GCC lenders should reassess credit risks continuously
Today's environment calls for continuous reassessment rather than periodic review. Institutions need to challenge assumptions, stress-test portfolios against multiple scenarios,...
Analysis
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
Business
Crypto soars in MENA even as it loses sheen elsewhere
A tech-savvy population sees cryptocurrencies a safe investment option as governments adopt progressive regulatory frameworks, offering innovation and investor protection.
- The Middle East has emerged as the sixth-largest crypto economy globally, according to a report by Chainalysis
- Analysts feel the UAE has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to harnessing and regulating the crypto sector
Business
Special economic zones are a new craze in Middle East
Vast swathes of land across the desert region are seeing the sprouting of new special zones to entice big business...
- In 2023, Saudi Arabia set up four new special economic zones, with incentives for international companies to operate within the kingdom
- SEZs are seen as catalysts for economic diversification, which offer platforms for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in non-oil sectors
Business
Germany shares observations on Qatar hosting Autonomous e-Mobility Forum
In its efforts toward sustainable transportation, the German embassy is the first diplomatic representation in Doha to utilize an electric...
- The diplomats shared their observations and views on Qatar’s trajectory as a hub for dialogue and the potential of autonomous e-mobility moving forward
- The German embassy is indeed the first diplomatic representation in Doha to utilize an electric vehicle as a staff car
Business
QFZ, AEMOB to drive EV innovation
AEMOB Forum will be held in Qatar from April 30 to May 2
- The collaboration harnesses QFZ’s unique position in facilitating trade and investment to propel the e-mobility ecosystem forward
- Scheduled to convene in Doha, Qatar from April 30 to May 2, the AEMOB Forum serves as a platform for driverless e-mobility
Geostrategy
Tehran, Baghdad to launch maritime passenger transport line
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran and Iraq will launch the first maritime passenger transport line within the next two months, an...
- Given the readiness of Iran’s Abadan and Khorramshahr ports for the transportation of passengers to the destination of Wasliya and Basra ports in Iraq..
- the officials of the two sides have expressed their readiness for the initiation of the transportation of passengers via sea, Ali Akbar Safaei emphasized.
Business
Air Arabia Egypt marks its first flight to Istanbul
CAIRO, Egypt – Air Arabia Egypt on Sunday commenced its first non-stop flight from Cairo International Airport to Sabiha Gökçen...
- Upon arrival at Istanbul, the flight was greeted with a water cannon salute and a welcome ceremony.
- The newly added route will connect both cities with a frequency of three weekly flights.
Business
DWTC welcomes 2.47m visitors in 2023, says EVP
DUBAI, UAE – Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) Mahir Julfar said that the DWTC's performance in 2023...
- Over 722,000 were international visitors to various events, showcasing an unparalleled 60 percent growth rate year-on-year.
- Flagship events such as GITEX Global and Gulfood maintained their leadership positions in their respective sectors.
Business
Jordanian industrialists call for export diversification
AMMAN, JORDAN – Jordanian industrialists have emphasized the imperative of strategic planning to bolster export diversification, underlining key measures such...
- They called for expanding outreach to foreign markets, fostering collaboration between the government and the industrial sector.
- Jordan has taken several measures to stimulate domestic exports, improve market access and maximize the benefits of existing free trade agreements.
Tesla to unveil robotaxi in August
Its shares rose more than three percent in after-market trades.
- Tesla models with Full Self-Driving "will be superhuman to such a degree that it will seem strange in the future that humans drove cars," Elon Musk wrote in his post on X
- Musk has also said that owners of Tesla vehicles with FSD will be able to have their cars serve as robotaxis, rather than remain idly parked
GCC lenders should reassess credit risks continuously
Today's environment calls for continuous reassessment rather than periodic review. Institutions need to challenge assumptions, stress-test portfolios against multiple scenarios,...
Analysis
Company News
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Warner Bros rejects Paramount bid, sticks with Netflix, says terms of Netflix merger were better
Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday rejected a hostile takeover bid by Paramount launched last week to trump plans by streaming...
Business
Famed Jerusalem stone still sells despite West Bank economic woes
Sair, Palestinian Territories - Despite the catastrophic state of the Palestinian economy, Faraj al-Atrash, operator of a quarry in the...
Business
Netflix boss promises Warner Bros films would still be seen in cinemas
Netflix will continue to distribute Warner Bros. films in cinemas if its takeover bid for the storied studio is successful,...
Business
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Business
Trump says US will allow sale of Nvidia AI chips to China
Washington, United States - President Donald Trump said Monday he had reached an agreement with President Xi Jinping to allow...
- "President Xi responded positively! $25% will be paid to the United States of America," Trump wrote, without providing details on how the payment mechanism would work
- "We applaud President Trump's decision to allow America's chip industry to compete to support high paying jobs and manufacturing in America," an Nvidia spokesperson told AFP
Business
Netflix’s $83 billion takeover of Warner Bros reshapes Hollywood as regulators prepare intense antitrust scrutiny
Streaming giant Netflix said Friday it will buy film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion, the...
- The acquisition, which will face regulatory scrutiny by the Trump administration and is opposed by top names in Hollywood, gives Netflix access to a vast film catalog
- It does not include cable channels such as CNN, TNT, TBS and Discovery, which are being spun off by Warner Bros. Discovery before the deal is due to close.
Business
Amazon tests ‘ultra-fast’ deliveries in two US cities
San Francisco, United States - Amazon on Monday began testing "ultra-fast" deliveries in two US cities, giving some shoppers the...
- Amazon is piloting its new “Amazon Now” feature in select neighbourhoods, offering items ranging from groceries to electronics
- Delivery fees for the ultra-fast service start at $3.99 for Prime members and $13.99 for non-members

