Ring, Lloyds Bank and Snapchat hit by massive internet outage
Lloyds Bank and Halifax’s mobile apps went down for users on Monday after a major outage linked to Amazon Web...
Business
Economy
Esports World Cup returns with record-breaking participation, global reach
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia continues to cement its position as a global hub for gaming, esports, and entertainment...
- Speakers confirmed that this year’s edition will be the biggest and most remarkable to date, featuring over 2,000 players representing 200 teams
- Competitors will vie for a prize pool totaling USD 70 million across 25 tournaments, covering 24 games, including chess, Valorant, and Fatal Fury
Geostrategy
Dubai Islamic Bank completes $1bn sovereign financing Pakistan
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has announced the successful completion of a landmark US$1 billion syndicated term-finance facility...
- The five-year facility is an innovative transaction, partially guaranteed by a Policy-Based Guarantee (PBG) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
- DIB acted as the Sole Islamic Global Coordinator and alongside Standard Chartered also served as the Joint Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner.
Business
Saudi chocolate industry booms with over 3,500 commercial records
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- On the World Chocolate Day, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce announced that the total number of...
- Riyadh leads the Kingdom in chocolate manufacturing, boasting 1,490 commercial records.
- Saudi Arabia is the region’s biggest market for chocolates and, in 2024, the Kingdom imported a whopping 123 million kg of chocolate.
Geostrategy
Iran voices ‘serious doubts’ over Israel’s commitments, including the ceasefire
Iran also writes to the UN chief to recognize the Israeli regime and the United States as the "initiators of...
- According to Iran's health ministry, at least 627 civilians were killed and 4,900 injured during the 12-day war with Israel.
- Retaliatory missile attacks by Iran on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli authorities.
Geostrategy
Airlines suspend or reduce flights in Middle East after Iran strikes
British Airways cancelled flights between London's Heathrow Airport and Dubai and Doha on Sunday following the US strikes on Iran....
- Germany's Lufthansa group, whose other airlines include Swiss, Austrian and ITA, has suspended flights to the Middle East until June 30.
- Turkish airline Pegasus has scrapped flights to Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon until June 30, and Iran until July 30.
Geostrategy
MENA Brief | June 19: GCC central banks hold interest rates steady, Diriyah House launched in London
As most currencies in the region are pegged to the US dollar, monetary policy follows the decisions taken in Washington,...
- Saudi-based Cluster2 Airports Company signed a strategic MoU with Airbus. The agreement will see the deployment of the Agnet Turnaround platform across Cluster2’s 22 airports.
- Saudi National Bank (SNB) has issued $1.25 billion in Tier 2 bonds at a 6% profit rate under its $10 billion Euro Medium Term Note program.
Economy
MENA Brief – June 16: Netanyahu eyes Gaza breakthrough, Iran rejects talks, Trump at G7, UAE oil giant bids big
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there’s a fresh opening to free hostages held in Gaza, backing a US-mediated proposal...
- In major energy news, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company has launched an $18.7 billion takeover bid for Australia’s Santos, offering a 28% premium
- The UAE’s economic momentum remains strong: its GDP grew 4% in 2024 to AED1.77 trillion, driven by a 5% rise in non-oil sectors
Geostrategy
MENA Brief June 14: Iran-Israel War, Abu Dhabi Summit, Saudi Football Rise, & More
Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military...
- Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military leaders and hit nuclear sites
- French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the planned UN conference on a two-state solution in New York has been delayed due to security and logistical concerns
Analysis
MENA Brief: Key Geopolitical, Defence, and Innovation Updates – June 11, 2025
Regional tensions, high-stakes defence deals, and new innovation-led collaborations defined the Middle East and North Africa landscape on Wednesday. Here’s...
- Turkey announced a landmark agreement to supply 48 domestically produced KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets to Indonesia
- Kuwait announced that expatriates working in the private sector will now require employer consent to leave the country
Geostrategy
MENA brief Jun 11: Umrah returns, ADGM surges, Abu Dhabi property market up
China has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—boosting bilateral...
- Mashreq Bank’s debut $500 million sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai under its $2.5 billion program offers a 5.03 % profit yield.
- Nigeria’s planned $5 billion oil‑backed loan with Saudi Aramco is stalled amid falling Brent crude prices and production constraints.
Most Read
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
Ring, Lloyds Bank and Snapchat hit by massive internet outage
Lloyds Bank and Halifax’s mobile apps went down for users on Monday after a major outage linked to Amazon Web...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Saudi Bank credit grows by over 116 billion in one year by June 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Bank credit extended to the public and private sectors in the Kingdom continued its upward trend,...
Economy
Ajman records real-estate deals worth $381 million in July
Ajman, UAE -- Real estate transactions valued at AED 1.48 billion ($381 million) were recorded in Ajman in July 2025....
Saudi non-oil exports increase by 17.8 percent in second quarter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rose by 17.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025, according to...
Economy
Most Read
Science
UAE Cyber Security Council: Over 12,000 Wi-Fi breaches recorded in UAE since start of year
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned of the serious risks posed by using open...
- According to the Council, these incidents account for nearly 35% of the total cyberattacks reported in the UAE
- It counselled vigilance when connecting to free or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, stressing that users should adopt safe practices
Business
Creators HQ attracts 2,415 active members from 147 countries
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai’s Creator HQ, the first headquarters for content creators in the UAE and the Middle East, has...
- The initiative aims to position the UAE as a global hub for the content economy, with a target of 10,000 creators in its next phase.
- The headquarters also reports that 78 global content companies from 24 countries have relocated to the UAE.
Business
Buraidah date carnival boosts Saudi tourism and economy
Buraidah, Saudi Arabia -- The Buraidah Date Carnival witnessed growing economic and tourism activity, making it a key destination for...
- The event combined morning date auctions with a variety of cultural and entertainment activities held in the evening at the King Khalid Cultural Center.
- The carnival offered visitors the chance to explore Buraidah’s historical and cultural landmarks through tourist bus tours.