Google makes case for keeping Chrome browser in US court
Washington, United States - Google on Friday urged a US judge to reject the notion of making it spin off...
Business
United Kingdom renationalizes first train operator under Labor reforms
London, United Kingdom -- Britain's South Western Railways on Sunday becomes the first private train operator to be returned to...
Economy
Economy
Smart cities lead GCC’s IoT boom: NEOM and Smart Dubai in focus
IoT applications are transforming critical sectors such as transportation, where connected vehicles improve traffic management, utilities where smart grids enhance...
- For instance, to manage the flow of massive stadium crowds during the FIFA World Cup, Qatar leveraged “digital twins,” aggregating data from 40,000 IoT devices.
- In a similar vein, Dubai’s Enterprise Command and Control Center uses a combination of AI, digital camera, and thermal imaging technologies to oversee 11,000 surveillance cameras.
Economy
Building an anticipatory governance strategy for an increasingly risky world
Anticipatory governance is crucial in navigating today’s risks. While AI tools enhance forecasting, early warning does not always lead to...
- Global geopolitical shifts are reshaping alliances, creating an unstable multipolar order
- Climate change, AI, and conflicts are accelerating faster than expected, disrupting globalization
Economy
Building Smart Cities Starts with Listening to People
Successful smart cities address real challenges, like Mexico City’s digitalization of government services.
- Smart cities must prioritize people over technology to ensure long-term success and acceptance
- Ignoring community needs can lead to backlash and project failures, as seen in Toronto and Mexico
Interview
Tech and sustainability drive Singapore’s smart tourism vision
To realize its vision for “smart tourism”, Singapore Tourism Board is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and...
- STB’s Tcube, a hybrid innovation space launched in 2021, has helped tourism businesses introduce tech solutions, including Al, into their operations.
- More than 1,100 tourism companies have benefited from Tcube programs. Its Singapore Tourism Accelerator has supported 47 start-ups to develop 58 industry solutions across 6 cohorts
Economy
The backbone of the digital economy is upskilling: Jayney Howson
AI won't replace jobs, but reskilling will unlock its true potential—lifelong learning is the key, Jayney Howson, SVP of Learning...
- We’re entering a new phase in the relationship between humans and technology, one that thrives on innovation and potential, Jayney Howson tells TRENDS
- We will see many new jobs and roles emerge, such as “Chief AI Officers” (CAIO), “Prompt Engineers” and “AI Ethicists,” he adds
Analysis
Logistics: At the heart of economic activity
The global logistics market is expected to be around US$10 trillion in 2024, and is estimated to reach US$21.91 trillion...
- The logistics market revenue in 2023 was US$485 billion by airways, US$2.85 trillion by waterways, US$2.09 trillion by railways and US$3.52 trillion by roadways.
- In the Arabian Gulf countries, the focus of the logistics and transport industry is moving from the UAE to Saudi Arabia.
Economy
Turkey central bank cuts rate to 42.5% as inflation eases
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's central bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate for a third consecutive time as inflation...
- This is the third time the central bank cut its rate since December as its efforts to tame inflation are paying off
- Consumer prices rose by 39.05 percent last month, down from 42.1 percent in January, according to the country's statistics institute
Interview
The future of luxury residential development needs to be green and smart
The GCC luxury market segment has experienced significant growth, driven by an increase in the number of high-net-worth individuals. Accommodating...
- In the GCC, there's also a real focus on community. Dubai is the United Nations of the world, wherein one residential building might have neighbors from different nations.
- We try to future-proof our building, technologically speaking, to allow people to evolve and go forward, says Belton.
Economy
UAE’s real GDP increases by 3.8% during first nine months of 2024
Dubai, UAE -- The UAE’s real GDP increased by 3.8 percent during the first nine months of 2024 compared to...
- This growth was driven by a strong expansion in non-oil sectors, which grew by 4.5 percent to AED 987 billion.
- The contribution of non-oil activities to real GDP reached 74.6 percent, highlighting the increasing role of these sectors in supporting economic growth.
Opinion
New-Age Growth Comes Home to the GCC
The region, fueled by ambition and massive investment, is rapidly advancing in technology and infrastructure, aiming to secure a leading...
- The GCC’s ongoing “giga” projects, economic diversification, focus on the digital economy, and emerging technologies all signal a promising future.
- With over US$2 trillion invested in capital-intensive projects, the GCC’s future looks increasingly secure, despite persistent negative portrayals in parts of the Western media.
Google makes case for keeping Chrome browser in US court
Washington, United States - Google on Friday urged a US judge to reject the notion of making it spin off...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Massive GCC infrastructure investments set stage for rising foreign equity: Franklin Templeton
The Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity outlook emphasizes how GCC countries have reduced their dependence on oil and gas, opened...
Economy
Apple expects $900 million hit from tariff war
Apple on Thursday reported first-quarter profit above expectations but warned that US tariffs could cost the company and were disrupting...
Economy
Slower growth expected in MENA region in 2025: IMF
"Growth is still projected to increase in 2025 and 2026, but at a considerably slower pace than anticipated last October,"...
Economy
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Economy
Global stocks mostly rise as Trump grants auto tariff relief
Stocks moved sideways on Monday after notching four straight positive sessions last week as Trump adopted a more conciliatory posture...
- Trump's pivot includes limitations on the impact of multiple tariffs on carmakers and a measure to allow carmakers to offset a portion of the levy for two years
- Investors are "encouraged by the Trump decision to be a little more flexible (...) with the autos," said CFRA Research's Sam Stovall, who predicted stocks could go higher
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to settle Syria’s World Bank debt
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced on Sunday that they would settle Syria's debt to the World...
- Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach to Syria's new rulers since the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December.
- The statement came just days after Syria's central bank governor and finance minister attended the IMF and World Bank spring meetings for the first time in more than 20 years.
Business
Trump trade war pushes firms to consider stockpiling
Even if they don't all acknowledge it so openly, firms in many different sectors are stockpiling their products in the United...
- Whether it's the luxury, electronics or pharmaceutical sectors, US President Donald Trump's unpredictability complicates the calculations of firms.
- Some companies didn't wait for Trump's April 2 announcement of massive "reciprocal" trade tariffs: they had already begun shipping more of their goods to the United States.