Trump says no reason to meet Xi, threatens ‘massive’ China tariffs
US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels the need for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping...
Economy
OpenAI signs multi-billion dollar chip deal with AMD
OpenAI signed a multi-year partnership Monday with chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices as the ChatGPT-maker continues an investment spree to secure...
Business
Business
Luxembourg, EU’s richest country, grapples with housing crisis
Luxembourg, Luxembourg -- Luxembourg's residents may be classified as the wealthiest in the European Union, but the sky-high cost of buying...
- In the capital city, new-build flats sell for around $1,300 per square foot and older ones go for 10,700 euros. The average cost of a house is 1.5 million.
- Housing crisis has become the number one concern in the Grand Duchy of 660,000 people -- smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest US state -- as it goes to the polls on Sunday.
Tens of millions of children uprooted by climate disasters: UNICEF
In a sweeping report on the issue, the United Nations agency detailed the heart-wrenching stories of some of the children...
- From 2016 to 2021, floods, storms, droughts and wildfires led to 43.1 million child displacements in 44 countries, the UNICEF report says
- UNICEF called on world leaders to take up the issue of child displacement at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in November and December
Economy
GCC economic integration: The grouping okays more measures at Muscat meeting
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved several more regulations and resolutions as part of its...
- GCC took more steps to complete the GCC Customs Union and the GCC Common Market to achieve economic unity by 2025
- Muscat meeting also took note of the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between GCC countries and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Economy
Innovative solutions crucial to deal with challenges
"From 2021 to 2022, Saudi exports to Portugal jumped by 50 percent, and imports from Portugal rose by nearly 40...
- Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal F. Alibrahim, emphasizes collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Portugal
- From 2021 to 2022, Saudi exports to Portugal jumped by 50%, and imports from Portugal rose by nearly 40%, resulting in a trade volume of $1bn
Market Report
Tadawul’s sukuk, bonds market sees $3.4bn negotiated deals in first 9 months of 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Saudi Exchange's (Tadawul) sukuk and bonds market witnessed 74 negotiated deals worth nearly SAR 12.77...
- March recorded the highest number and value of deals, as 18 transactions were executed at a value of $853 million
- KSA Sukuk 2021-06-10 topped the list in the first nine months of 2023 with US$821 million.
Arts & Culture
People marvel at ancient Iraq in new ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game
The central character, pickpocket turned master assassin Basim, speaks classical Arabic in "Assassin's Creed Mirage",.
- In the game, the hooded and stealthy hero fights his way through an ancient maze of alleyways, souks and rooftops.
- The entire scene in the game has been rendered in loving detail with what its creators say is the help of historical sources.
Economy
Middle East economic growth to fall in 2023, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The growth of the economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to fall...
- The region’s gross domestic product is expected to fall to 1.9 percent in 2023 from 6 percent in 2022, due to oil production cuts.
- The decline in growth this year is expected to be more pronounced in the oil exporting countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Geostrategy
Qatar, Iran discuss cooperation in free zones, investment
DOHA, QATAR - Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Free Zones Authority Ahmad bin...
- The Qatari minister and the Advisor to the Iranian President discussed reinforcing cooperation between the two countries.
- The Iranian leader and accompanying delegation toured the Free Zones at Ras Bufontas and Umm Alhoul Free Zone.
Economy
Largest climate fund seeks new funding for vulnerable
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was set up as part of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement to funnel grants and...
- The Green Climate Fund says Thursday's conference in Germany will allow it to invest more in a decade it sees as critical for climate action
- It has laid out a 50by30 vision to manage $50 billion by 2030, almost triple its current capital of $17bn, to focus efforts on developing countries
Economy
‘Qatar remains committed to curb financial crimes’
The Gulf country "remains commitment to international strategies and plans targeting financial crime. In 2023, FATF completed its evaluation of...
- Qatar has achieved top compliance levels in combating financial crimes, as recognized by the Financial Action Task Force
- In 2023, the FATF completed its evaluation of Qatar's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system
Trump says no reason to meet Xi, threatens ‘massive’ China tariffs
US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels the need for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Fifth France-Arab Summit: Forging partnerships for a sustainable tomorrow
As the world grapples with uncertainty, the summit offers a much-needed space for cooperation and innovation, led by the Franco-Arab...
Business
ECB to cut rates again amid bleak eurozone outlook
The European Central Bank is expected to cut interest rates again this week amid a darkening outlook, with political turbulence...
World Bank announces record $100 bn support for world’s poorest countries
The World Bank announced Thursday that it had raised close to $24 billion to provide loans and grants for some...
Most Read
Seoul stocks sink amid S. Korea drama as Asian markets struggle
South Korean stocks sank more than two percent Wednesday while the won rebounded from earlier losses after President Yoon Suk...
- The Kospi index shed as much as 2.3 percent at the open
- The won tumbled more than three percent to a two-year low of 1,444 per dollar
Economy
Non-oil sectors drive robust growth in GCC countries, says World Bank report
While developing countries paid a record US$1.4 trillion to service debts, the non-oil sectors in the GCC countries are fueling...
- "The [GCC] region has shown remarkable resilience in the face of global disruptions, moving steadily on their diversification agenda."
- Saudi Arabia's growth is expected to accelerate to an average of 4.7 percent in 2025-2026 as oil production increases.
Desertification talks open in Saudi Arabia as experts fire warning
UN talks aimed at halting the degradation and desertification of vast swathes of land start in Saudi Arabia. Forest loss...
- 3.7 billion acres must be restored by decade's end to combat crises
- Forest loss and degraded soils were reducing resilience to climate change and biodiversity loss