Saudi, Egypt, UAE drive strategic moves across sectors and borders
Saudi Arabia records the lowest Hajj attendance in three decades—outside the pandemic years—triggered by tighter visa restrictions; Special Envoy Zhai...
Geostrategy
Economy
IMF cuts global growth outlook on impact of Trump tariffs
Washington, United States -- The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed its forecast for global growth this year, citing the...
- The IMF projections see the global economy growing by 2.8 percent this year, 0.5 percentage points lower than the previous World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast in January.
- The IMF expects China, the world's second-largest economy, to see growth slump to 4.0 percent this year, down from 5.0 percent in 2024.
Geostrategy
WHO countries strike landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics
Geneva, Switzerland -- Years of negotiations culminated early Wednesday with countries agreeing the text of a landmark accord on how...
- Negotiators stumbled over the agreement's Article 11, which deals with transferring technology for pandemic health products towards developing nations.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, poorer states accused rich nations of hoarding vaccines and tests.
Business
OpenAI files counterclaims against Musk as feud deepens
San Francisco, United States -- Artificial intelligence giant OpenAI has filed counterclaims against multi-billionaire Elon Musk, accusing its former co-founder...
- OpenAI alleges Musk became hostile toward the company after abandoning it years before its breakthrough achievements with ChatGPT.
- "Musk could not tolerate seeing such success for an enterprise he had abandoned and declared doomed," OpenAI said in a filing.
Business
47 global firms interested in developing 7th phase of Al Maktoum solar park
Dubai, UAE -- A total of 47 international companies have shown interest in developing the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin...
- The seventh phase will have a production capacity exceeding 1,600 megawatts (MW) and 1,000MW battery storage system providing 6,000 megawatt-hours.
- Scheduled for phased commissioning between 2027 and 2029, the seventh phase will be generating 4.5 terawatt-hours of clean energy by 2030.
Business
$20 million rare blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -- A rare blue diamond valued at $20 million went on pre-auction display on Tuesday...
- The 10-carat Mediterranean Blue, which will go on sale in Geneva next month, is the showpiece of a collection estimated at $100 million, organizers said.
- "Included in the group are the largest flawless diamond in the world... the second largest red diamond known to exist and several diamonds over 100 carats," Sotheby's said.
Business
European Parliament approves aid package for Egypt, Jordan
Brussels, Belgium -- Members of the European Parliament have approved two proposals to provide Egypt and Jordan with loans worth...
- The parliament approved two proposals to provide Egypt and Jordan with loans worth €4 billion ($4.32 billion) and €500 million, respectively.
- The Parliament adopted the macro-financial assistance to Egypt with 452 votes in favor, 182 against and 40 abstentions.
Business
Qatar’s Producer Price Index for Feb down 0.33 percent year-on-year
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's general Producer Price Index (PPI) for the industrial sector for February recorded 114.01 points, showing stability...
- The PPI for the industrial sector is composed of four main sectors: mining and quarrying, which accounts for 82.46 percent of the index.
- On an annual basis, the index for this sector fell by 0.42 percent, attributed to the same decline in oil and gas extraction.
Business
Emaar to pay $2.39bn dividend
The company had posted $19bn in property sales for 2024.
- Emaar’s revenue backlog from property sales exceeded AED110 billion (US$30 billion), supporting future revenue generation.
- Total revenue for 2024 reached AED35.5 billion ($9.6 billion), marking a 33 percent year-over-year increase.
Business
Aramco acquires stake in BHIG
The 50% equity interest in BHIG is Aramco-APQ joint venture.
- The agreement brings together experts in their respective fields to provide the Jubail Industrial City area with hydrogen, including lower-carbon hydrogen, at scale.
- BHIG is expected to commence commercial operations to produce blue hydrogen in coordination with Aramco's carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities in Jubail.
Business
ADNOC L&S okays $273m dividend
The final dividend of $136.5m will be paid on April 3.
- ADNOC L&S delivered exceptional financial growth, driven by strong market demand, strategic acquisitions, and operational efficiency, the company said.
- Revenue increased 29 percent year-on-year to over $3.5 billion (AED13 billion), while net profit rose 22 percent to $756 million (AED2.7 billion).
Saudi, Egypt, UAE drive strategic moves across sectors and borders
Saudi Arabia records the lowest Hajj attendance in three decades—outside the pandemic years—triggered by tighter visa restrictions; Special Envoy Zhai...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Women in Tech Global and UN Women launch “Beyond Ceilings” campaign on women’s empowerment
The "Beyond Ceilings" campaign urges people to confront and challenge the glass ceiling, and reminds the audience of the vast possibilities that await women once they overcome...
OpenAI files counterclaims against Musk as feud deepens
San Francisco, United States -- Artificial intelligence giant OpenAI has filed counterclaims against multi-billionaire Elon Musk, accusing its former co-founder...
Business
47 global firms interested in developing 7th phase of Al Maktoum solar park
Dubai, UAE -- A total of 47 international companies have shown interest in developing the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin...
Business
$20 million rare blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -- A rare blue diamond valued at $20 million went on pre-auction display on Tuesday...
Business
Most Read
Business
Qatar’s Producer Price Index for Feb down 0.33 percent year-on-year
Doha, Qatar -- Qatar's general Producer Price Index (PPI) for the industrial sector for February recorded 114.01 points, showing stability...
- The PPI for the industrial sector is composed of four main sectors: mining and quarrying, which accounts for 82.46 percent of the index.
- On an annual basis, the index for this sector fell by 0.42 percent, attributed to the same decline in oil and gas extraction.
Business
Emaar to pay $2.39bn dividend
The company had posted $19bn in property sales for 2024.
- Emaar’s revenue backlog from property sales exceeded AED110 billion (US$30 billion), supporting future revenue generation.
- Total revenue for 2024 reached AED35.5 billion ($9.6 billion), marking a 33 percent year-over-year increase.
Business
Aramco acquires stake in BHIG
The 50% equity interest in BHIG is Aramco-APQ joint venture.
- The agreement brings together experts in their respective fields to provide the Jubail Industrial City area with hydrogen, including lower-carbon hydrogen, at scale.
- BHIG is expected to commence commercial operations to produce blue hydrogen in coordination with Aramco's carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities in Jubail.