AI is learning to lie, scheme, and threaten its creators
In one particularly jarring example, under threat of being unplugged, Anthropic's latest creation Claude 4 lashed back by blackmailing an...
Research
Another Trump indictment looms as grand jury hears election case
Atlanta, United States - Prosecutors investigating Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the US state of Georgia were...
Geostrategy
Investigation
2016 EgyptAir disaster started by cigarette in cockpit: report
An EgyptAir crash in 2016 that killed 66 people in the Mediterranean was likely caused by a fire that started...
- There was a leak from the co-pilot's oxygen mask and the combustion of a cigarette smoked by the pilot or co-pilot
- EgyptAir flight MS804 suddenly disappeared from radar screens on May 19, 2016 on its way to Cairo from Paris, killing everyone on board
Investigation
Solar switch may put off electricity crisis in Lebanon
Lebanon's energy industry sees a loss of up to $2bn every year as state treasury pays over $50bn in advances...
- Between $1.5bn and $2bn is lost in Lebanon's energy industry every year as state treasury pays over $50bn in advances to Electricité du Liban
- The country’s electrical network sees 3500 megawatts demand while only 2,000 megawatts is produced, says energy expert Ahmed Daher
Investigation
Marka: From a star UAE retailer to a bankrupt firm
Flouting norms, massive mismanagement and lack of transparency and corporate governance have potential to take any company the Marka Holding...
- The recent Dubai court decision highlights that the funds of shareholders and creditors should be judiciously used. Else, the law of the land will catch you
- In October 2021, the UAE retail and leisure company Marka was declared bankrupt by a local court, and all of its assets were brought into liquidation
Investigation
REVEALED: Billions of dollars missing from BDL
About US$7 billion is missing from Lebanese central bank’s 2020 balance sheet, data analysis by TRENDS suggests while highlighting weak...
- Some of the data sifted by TRENDS point to a US$7 billion scam involving the country’s central bank and the powerful individuals
- The poor and weak policies of Banque du Liban (BDL) may have facilitated a “Ponzi” scheme involving Eurobonds
Investigation
Iran intensifies cyber espionage in Middle East
Cyberattacks by Iranian spies have become more sophisticated and have intensified against Arab countries, say industry experts.
- Iranian espionage targeted aerospace and telecommunications companies in the Middle East, the US, Russia, and Europe
- Cybereason identified 10 companies impacted during their three-month investigation
Investigation
UAE prosecutors launch probe into Union Properties
The UAE prosecutors have begun an investigation into Union Properties, the Dubai-based real estate developer, after allegations arose of the...
- The prosecutors will also investigate accusations that the firm hid the name of the beneficiary of the sale
- The firm, Union Properties, known for building Dubai Motor City, has not reacted to the start of the investigation
Videos
10 worst passports in the Middle East
Which passports are among the worst in the Arab World? Know the details in this Explainer video created by TRENDS.
- Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine and Libya figure in the list. But which one is at the bottom?
- Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt are also listed, the latest Henley Passport Index highlights.
Investigation
Have Pandora papers jeopardized Lebanon aid?
The country is already reeling under the impact of its worst-ever economic crisis, shutting down of power stations due to...
- Offshore companies are legal and were established to reduce the tax burden on some companies that require foreign branches.
- Lebanon was first in terms of registering individual companies in tax havens, with nearly 3 million papers leaked.
Investigation
Dubai Police carries out region’s largest drug bust
The Dubai Police have arrested a man they say had smuggled 500 kg of pure cocaine, which has a street...
- The police operation, codenamed Scorpion, led to the seizure of 500 kg cocaine
- The cops said this was the region's largest drug seizure, and also resulted in an arrest
Investigation
UAE to punish extortion demands on web with prison sentence of up to two years
Anyone guilty of making a threat to another person on the web will get a prison sentence of up to...
- "The penalty shall be imprisonment for a duration of not more than ten years if the threat is a threat to commit a crime
- The Public Prosecution, through a tweet published today on its social media account, clarified the penalty for the crime of electronic extortion
AI is learning to lie, scheme, and threaten its creators
In one particularly jarring example, under threat of being unplugged, Anthropic's latest creation Claude 4 lashed back by blackmailing an...
Research
Company News
Middle East children are at grave risk in cyberworld
Investigation
Latest News
Disagreement between UAE, Saudi Arabia hobbles OPEC
The UAE on Sunday pushed back against a plan by the OPEC+ group to extend a pact to cut oil...
Exclusive: ‘Cheerleaders’ hired to clap during FIFA Cup
Young Arab boys and girls from countries such as Lebanon are being flown to Qatar and paid $800 to cheer...
Investigation
UAE ranks 1st regionally in UNDP Human Development Report
The UAE has ranked 26th globally and first in the Arab world in the 2021/2022 Human Development Report, which is...
Research
Argentina seizes 1.6 tons of cocaine headed for Dubai
Argentine authorities seized 1.6 tons of cocaine hidden in animal feed destined for Dubai and detained 12 people, police said...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Investigation
Cyberthreats put critical infra at risk in Middle East
Top cyber security experts speak to TRENDS about primary threats to critical infrastructure providers and how to build effective defenses.
- The impact of some cyber attacks was felt far beyond the organizations impacted directly and, in some cases, across the world.
- Gartner recently reported that only 60 percent of organizations globally protect endpoints.
Investigation
2016 EgyptAir disaster started by cigarette in cockpit: report
An EgyptAir crash in 2016 that killed 66 people in the Mediterranean was likely caused by a fire that started...
- There was a leak from the co-pilot's oxygen mask and the combustion of a cigarette smoked by the pilot or co-pilot
- EgyptAir flight MS804 suddenly disappeared from radar screens on May 19, 2016 on its way to Cairo from Paris, killing everyone on board
Investigation
Solar switch may put off electricity crisis in Lebanon
Lebanon's energy industry sees a loss of up to $2bn every year as state treasury pays over $50bn in advances...
- Between $1.5bn and $2bn is lost in Lebanon's energy industry every year as state treasury pays over $50bn in advances to Electricité du Liban
- The country’s electrical network sees 3500 megawatts demand while only 2,000 megawatts is produced, says energy expert Ahmed Daher