Social media platform X to shutter local operations in Brazil
Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, will shutter its local operations in Brazil following a bitter legal tussle over the...Business
Saudi Arabia submits official bid to host FIFA World Cup 2034 after successful Qatar event in 2022
The next steps include official visits by FIFA and a comprehensive evaluation of the bid.Arts & Culture Business Culture & Society Sports
The DCO Council announces multilateral initiatives to bridge digital divide
Manama, Bahrain - The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), a global intergovernmental organization dedicated to fostering digital prosperity for all by...Topics of discussion included cross-border market growth; the value of data; human-centric and sustainable digital economy
The DCO Council also announced the joining of Bangladesh, Qatar, and Greece as the new member states
Air cargo demand rebounds in 2023 amid economic uncertainty
Geneva, Switzerland-- Air cargo demand rebounded in 2023 with a particularly strong fourth quarter performance despite economic uncertainties, according to...Carriers across the Middle East recorded a jump in demand of 1.6 percent for international operations in 2023 compared to 2022
Airlines in the region posted an 18.3% increase in December in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2022
Rise of GenAI boosts phishing threats during holidays
The sophistication of GenAI-driven phishing attacks requires robust security, including advanced DDoS protection and proactive cyber resilience strategies, says an...The sophistication of GenAI-driven phishing attacks requires robust security, including advanced DDoS protection and proactive cyber resilience strategies, says an expert.
Emad Fahmy of NETSCOUT recommends establishing strong passwords, exercising caution online, and extensive use of VPNs to enhance cybersecurity amid rising threats.
GSK profit in 2023 falls
The drug maker said revenues swelled 3 percent to $38.54bn.Profit after tax slid sharply to £4.9 billion ($6.2 billion) last year from £14.9 billion in 2022, when it received a massive gain from the Haleon demerger
However, underlying adjusted operating profit, excluding exceptional items, jumped 12 percent to £8.8 billion last year to beat company guidance
Global stock markets swing ahead of Fed’s latest rate decision
"Markets are eagerly anticipating today's meeting from the Federal Reserve with traders looking for signs over whether a March rate...London and Paris rose but Frankfurt fell near the half-way stage, after a mixed showing in Asia. The dollar edged higher against the euro and yen
Investors are hoping the Fed will begin cutting rates soon after hiking them to their highest level in more than two decades to combat inflation
IMF says Red Sea shipping down one-third due to Houthi attacks
"Container shipping... has declined by almost 30 percent," said Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia...The Iran-backed Houthis have launched more than 30 attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels since November 19, the Pentagon said on Tuesday
Houthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a route that carries about 12 percent of global trade
Middle Eastern carriers record 1.6% increase in air cargo demand: IATA
Geneva, Switzerland -- Middle Eastern carriers reported a 1.6 percent increase for global and international demand in 2023 compared to 2022...In December, airlines in the region posted an 18.3 percent increase in demand for both global and international operations compared to 2022.
Global full-year demand in 2023, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTKs), was down 1.9 percent compared to 2022 (-2.2 percent for international operations).
CBD posts record net profit of $721m
The bank has proposed record cash dividend of 44.38 fils per share.Operating income was AED 4.93 billion, up 29.5 percent attributable to higher net interest income and improved fee and commission income.
The bank proposed record cash dividend of 44.38 fils per share. It added that higher market interest rates contributed to the increase in revenue.
Qatar awards $6bn in contracts for Al-Shaheen oilfield expansion
The four engineering, installation and procurement contracts will increase production at the Al-Shaheen oilfield -- the country's largest -- by...Al-Shaheen currently produces 300,000 barrels per day and is operated through the North Oil Company, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and France's TotalEnergies.
QatarEnergy said the third phase of expansion at Al-Shaheen, which began production in 1994, will be implemented over five years.
TECOM Group net profit up 49%
The company recorded its highest-ever revenue of AED 2.2 billion.The lease of industrial lands witnessed a strong demand in 2023, as the occupancy rate rose to 94 percent, compared to 81 percent in 2022.
The company has recommended a dividend payout of AED400 million to the company's shareholders for the second half of 2023.