Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission as part Nomads Festival
M'HAMID EL GHIZLANE, Morocco - It may be the gateway to the vast Sahara desert, but that does not mean...
Economy
Macron announces new Ukraine ‘coalition’ summit in Paris on March 27
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said the leaders of a coalition of Ukraine backers would meet again in Paris...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
India-Middle East trade corridor hits Turkey hurdle, alternate route proposed
Ankara, Turkey - Turkey is engaged in “intensive negotiations” with regional partners to propose an alternative to the India-Middle East...
- The country has proposed $17 billion Iraq Development Road initiative which would take goods from the Grand Faw port in Iraq through 10 Iraqi provinces and into Turkey
- The project will utilize a high-speed rail and road network and is divided into three phases, with the final phase expected to be completed by 2050
Business
QOIS inks share purchase, swap deal
QOIS is a Qatari public shareholding company.
- QOIS purchased the shares of the National Real Estate Development and Investment (OSOS) in Muzn Oman, for $1,984,318
- QOIS then exchanged its share in Muzn Oman of 37.68 percent, for the 10 percent share of Omani Ministry of Defense Pension Funds in OSOS
Arts & Culture
UNESCO adds 15 new sites to world heritage list during Riyadh session
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, during its 45th session held in Riyadh, unveiled fifteen new additions...
- Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor, an integral part of the renowned Silk Roads connecting Central Asia's Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, now graces the list
- Approximately 50 sites are queued for potential inclusion to the World Heritage List, segmented into 37 cultural, 12 natural, and two of mixed significance
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia participates in global meet to bridge digital divide
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom’s Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi participated...
- The meeting aims to enhance the contribution of the communications, space and technology sectors for attaining sustainable development objectives.
- The meeting also aims to propose policies and recommendations to bridge the digital divide and promote and develop the digital economy.
Business
Saudi-China Entrepreneurs Association and HKTDC sign MoU
Hong Kong - The Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association (SCEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong...
- The MoU between SCEA and HKTDC aims to fortify commercial ties, particularly aiding startups and service providers eyeing global expansion.
- The agreement was signed during the eighth Belt and Road Summit, a two-day event themed "Ten Years of Cooperation for Mutual Benefit".
Business
Aramco expands into South American retail market with Esmax buyout
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has announced its agreement to...
- The development aligns with Aramco's broader strategy of bolstering its presence in the downstream sector worldwide
- The acquisition comes on the heels of Aramco's earlier purchase of Valvoline Inc.'s global products business in February 2023
Geostrategy
Remove sanctions to restore Black Sea Grain Initiative: Russian Ambassador to US
Washington, United States - Russian Ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, on Friday asked the United States to remove sanctions barriers...
- Antonov's statement comes in response to comments by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who expressed skepticism about a swift return to the initiative
- Ambassador Antonov stressed that Russia has consistently expressed its willingness to reopen the doors to the initiative provided its concerns were addressed
Geostrategy
Blinken likely to visit Saudi, Israel, West Bank in October to discuss normalization
Tel Aviv, Israel - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is considering a trip to the Middle East in October...
- The US State Department has also issued a statement marking the third anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords
- US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Middle East czar Brett Mcgurk have also made visits to Riyadh in July and last week
Business
Google gives select companies access to its Gemini AI
The company plans to make Gemini available through its Google Cloud Vertex AI service, and will offer access to models...
- The company is close to incorporating it into its consumer services and selling it to enterprises through Google Cloud
- Google has also invested in generative AI companies Anthropic and Runway, gaining them as cloud customers
Business
Dubai real estate transactions worth over $3.4bn in week ending September 15
DUBAI, UAE - A total of 2,329 real estate transactions worth over US$3.4 billion (AED 12.7 billion) were conducted during...
- A total of 549 plots were sold for US$1.1 billion, while 1,780 apartments and villas were purchased for $1.07 billion.
- A plot in Marsa Dubai sold for US$169 million while a plot sold for US$49 million in Business Bay.
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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
Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission as part Nomads Festival
M'HAMID EL GHIZLANE, Morocco - It may be the gateway to the vast Sahara desert, but that does not mean...
Economy
Company News
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Passports officers to ease travel for Ramadan at Dammam airport and causeway
DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA – With the increase in passenger traffic during Ramadan, the General Directorate of Passports is ramping up...
Geostrategy
Gemini’s inaccurate AI racial images warn of tech titans’ power
AUSTIN, US – For people at the trend-setting tech festival here, the scandal that erupted after Google's Gemini chatbot cranked out...
Science
Noura Al Kaabi leads UAE’s delegation to UN Commission on the Status of Women
NEW YORK, US – Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi led the United Arab Emirates’ delegation to the 68th session...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Middle East poised to lead global crypto surge as Bitcoin eyes $100,000
Geneva, Switzerland - A major new study released by The Lancet Neurology shows that, in 2021, more than 3 billion people worldwide...
- Neurological conditions are now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide
- The overall amount of illness and premature death caused by neurological conditions has risen by 18% since 1990
Economy
S&P affirms Saudi Arabia’s A/A-1 credit rating
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The international credit rating agency S&P Global Rating affirmed its foreign and local currency sovereign credit...
- The agency indicated in its report that this rating affirmation is a result of the continuation of the Kingdom's economic and social reform agenda
- The agency forecasted GDP growth to average 3.3% in the medium term, due to the acceleration in non-oil sector investment and robust consumption in the Kingdom
Economy
Saudi Arabia grapples with over 1 million tons of annual vegetable waste
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia faces substantial annual losses in its agricultural sector, including 234,000 tons of tomatoes and...
- The kingdom has called for collaborative efforts to promote responsible consumption practices and reduce waste
- It has urged efficient vegetable usage and storage to minimize loss and contribute to a more sustainable food system