OpenAI releases ChatGPT-5 as AI race accelerates
San Francisco, United States -- OpenAI released a keenly awaited new generation of its hallmark ChatGPTÂ on Thursday, touting "significant" advancements...
Business
Jordan sees decrease in number of tourists over Gaza war
Amman, Jordan -- Jordan has seen a decrease in the number of tourists visiting its famed ancient city of Petra...
Business
Economy
Kuwait 2023-24 draft budget estimates $22.2 billion deficit
Lower oil prices and volumes attributed to the estimated deficit, according to a newspaper report. MP Osama Al-Zaid said the...
- Al-Zaid said non-oil revenues were estimated at 2.2 billion dinars, an increase of 10 percent over the previous budget.
- He said these were only estimates, not real deficit, and Kuwait "will be able to avoid it by maximizing state revenues, controlling expenditures, and preventing financial waste".
Economy
UAE per capita income rises to 7th rank globally
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE ranked seventh in the world in terms of per capita national income, according to...
- According to the Atlas method, the per capita national income in the UAE, in current US dollars, increased to US$48,950 in 2022.
- The expression of Gross National Income (GNI) in US dollars is done using the Atlas method, which was introduced in its current form in 1989.
Business
East Pipes, Banque Saudi Fransi ink pact
Funds will be used to finance working capital for projects.
- The agreement is worth US$293 million (SAR 1.1 billion).
- AÂ promissory note of $306 million was provided to guarantee the credit facility.
Economy
Middle East firms pay fortune for employee burnout
A TRENDS exclusive report takes a hard look at how tens of thousands of white-collar workers in Middle East are...
- It is estimated that businesses in the Middle East suffer a loss of $100 billion every year on account of mental health challenges due to lost working hours
- It has also been found that only 15 percent of white-collar workers across the MENA region have access to professional mental health resources
Egypt annual inflation surges to record 36.8 percent in June
The Egyptian pound has lost half its value against the dollar since early last year, shooting prices upward and adding...
- The previous record of 34.2 percent in July 2017 came, as it does now, following a sharp currency devaluation connected to a bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund
- Official data had shown skyrocketing inflation appearing to ease in the past few months, before food and drink prices alone registered a 64.9 percent increase compared to June 2022
Economy
Middle East firms pay fortune for employee burnout
A TRENDS exclusive report takes a hard look at how tens of thousands of white-collar workers in Middle East are...
- It is estimated that businesses in the Middle East suffer a loss of $100 billion every year on account of mental health challenges due to lost working hours
- It has also been found that only 15 percent of white-collar workers across the MENA region have access to professional mental health resources
Business
Dubai Transport Authority’s digital channels record 10% jump in 2022 revenues
Dubai, UAE-- Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has reported a 10 percent increase in revenues for 2022 to $953...
- RTA reported 814 million digital transactions up from 676 million in 2021, a 20 percent growth rate, in addition to a 30 percent jump in the number of registered users
- Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of RTA, said that the company was going ahead with its digitization projects in order to increase its global competitiveness
Business
EU, New Zealand ink deal to enhance trade by 30 percent in a decade
The European Union and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement which Brussels says can lift exchanges between the two...
- New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said it "will generate substantive new economic opportunities. It's of huge benefit to both partners."
- "New Zealand is a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific region, and this free trade agreement will bring us even closer together," the EU chief said from Brussels.
Geostrategy
Pro-Iran parties urge Iraq to clear energy dues with Tehran
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - A powerful alliance of pro-Iran factions in Iraq called on Sunday on Baghdad to pressure the United States...
- Iraq, ravaged by decades of conflict and international sanctions, relies on gas imported from its eastern neighbor for a third of its energy needs.
- To reduce their dependence on Iranian gas, Iraq has been exploring several possibilities including imports from Gulf countries like Qatar.
Business
Dubai to expand EV charging points by 170 percent till 2025
DUBAI, UAE- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) aims to grow the city’s network of public charging stations by 170...
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority aims to grow the city’s network of public charging stations by 170 percent in less than three years.
- The emirate’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 seek to generate 100 percent of its power from clean energy sources by 2050.
OpenAI releases ChatGPT-5 as AI race accelerates
San Francisco, United States -- OpenAI released a keenly awaited new generation of its hallmark ChatGPTÂ on Thursday, touting "significant" advancements...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Gulf nations transition from oil to solar powerhouses
The Gulf region is embracing the future of energy by investing in polysilicon production, crucial for solar panel manufacturing, with...
Economy
Cash-strapped Pakistan gets draft approval for $1.1 bn IMF payout
Islamabad, Pakistan - Pakistan reached a tentative deal to unlock a $1.1 billion tranche of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout...
Economy
UK inflation slows to lowest level since September 2021
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said "food prices were the main driver of the fall, with prices almost unchanged this...
Economy
Most Read
Date palm cultivation in AlUla sees increased productivity
AlUla, Saudi Arabia - Date palm cultivation in AlUla governorate has witnessed a significant increase in productivity this year, with...
- The governorate boasts more than 2 million date palm trees, and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is actively engaged in expanding the tree count
- AlUla plans to support farmers and enhance the value of dates by organizing festivals and markets that enable farmers to sell and export their products
Science
Google’s new AI for corner kick tactics gets Liverpool approval
PARIS, FRANCE – Liverpool football analysts have given their seal of approval to a new artificial intelligence tool from Google that...
- Many clubs across the world already deploy experts to comb through video and data to carefully plan corner kick scenarios ahead of matches.
- Google DeepMind, the AI arm of the US tech giant, also targeted corners for its new TacticAI system in research.
Business
UAE investments abroad reach US$2.5trn in beginning of 2024, says UAEIIC
ABU DHABI, UAE – The United Arab Emirates has solidified its position as a leading regional and global player in...
- This robust financial footprint positions the UAE as a significant economic force with strong potential for continued expansion.
- The focus on emerging markets and the creation of strategic partnerships further amplifies this momentum.