Abu Dhabi GDP grows 3.8% to $83.40bn in Q2 as non-oil sectors hit record
The non-oil economy expanded 6.6 percent year-on-year to AED174.1 billion — the highest quarterly value on record — and accounted...
Economy
MBZUAI, G42 launch K2 Think: Leading open-source system for advanced AI reasoning
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Institute of Foundation Models at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and G42...
Science
Business
Emirates’ first A350 takes flight
The airline operated the inaugural flight from Dubai to Edinburgh.
- The aircraft, featuring Emirates' latest cabin products, is the first of 65 A350s joining the airline's fleet over the coming years.
- Emirates has configured its A350 to provide three cabin classes, accommodating 312 passengers in 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seat.
Geostrategy
Winter rains, flooding and limited aid worsen Gaza tragedy: IOM
"Vulnerable people, including at least seven infants, have died from hypothermia, and these tragic deaths underscore the urgent need for...
- As of mid-Dec, the Shelter Cluster, a coordination group of UN, international and local humanitarian, estimates at least 945,000 still urgently need winterization assistance.
- IOM has delivered nearly 180,000 emergency shelter items to partners inside Gaza since mid-November and has over 1.5 million more winter supplies.
Business
Oil extends gains on hopes of policy support for economic growth
Singapore - Oil prices extended gains on Friday after closing at their highest in more than two months in the...
- Brent crude futures rose 16 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $76.09 a barrel after settling at its highest since Oct. 25 on Thursday.
- Lower interest rates should spur more economic growth which would lead to higher fuel consumption.
Business
Dubai Airport set for record start to 2025: 4.3m guests in 15 days
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai International Airport (DXB) is on track to welcome 4.3 million guests in the first 15 days...
- With an average of 287,000 guests passing through daily during this period DXB is operating at volumes akin to its busiest months ever.
- This performance reflects a surge in international visitors flying out after the festive season, coupled with residents returning from holidays.
Business
Dubai real estate market saw record transactions worth $142.1bn in 2024
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai’s real estate market recorded 180,900 transactions worth AED 522.1 ($142.1 billion) in 2024, a market report...
- The transaction volume surged by 51 percent to 119,800 in 2024, reflecting a substantial increase in buyer confidence and developer activity.
- There was also a steady appreciation in the average price per sq ft, which was up 10 percent to AED 1,600.
Geostrategy
Israeli forces killed 45,553 Palestinians since Oct 2023: Health ministry
Gaza, Palestinian Territories -- The Israeli forces have killed at least 45,553 Palestinian civilians and injured at least 108,379 others,...
- At least 108,379 other civilians, most of them children, have been injured and thousands remain under debris.
- The ministry said the Israeli forces committed two massacres against Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours.
Business
Saudi PIF’s assets up by $11.44bn by the end of third quarter 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The value of assets under Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) assets—both...
- The number of subscribers recorded a 51 percent increase, representing nearly 528,000 subscribers, to reach 1,570,452 subscribers, compared to 1,042,484 at the end of Q3 2023.
- Foreign investment assets recorded an annual growth of 15.1 percent, increasing by over SAR 3 billion to reach SAR 25.656 billion, which accounts for 16% of the total asset value.
Economy
Unemployment rate among Saudi nationals 7.8 percent in Q3
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Unemployment rate among Saudi nationals reached 7.8 percent in the third quarter of 2024, a year-on-year...
- Data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said that the Saudi and non-Saudi labor force stood at 66.6 percent, a 0.4 percentage point increase over Q2 of 2024.
- Saudi women's participation in the labor force, which increased by 0.8 percentage points, to 36.2 percent and men's participation up by 1.1 percentage point.
Business
Key healthcare digital trends to watch in 2025
From AI-powered content creation to automated feedback systems, technology is streamlining operations and improving patient care.
- One of the most notable shifts is the growing ability to harness patient data responsibly for tailored marketing and engagement.
- Reputation management is taking center stage as well, with automated systems streamlining the collection of patient feedback and testimonials.
Economy
UAE real GDP grows by 3.6% in first half of 2024, says economy minister
Non-oil sectors' contribution to GDP reaches 75%. Economy minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says the growth reflects the dynamic...
- The Minister said that the robust growth of non-oil sectors during the first half of 2024 reflects the dynamic nature of the UAE's economy.
- Transportation and storage activities led economic growth in the first half of 2024, with an impressive 8.4 percent growth rate.
Abu Dhabi GDP grows 3.8% to $83.40bn in Q2 as non-oil sectors hit record
The non-oil economy expanded 6.6 percent year-on-year to AED174.1 billion — the highest quarterly value on record — and accounted...
Economy
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Saudia to acquire 20 wide-body aircraft
10 of these being acquired for its flydaeal low-cost airline
Business
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...
Economy
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...
Geostrategy
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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.