The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and...
Economy
GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first...
Trump’s tariff threats stoke global fears, prompting retaliation warnings from allies and rivals
US President-elect Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans target Canada, Mexico, and China, raising fears of a global trade war, with...
- The president-elect on Monday placed both allies and rivals on notice, vowing to quickly slap 25% on Canada and Mexico, and add a 10 percent tariff on China
- Following through on that threat or his campaign promise of a 10 percent levy on all US imports - will have ripple effects across the global economy, analysts say
What is the gig economy and what’s the deal for gig workers?
The rise of the gig economy has led to significant shifts in employment, with workers increasingly balancing multiple income streams....
- The gig economy uses digital platforms to connect freelancers with customers to provide short-term services or asset-sharing
- For millions of people, working nine-to-five for a single employer or being on the payroll is no longer a reality
How public-private partnerships can ensure ethical, sustainable and inclusive AI development
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) address AI bias by combining ethical guidelines with technological auditing tools. Governments set accountability frameworks, and companies...
- The rapid pace of AI development, growing awareness of its societal impact and the need to harness AI for good makes bridging the 'AI divide' essential
- By collaborating, stakeholders can ensure AI advances responsibly, equitably and for the greater good, helping to build a more just and sustainable future for all
Iran slams new EU, UK sanctions as unjustified: foreign ministry
ran's foreign ministry Tuesday slammed as unjustified the new sanctions by the European Union and Britain against Tehran over its...
- Sanctions also included the national airline, Iran Air, for transporting ballistic missiles and military supplies to Russia
- Iran's economy suffers from US sanctions following the unilateral US withdrawal in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal
G20 leaders to grapple with climate, taxes, Trump comeback
G20 leaders gather in Brazil on Monday to discuss fighting poverty, boosting climate financing and other multilateral initiatives that could...
- The main star of the show is expected to be Chinese President Xi Jinping
- Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East would be kept off the summit agenda to focus on the poor.
Xi, Biden in Peru for APEC summit, pre-Trump face-to-face
uncertainty over Trump's next moves now clouds the APEC agenda -- as it does for the COP29 climate talks underway...
- President Vladimir Putin of APEC member Russia will not be present
- Trump has threatened tariffs of up to 60 percent on imports of Chinese goods
Advanced nuclear technologies and their role in the energy transition
New policies, public trust, and partnerships are crucial to accelerating these nuclear solutions. Platforms like the Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions...
- Nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance but concerns around safety and cost remain
- Advanced nuclear technologies can help address these concerns but some are only in the early stages of realization
GCC powers ahead in global clean energy transition with solar and hydrogen investments
Now, the region is turning its attention to newer innovations, including hydrogen production, small modular reactors (SMRs), and compact nuclear...
- The approach is to combine gas-based and power-based low-carbon technologies, creating a balanced energy portfolio that capitalizes on each solution's unique strengths
- This strategy ensures a more sustainable energy future that aligns with global climate commitments and contributes to the GCC’s economic diversification goals
Saudi Arabia appoints new CEO to drive NEOM’s mega-city project forward
In a big move, Saudi Arabia appoints Aiman al-Mudaifer as NEOM’s interim CEO, a strategic choice to advance the futuristic...
- The company said that Mudaifer brought with him a "deep and strategic understanding of NEOM" after serving as head of a property arm of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund since 2018
- NEOM is a planned futuristic megacity in northwestern Saudi Arabia meant to feature a ski resort and twin skyscrapers 170 kilometres (105 miles) long
Economy
World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing
Dozens of world leaders convene in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for COP29 but many big names are skipping the UN climate...
- Heads of some of the most powerful and polluting economies are not attending
- Top priority at COP29 is boosting funding for climate action in developing countries
Most Read
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
The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Trump announces steep new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, big-rig trucks, furniture, reviving trade war
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday punishing tariffs on pharmaceuticals, big-rig trucks, home renovation fixtures and furniture, reviving his global...
Economy
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...
Business
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...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Science
After Japanese Softbank, US Govt, Chip-maker Nvidia to buy stake in rival Intel
Shares in chipmaker Intel skyrocketed on Thursday after AI giant Nvidia announced it would invest $5 billion in its struggling...
- "This marks a fusion of two world-class platforms," said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. "Together, we will expand our ecosystems and lay the foundation for the next era of computing."
- The Trump administration surprised the tech industry last month by taking a 10 percent equity stake in Intel, recognizing the strategic importance of the company
Business
Stocks rise on $5 billion Nvidia-Intel deal, Fed rate cut
Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in struggling US rival to jointly develop chips for PCs and data centers. The...
- Investors were also reacting to Wednesday's US central bank decision to lower rates by 25 basis points, its first cut of the year.
- The decision to cut came even as US inflation runs well above policymakers' two-percent target, but analysts said the main focus was on the jobs market.
Economy
US Fed makes first rate cut of 25 basis points over employment risks as Trump mounts pressure
Fed Chair Jerome Powell stressed that the central bank remains "strongly committed" to maintaining its independence from politics, however, when...
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell stressed that the central bank remains "strongly committed" to maintaining its independence from politics
- He added that the Fed was "right to wait and see how tariffs and inflation and the labor market evolved" before lowering rates