GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
UAE launches first 7-year Islamic Treasury Sukuk worth $150 million
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE Ministry of Finance said on Sunday it had launched its first-ever seven-year tranche of...
Business
Business
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...
- The event, under the high patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, brings together governments, businesses, and visionaries
- By working together, France and the Arab world have the opportunity to shape the future
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...
- The central bank hiked rates aggressively from mid-2022 to tame surging energy and food costs
- Eurozone's anaemic growth rates are weighing down the broader single currency area
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...
- The Bank can use this money to borrow on financial markets
- This funding will be deployed to support the 78 countries that need it most
OPEC+ expected to extend oil supply cuts to avoid drop in prices
Without a new agreement, the eight countries which have been making voluntary additional production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per...
- The supply cuts are only having a muted impact on the market, with US president-elect Donald Trump expected to adopt policies to boost US oil output
- OPEC+ nations are holding back six million barrels of oil a day, including the 2.2 million barrels a day of output that they have been discussing putting back on the market
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
How city governments can foster tech-sector growth without breaking the bank
City governments are usually equipped to promote their cities through websites, newsletters, communications, as well as hosting delegations visiting from...
- City governments are uniquely positioned to support startup ecosystems through a range of low-cost, high-impact methods
- The success of a startup ecosystem is built on the strength of connections that exist between the various organisations and people within it
Trump threatens 100% tariff on BRICS countries over currency plans
Washington, United States - President-elect Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on the BRICS group nations...
- The statement comes after a BRICS summit held last month in Kazan, Russia, where the countries discussed boosting non-dollar transactions and strengthening local currencies
- The BRICS group has expanded significantly since its inception in 2009, and now includes countries such as Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates
Car-centric Saudi to open first part of Riyadh Metro
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday it is ready to open the first part of the Riyadh Metro,...
- Services will be provided by 183 trains with 448 carriages manufactured by Siemens of Germany, Bombardier of Canada and Alstom of France
- The official Saudi Press Agency published a photograph of King Salman, who served as governor of Riyadh for nearly half a century, formally declaring that the project open
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
Abu Dhabi GDP grows 3.8% to $83.40bn in Q2 as non-oil sectors hit record
The non-oil economy expanded 6.6 percent year-on-year to AED174.1 billion — the highest quarterly value on record — and accounted...
Economy
Amazon adds AI muscle to connected home lineup
New York, United States - Amazon on Tuesday unveiled the latest generation of connected products, featuring enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities...
Business
Microsoft trims service to Israel over Gaza surveillance
San Francisco, United States - Microsoft on Thursday said it cut an Israeli defense unit's access to some cloud services...
Geostrategy
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Business
WhatsApp, Twitch among sites that could face Australia under-16s social media ban
Tech companies including WhatsApp and Reddit as well as streaming giant Twitch and gaming firm Roblox could be among more...
- The head of Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has written to 16 more companies to "self-assess" whether they fall under the ban's remit
- Companies will need to make a case if they believe their platform should be exempt from the ban, the national broadcaster ABC said
Geostrategy
Floating wind power sets sail in Japan’s energy shift
Still heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, Japan has declared offshore wind energy a "trump card" in its drive to...
- That's despite rising project costs and fears over inadequate infrastructure to produce turbines en masse.
- Floating turbines are particularly well suited to Japan as its deep coastal waters make fixing them to seabeds tricky.
Science
UNGA80: World leaders to discuss framework for inclusive, accountable AI governanc
As there is no recognised body to govern AI on a global level, world leaders will gather in New York...
- The UN says Artificial AI has been rapidly transforming the world including everything from self-driving cars to the analysis of medical images
- However, it notes that the benefits of AI are unevenly distributed, and many countries struggle to access the tools which could transform their societies by supporting development