shift in its diplomatic tone. Maher Marwan, Damascus’ new governor, told NPR that...
- The report, published by Kan 11, said that Israeli authorities have denied receiving any formal communication on the matter
- A senior security official has stated that Israel "will not compromise its security" in response to the alleged request
Geostrategy
US proposes $8B arms deal with Israel; Biden plans strikes on Houthis as Gaza aid faces Trump-era cuts
The US proposes an $8 billion arms deal with Israel, plans intensified strikes on Yemen's Houthis, while Israel considers cutting...
- According to sources cited by Axios, the arms deal requires formal approval from both the House and Senate committees
- A US official emphasized that the arms sale aligns with the administration’s commitment to Israel's security
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 kicks off Friday with over 800 competitors
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Dakar Rally 2025, the largest and longest race in the world of motorsports, is set...
- Over 800 participants are poised for the fierce competition, which runs until January 17 and is organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation
- . Participants will embark on an adventurous journey through the landscapes of Al Hanakiyah, AlUla, Hail, Al Dawadmi, Riyadh, and Haradh before heading to the last stop in Shubayta
Economy
Saudi Arabia records $5.6 billion trade surplus in October 2024 with 30% growth
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia’s trade balance recorded a 30% monthly growth, achieving a surplus of SAR 20.769 billion...
- The Kingdom's total international trade volume reached SAR 164.794 billion ($43.51 billion) in October, reflecting a 2% growth
- Non-oil exports in October totaled approximately SAR 19.413 billion ($5.24 billion), representing 21% of total exports
Economy
Study: Legacy technology not impeding adoption of AI and Machine Learning in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Manufacturers see AI as critical for decarbonization (66%), improving ESG scores, energy monitoring (55%), advancing digital twins (68%), and enabling...
- The study, conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence, surveyed over 120 digital transformation leaders from the utility, data center, building, and manufacturing sectors
- It reveals that only 23% of respondents in 2024 identified legacy technology as a significant impediment to digitalization, a notable decrease from 33% in 2022
Economy
Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
Paris, France - Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence (AI),...
- Wall Street's three main stock indices blew past record highs to set new peaks in 2024, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing above 45,000 points
- Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election gave Wall Street even more of a boost on hopes he will follow through on pledges of deregulation and tax cuts
United Kingdom renationalizes first train operator under Labor reforms
London, United Kingdom -- Britain's South Western Railways on Sunday becomes the first private train operator to be returned to...
Economy
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Masdar issues $1bn bond
Business
Saudi airline resumes first Iran hajj flights since 2015
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- A Saudi airline has resumed flights for Iranian hajj pilgrims to the kingdom for the first...
Geostrategy
Pope Leo XIV: Mild-mannered American with global view
The 69-year-old pontiff saw the challenges facing the worldwide Catholic Church up close in two decades as a missionary in...
Geostrategy
EGA advances plans to build new US aluminum plant
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Emirates Global Aluminum, the largest ‘premium aluminum’ producer in the world, today announced the progression of...
Business
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Geostrategy
The US towns that took on ‘forever chemical’ giants — and won
Washington, United States -- No corner of Earth is untouched. From Tibet to Antarctica, so-called "forever chemicals" have seeped into...
- Tainting food, water and wildlife, these toxic substances have been linked to ailments ranging from birth defects to rare cancers.
- Yet if it weren't for the efforts of residents in two heavily impacted American towns, the world might still be in the dark.
Business
US stocks move sideways but poised for weekly gains
The S&P 500 has risen the last four sessions, extending the positive momentum after last weekend's trade talks resulted in...
- The broad-based S&P 500 added 0.1 percent at 5,923.30, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.2 percent to 19,146.48.
- Broadband and cable company Charter Communications gained 2.5 percent after announcing a deal to acquire Cox Communications for $34.5 billion.
Geostrategy
No Israel stop for Trump on Mideast tour shows shifting ties
Jerusalem, Undefined -- US President Donald Trump's decision to skip over Israel in his Middle East tour was just the...
- The United States in early May sealed a ceasefire with Yemen's Houthi rebels that has left Israel out of the picture.
- The deal was announced just hours after a missile fired by the rebels landed within the perimeter of Tel Aviv's international airport, leading to the cancellation of flights.