Tehran to announce new Hormuz shipping route in coming days
The announcement comes after Iran signed an agreement with Oman, as shipping traffic plunges, oil prices rise and regional governments...
Geostrategy
Iran targets Jordan, Bahrain after US carries out second wave of strikes
Iranian military spokesman Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the attacks would continue until the United States “regrets its crimes”, warning that...
Geostrategy
Business
Alkhorayef Water awarded $458m contract
The operation and maintenance contract will be for over 15 years.
- The existing plants in this package are Al Hafuf STP 1, Al Oyun STP and Al Omran STP. This is in addition to the new one, Al Hafuf STP 2, Argaam reported.
- The design and rehabilitation will be completed in two phases over 36 months from the contract date. Meanwhile, the O&M will be carried out over 15 years (180 months).
Business
Top U.S. stock indices drop for third consecutive day on Wednesday
The S&P 500 dropped for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, as Nvidia and other struggling technology names put downward...
- Technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 1.15% to 15,683.37
- Asian shares advanced on Thursday even after sinking technology stocks sent Wall Street lower
Arts & Culture
Saudi Film “Norah”, backed by Red Sea Fund, secures official selection at Cannes
Directed by Tawfik Alzaidi, this Saudi film earned its place in the 'Un Certain Regard' section of the prestigious festival,...
- Set against the backdrop of 1990s Saudi Arabia, "Norah" narrates a tale of liberation through art
- Directed by Tawfik Alzaidi, this Saudi film earned its place in the 'Un Certain Regard' section of the prestigious festival, marking a major moment for Saudi cinema
Business
Sales of Dubai $10m-plus homes surges by 19% to $1.7bn in Q1
Dubai, UAE -- One hundred and five homes priced in excess of US$10 million were sold in Dubai during the...
- Knight Frank says that last year, Dubai recorded 431 home sales above $10 million, nearly 80 percent higher than the next nearest contender—London (240)
- New York (211) rounded off the world's top three most active luxury home markets in 2023.
Geostrategy
GCC nations express deep concern over Iran-Israel skirmishes
In light of the military escalation and developments in the Middle East region, the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation...
- In light of the military escalation and developments in the Middle East region, the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council held its 44th extraordinary meeting
- The council expressed its deep concern over the recent, dangerous developments of military escalation in the Middle East region and their negative impact
Business
Saudi imposes anti-dumping duties on products from 10 countries
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has imposed anti-dumping duties on seven products imported from 10 European and Asian countries,...
- The products included all types of cement, including clinker, from all Iranian companies, with a dumping duty of 67.5 percent.
- The superabsorbent polymer products were also subject to anti-dumping measures on Saudi imports from five countries for five years.
Geostrategy
IEA lowers its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024
According to the IEA, oil demand growth in Q1 2024 was lower than expected at 1.6 mln bpd, and the...
- The IEA emphasized that decreasing global oil demand growth indicates consumption will peak in the current decade.
- Despite the anticipated decline, however, the current rate of oil demand growth is largely similar to the trend prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economy
Iraqi Prime Minister unveils action plan to revitalize local banking sector
The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq, will provide support for local Iraqi banks through foreign...
- The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq, will provide support for local Iraqi banks through foreign institutions and banks
- Consideration will be given to the credit rating of each bank in this process
Geostrategy
Turkey imposes trade restrictions on Israel over Gaza war
The new measures come a day after Turkey said Israel had blocked its attempt to airdrop aid to Gaza. "This...
- Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday vowed reprisals against Israel for blocking Turkey's air force from airdropping aid to Gaza.
- Turkey is one of the harshest critics of Israel's war on Gaza, with Erdogan branding Israel a "terrorist state". It attached a list of 54 products subject to export restrictions.
Economy
UN food organization raises forecast for world cereal production
Rome, Italy -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a new Cereal Supply and...
- FAO forecast for world cereal production in 2023/24 to 2.841 billion tons, reflecting expectations of greater outputs of maize, rice and wheat.
- FAO also adjusted its forecast for global wheat production in 2024, now standing at 796 million tons, marking a 1.0 percent increase from 2023.
Tehran to announce new Hormuz shipping route in coming days
The announcement comes after Iran signed an agreement with Oman, as shipping traffic plunges, oil prices rise and regional governments...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Major book publishers sue Google over use of copyrighted books to train AI models
Several major book publishers and authors have sued Google, alleging the technology company illegally copied millions of copyrighted books to...
Business
US launches fresh strikes on Iran, reimposes Hormuz blockade
Iran strikes US military assets in the Gulf and warned the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until US military...
Geostrategy
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Business
Turkey’s exports to EU rise 4.7 percent to $55 billion in first half
Dubai, UAE -- Turkey's exports to the European Union rose 4.7 percent in the first half of 2026 to $55...
- EU-bound shipments accounted for a significant share of Turkey's total exports, which increased 3.6 percent year-on-year to $136 billion during the January-June period.
- Germany remained Turkey's largest export destination, receiving goods worth $10.1 billion, followed by Italy at $6.8 billion and Spain at $5.6 billion.
Business
SIB H1 profit up 15.3%
Total operating income rises 20.5 percent.
- Total assets rose 4.7 percent to AED94.5 billion as Islamic financing portfolio expanded and customer deposits continued growing strongly.
- Non-performing financing ratio improved to 3.6 percent while shareholders' equity increased following a AED2.6 billion capital strengthening exercise.
Business
Dubai diamond trade hits record $41.7 billion in 2025, DMCC says
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai's diamond trade rose to a record $41.7 billion in 2025, surpassing its previous high set in...
- Natural diamonds remained the dominant segment, generating $39.9 billion in trade, or 95.8 percent of the total value.
- Trade in natural polished diamonds rose nearly 25 percent year-on-year to $18.7 billion, while rough diamond volumes reached 205.2 million carats.