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
Business
PureHealth posts $137m Q1 net profit
The Group's revenue increased 8 percent YoY.
- EBITDA grew 5 percent year-on-year to AED 1.1 billion and net profit grew 3 percent year-on-year to AED505 million in Q1-2025.
- haista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer at PureHealth, commented, “PureHealth’s first quarter results reflect the solid growth witnessed across all core segments."
Business
Borouge Q1 net profit $281 million
The total dividend paid to shareholders in 2024 $1.3bn.
- Q1 2025 operational performance remained strong, with production volumes rising 7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025.
- Revenue in Q1 2025 grew 9 percent year-on-year to $1.42 billion, driven by higher average selling prices and increased sales volumes.
Business
Aramco, unit and Sinopec ink $4bn deal
The two companies will establish a joint venture company.
- Sinopec and its unit shall contribute $990 million and $1.98 billion in cash, respectively.
- AAS will allocate the remaining amount, representing 25 percent of the JV’s registered capital.
Business
stc Group Q1 net profit up 11.05%
The Group reported a revenue of $5.12 billion.
- The group distributed SAR0.55 per share for the first quarter of 2025, in accordance with the dividends distribution policy approved by the General Assembly.
- Gross profit rose by 5.01 percent to SAR 9.098 million, operating profit increased by 2.02 percent to SAR 3.584 billion, and EBITDA grew by 5.25 percent to SAR 6.120 billion.
Business
Saudia to acquire 20 wide-body aircraft
10 of these being acquired for its flydaeal low-cost airline
- Saudia Group currently operates a fleet of 194 aircraft, serving commercial aviation, cargo operations, and logistics services.
- "The group is set for significant expansion, with 191 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years," the airline said.
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.
Company News
Emirates NBD H1 profit $3.40bn
Business
Aldar nets $953m in sales at Fahid
Geostrategy
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...
Aramco, unit and Sinopec ink $4bn deal
The two companies will establish a joint venture company.
Business
Saudia to acquire 20 wide-body aircraft
10 of these being acquired for its flydaeal low-cost airline
Business
Most Read
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.