Iraq’s first ever director in Cannes wins best feature debut
Hasan Hadi won the top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in "The President's Cake".
Arts & Culture
Trump expands Apple tariff threat to all smartphones
Washington, United States -- US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened Apple and other smartphone manufacturers with a 25 percent...
Business
Geostrategy
France says ‘nothing ruled out’ to thwart Russia in Ukraine
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told the RTL broadcaster that there was "no consensus" on any "official" deployment of ground...
- Speaking a day after President Emmanuel Macron said that sending Western ground troops was not excluded, prime minister Attal said that "you can't rule anything out in a war."
- Macron, after hosting a meeting of two dozen European leaders to discuss Ukraine, on Monday painted a grim picture of a Russia whose positions he said were "hardening."
Business
Middle East and Africa smartphone shipments surge 30% YoY in Q4 2023
Dubai, Riyadh - Smartphone shipments in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region witnessed a remarkable surge, growing by 30%...
- For the entire year of 2023, smartphone shipments in the MEA region increased by 11% YoY, reflecting an upward trend in consumer sentiment
- The MEA region demonstrated the highest YoY growth globally during this period, attributed to improved economic conditions and rebounding consumer demand
Arts & Culture
Red Sea Global releases ‘Red Sea Waves,’ its first music album
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind The Red Sea and Amaala, the Saudi tourism destinations,...
- The album is the result of collaboration between Saudi, Egyptian, Sudanese, Somali, and other artists
- The album features 12 tracks, each of which is characterized by a different genre and origin
Business
EDB’s contribution to UAE’s industrial GDP in 2023 rises to US$1.1bn
ABU DHABI, UAE – Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has unveiled its 2023 results, showcasing an extraordinary year of achievements and...
- EDB’s flexible financing solutions and patient debt approach have significantly bolstered industrial growth.
- EDB has approved $353 million in financing under the Credit Guarantee Scheme with partner banks in UAE.
Business
Goldman Sachs, Mubadala ink pact
The two firms have signed a $1 billion private credit deal.
- The partnership will be managed by Private Credit at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with a dedicated team across multiple Asia Pacific markets.
- This mandate will enable both firms to continue scaling their investment activity in the large and growing Asia Pacific credit market.
Over 6m worshippers perform prayers at Prophet’s mosque last week
Madinah, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's...
- The statistics showed that 647,790 visited the Prophet Mohammed's tomb, and 298,397 visitors performed prayers at Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa
- More than 160,000 bottles of Zamzam water were provided, and 142,007 Iftar meals were distributed in corridors of the mosque
Economy
UAE allocates $5m to WTO’s Women Exporters In Digital Economy Fund
Dubai, UAE – United Arab Emirates on Sunday allocated $5 million to a $50 million fund launched Sunday ahead of...
- The alloocation was announced by the UAE minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Chair of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference 2024, which begins in Dubai today
- The new fund aims to unlock the power of the digital economy, helping women exporters overcome financing hurdles and capture untapped opportunities
Pakistan greenlights construction of long-awaited Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
Tehran, Iran - Pakistan has decided to link the gas pipeline from the country's Gwadar port city to the Iranian...
- According to Pakistani media, the country will expedite the project, which faced significant delays, in two phases
- Iran had previously given Pakistan a 180-day deadline until September 2024 to start completion of the pipe-laying work
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia cracks down on heritage site defacement with hefty fines
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning against damaging the nation's cultural heritage sites, imposing hefty...
- The Public Prosecution declared that anyone caught defacing urban heritage,could face a penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $26,660
- This stern message coincides with the Kingdom's celebration of its Founding Day, which fell on February 22
Business
Saudi solar company ALUPCO partners with Mexico-based Array technologies
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian aluminum extrusion company Aluminum Products (ALUPCO) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Array...
- ALUPCO, headquartered in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is recognized as a leading aluminum solutions provider in the Middle East and North African region
- Array Technologies, known for manufacturing solar tracker technology for over 30 years, has operations in Arizona, Australia, Brazil, England, South Africa, and Spain
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Iraq’s first ever director in Cannes wins best feature debut
Hasan Hadi won the top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in "The President's Cake".
Arts & Culture
Company News
Latest News
Israel endorses plan to extend Gaza truce as first phase draws to close, Hamas wants permanent peace
The first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas was set to expire over the...
Geostrategy
Wild AI, a royal letter and big hugs – a week in Trumpworld
Washington, United States - President Donald Trump closed out a packed week at the White House after hosting a string...
Arts & Culture
Trump and Zelensky clash in heated Oval Office meeting over Ukraine peace deal
During a tense meeting at the White House, Trump and Zelensky argued over the war with Russia, with Trump accusing...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia, Gulf neighbours say Ramadan to start on Saturday
Observing fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring believers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking...
- Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's two holiest sites, was joined by the UAE and Qatar in declaring the sighting of the crescent moon that heralds Ramadan
- "The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of the month of (Ramadan)," the official Saudi Press Agency posted on X
Business
e& reports $2.94 billion in net profit
e&’s subscriber base rose 11.7% to 189.3m
- The company acquired PPF Telecom’s assets, expanding into Central and Eastern Europe
- e& announced a progressive dividend policy, aiming for USD 0.24 per share by 2026
Business
$2.65bn in contracts signed during first two days of IDEX and NAVDEX 2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Tawazun Council, UAE's authority responsible for managing acquisitions, procurement, and contracts on behalf of the Ministry...
- Tawazun Council signed five deals worth a total of AED 5.8 billion with local and international companies on the second day of IDEX and NAVDEX 2025.
- Tawazun Council is UAE's authority responsible for managing acquisitions, procurement, and contracts on behalf of the Ministry of Defense and security agencies.