Anthropic announces massive AI chip deal with Google
San Francisco, United States - Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic said Thursday it was expanding its use of Google cloud computing...
Science
Gold falls again as rally comes to halt, Asian markets drop
Gold and silver tumbled for a second day Wednesday, bringing a rally in the precious metals to a juddering halt,...
Economy
Economy
Central Bank of Egypt keeps interest rates unchanged
Cairo, Egypt – The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has kept the current key...
- The decision leaves the overnight deposit rate at 19.25 percent and the overnight lending rate at 20.25 percent
- The MPC noted a decline in key international commodity prices, especially energy, which has eased global inflation pressures
Economy
Saudi EXIM Bank, DBK sign MoU
It will boost the trade between Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan.
- Under the MoU, both banks have also agreed to exchange information, experiences, and best practices to enhance the development of services and products
- It will also facilitate collaborative research efforts and knowledge sharing to design export credit policies and practices and provide workforce training opportunities
Economy
‘Private sector plays vital role in Gulf integration’
"The GCC has all the potential to become a strong economic alliance capable of asserting itself on the global economic...
- The GCC has all the potential to become a strong economic alliance capable of asserting itself on the global economic map.
- This potential is attributed to its natural resources, distinctive geographical location, and robust global alliances with nations.
Economy
UAE banking sector sees $71.87 billion in savings deposits until October 2023
Dubai, UAE - Savings Deposits in the banking sector in the UAE, excluding interbank deposits, hit $71.87 billion by the...
- The local currency, the dirham, accounted for the largest share of Savings Deposits, with around 82 percent, which is $59.12 billion
- Demand Deposits rose to $262.77 billion at the end of October 2023, with an annual growth rate of 5.6 percent
Economy
Climate threats haunt GCC’s economy and finance
The GCC faces a critical challenge as climate risks like extreme heat and water stress rise, potentially impacting the region's...
- The GCC faces a critical challenge as climate risks like extreme heat and water stress rise, potentially impacting the region's economic stability and financial health.
- A new S&P Global report underscores the urgency for adaptation and resilience investments to mitigate risks such as climate-induced flooding.
Economy
Lebanon economy to plunge into recession due to Gaza war
The impact of the conflict had reversed a slight recovery for Lebanon, which has battled a deep economic crisis for...
- Lebanon's economy collapsed in late 2019, plunging most of the population into poverty, according to the United Nations.
- Real gross domestic product is expected to decline "to between minus 0.6 percent to minus 0.9 percent depending on the extent of the tourism shock," the World Bank said.
Geostrategy
Angola departure a blow for OPEC+ as cartel tensions rise
Despite slashing oil production for months on end and announcing new cuts in late November, the Organization of the Petroleum...
- Prices are sitting at their lowest level in nearly six months despite the cartel's announcement in November to further cut output.
- Angola is far from the first small country to quit the cartel. Indonesia left in 2009, Qatar in 2019 and Ecuador in 2020.
Economy
UAE consumer spending expected to rise by 5% in 2024: Mastercard report
Dubai, UAE -- Consumer spending in the UAE is expected to increase by 5 percent in 2024, while consumers and...
- Expansionary fiscal policy is set to continue to support growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the report said.
- GCC’s strong push to grow its tourism sector have made the region one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations.
Economy
UAE central bank raises 2024 economic growth forecast to 5.7%
The bank stated in a report released today that the overall GDP for the country is expected to grow by...
- The bank said that the UAE economy recorded a 3.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in the second quarter of the current year, compared to 8 percent recorded in Q2 2022.
- It mentioned that the non-oil GDP growth accelerated to 7.3 percent YoY in the second quarter of the current year, up from 4.5 percent YoY in the previous quarter.
EU agrees on 150-million financial aid for Tunisia
A joint statement said the funds amounting to around $164.3 million "aims to support the efforts undertaken by the Tunisian...
- The aid is part of a partnership agreement reached between the two countries in Tunis on July 16, which included a 105 million euros to curb irregular migration
- The joint press by EU commission and the Tunisian foreign ministry release said the 150-million aid will consist of a "direct financial transfer to the Tunisian public treasury
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Anthropic announces massive AI chip deal with Google
San Francisco, United States - Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic said Thursday it was expanding its use of Google cloud computing...
Science
Company News
Latest News
Global economy under pressure could slow to 2.3 percent: UNCTAD
UNCTAD report '"Trade and Development Foresights 2025 – Under pressure: Uncertainty reshapes global economic prospects” cited mounting threats including trade...
Economy
OPEC lowers 2025 oil demand forecast over impact of US tariffs
The Saudi-led oil cartel said in a monthly report that it now expects demand to grow by 1.3 million barrels...
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s space economy reaches $8.7 billion in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) has said that the Saudi space economy reached $8.7...
Most Read
Business
Why investors rush to gold in uncertain economic times?
London, United Kingdom -- Why do investors flock to gold when economic times turn tough? As the precious metal reaches...
- On Friday it struck an all-time high of $3227.51 an ounce in trading, handing the commodity a gain of more than 20 percent since the start of the year.
- In 2024, global central banks together added more than 1,000 tons of gold to their reserves for the third year running, according to the World Gold Council.
Economy
Trump admits trade war ‘cost’ as markets hit
Jitters about US tariffs hammered Asian stocks again early Friday as President Donald Trump acknowledged a "cost" to his surging...
- Trump acknowledged "a transition cost and transition problems," but dismissed global market turmoil. "In the end it's going to be a beautiful thing."
- On Wall Street, the broad-based S&P 500 finished down 3.5 percent on Thursday after soaring 9.5 percent the day before. The Dow Jones shed 2.5 percent and the Nasdaq 4.3 percent
Geostrategy
European Union and UAE agree to launch trade deal negotiations
Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "and I just decided to launch negotiations on an EU-UAE free trade agreement,"...
- Sheikh Zayed said that the CEPA would create new avenues for cooperation between the UAE and EU, increase trade and investment flows.
- The EU is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 8.3 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade, which hit $67.6 billion in 2024.