AI giant Anthropic to pay $1.5 bn over pirated books
San Francisco, United States - Anthropic will pay at least $1.5 billion to settle a US class action lawsuit over...
Science
Chinese cluster now world’s top innovation hotspot: UN
Geneva, Switzerland -- Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou has overtaken Tokyo-Yokohama to become the world's top cluster for innovation, the United Nations said...
Business
Economy
Lebanon central bank declines to address nation’s deficit through lending
Beirut, Lebanon -- Acting Lebanese Central Bank Governor Wassim Mansouri has said the bank will not be providing government lending...
- Acting Lebanese Central Bank Governor Wassim Mansouri said it will apply to both Lebanese lira and US dollar.
- Mansouri assured that public sector employees would receive their wages for the current month in US dollars, with an exchange rate set at 85,500 liras.
Business
Borouge’s PP5 unit generates $209m sales in H1 2023
ABU DHABI, UAE - Borouge's Chief Operating Officer Dr. Hasan Karam has said the fifth polypropylene unit (PP5) played a...
- Demand for products made from polypropylene is set to rise in the coming decades thanks to its versatility and recyclability.
- Polypropylene market in Asia, Africa and the Middle East is valued at $10 billion and is predicted to grow by 5.5 percent annually.
Geostrategy
Algerian, South African ministers discuss ways to boost economic cooperation
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Algerian Minister of Finance Laaziz Faid discussed with South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwan, ways to...
- The two ministers discussed the available opportunities to enhance trade exchange between Algeria and South Africa.
- The aim of trade exchange and joint investment is achieving sustainable development in the region.
Economy
Iraq and Turkmenistan reach preliminary agreement on gas import
Baghdad, Iraq - Iraq has signed a preliminary agreement with Turkmenistan to import gas. The agreement signed by the undersecretary...
- Turkmenistan is known for its status as a key gas producer regionally and globally
- The country’s natural gas reserves are estimated at 50 trillion cubic meters
Business
$73 bn in saving deposits held by UAE banks during H1 2023
Dubai, UAE - Savings deposits held by UAE banks, excluding interbank deposits, totaled approximately $73.01 billion (AED268.6 billion) by the...
- The saving deposits experienced a monthly growth rate of 5.8%, equivalent to an increase of around $4.02 billion
- The UAE Dirham accounted for the largest portion, constituting about 81.6% of the total, which is approximately $178.71 billion
Economy
Currencies in Middle East resilient from Covid period till date Â
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - As the world grapples with the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Middle Eastern countries, particularly...
- Saudi Arabian Riyal and UAE Dirham maintain stability against US Dollar from 2020 to 2023.
- Both the countries witness GDP growth of 45 percent and 43 percent respectively during the period.
Business
Dubai Chambers saves water, works on sustainability agenda
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Chambers has contributed to the emirate’s drive for sustainability by saving a total of 72,239 litres...
- The savings were achieved as part of the chambers’ participation in Dubai Can, a sustainability initiative launched by the Crown Prince of Dubai.
- Dubai Can is aimed at educating and mobilising all segments of society to reduce waste and protect the environment.
Economy
Greek firefighters struggle to control wildfires for sixth day
Athens, Greece--Hundreds of firefighters in Greece struggled Thursday to gain the upper hand against major wildfires burning unchecked for a sixth...
- Threatening a national park, a huge blaze continued to burn on Mount Parnitha near Athens, in the largest forest adjoining the capital
- According to a government minister, Greece was going through the worst summer of fires since fire-risk maps were introduced in 2009
Economy
Egypt reports drop in unemployment rate in Q2 of 2023
Cairo, Egypt--Egypt's unemployment rate fell slightly by 0.1 percent to 7 percent in the second quarter of 2023, according to...
- According to data, some two million Egyptians were without work, including 1.2 million men and 941,000 women
- The country's annual inflation rate jumped to 38.2% in July, up from 14.6% in the same month a year earlier
Economy
COP28 will provide a pivotal moment in climate action
The conference will focus on practical aspects, unifying action, and establishing partnerships, as well as aligning efforts to transition from...
- COP28 will focus on practical solutions, unifying global action, and fostering partnerships, says IUCN chairwoman
- The conference aims for a "human-centric" approach, emphasizing nature, food, health, and climate resilience, she adds.
AI giant Anthropic to pay $1.5 bn over pirated books
San Francisco, United States - Anthropic will pay at least $1.5 billion to settle a US class action lawsuit over...
Science
Company News
Latest News
China factory activity contracts for second straight month
Beijing, China - Factory activity in China shrank for a second straight month in June, data showed Sunday, underscoring the country's...
Economy
UAE realty sector poised for growth as central bank forecasts 6.2% GDP growth in 2025
Factors such as increased foreign investment, ambitious urban projects, and favorable regulatory reforms are expected to propel the real estate...
Business
RTA launches Phase II Study of Intelligent Traffic Systems Initiative
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started the study and design of Phase II of ITS Improvement and Expansion...
Economy
Most Read
Economy
UAE, Qatar Central banks keep interest rates unchanged towing the line with US Fed
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Qatar Central Bank (QCB) have decided to keep interest rates unchanged, following...
- The US Fed funds rate was maintained at the 5.25% - 5.50% range
- The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed no increase in May
Economy
Saudi Arabia launches ‘National Semiconductor Hub’Â
At least 50 semiconductor design companies will be established in Saudi Arabia by 2030 after a new initiative was launched to develop...
- To be supported by deep tech venture capital fund that exceeds $266 million
- Hub is a strategic effort to establish a semiconductor design industry ecosystem in Saudi worth SR50 billionÂ
Economy
Concerns and optimism on World Environment Day as Arabian Gulf takes bold initiatives
Political and business leaders in the Arabian Gulf region push for sustainability agenda to secure clean environment for the future...
- "In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs. We are the meteor. We are not only in danger. We are the danger", says UN chief
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid says: "We renew our call to the younger generations to make all efforts to ensure its [environment's] sustainability."