Turkish excavations offer vital clues of human history
Gobekli Tepe - which experts believe was never actually inhabited - may be part of a vast sacred landscape that...
Arts & Culture
UN force in Lebanon calls for probe into Irish peacekeeper’s death
The United Nations' peacekeeping force in south Lebanon urged Beirut to ensure a "speedy" investigation into an Irish soldier's shooting...
Geostrategy
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
Investigation
Money laundering rose during Covid-19 pandemic, says UAE Central Bank
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has disclosed that there has been an increase in the laundering of...
- Report also cites fraud, bribery, corruption, charity and disaster fraud as risks to financial institution
- The report also identified the methods of mitigation, identification and resolution implemented by selected financial institutions to address such risks
Investigation
Saudi gang gets 20 years in prison for laundering $4.5bn
A Saudi court sentenced twenty four Saudis and foreigners to up to 20 years in prison for laundering nearly $4.50...
- Group of 24 Saudis and expats channelled illicit funds through factories, companies, institutions and medical clinics
- The court said the group carried out their criminal operations within an organized framework, under the cover of commercial facilities
Research
Five cities poised to become GCC tech hubs
As part of economic transformation, some Gulf countries seek to achieve targets in digital transformation via long-term plans such as...
- The UAE has become a technological leader in hosting the world's largest event, Expo 2020 Dubai.
- In February 2021, 24 global firms had signed agreements to open regional offices in Riyadh.
Turkish excavations offer vital clues of human history
Gobekli Tepe - which experts believe was never actually inhabited - may be part of a vast sacred landscape that...
Arts & Culture
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...
Clean beauty sector grows, so are greenwashing risks
In a positive development, the cosmetic industry at large is becoming greener. Approaches, however, are not always uniform or holistic...
Business
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.
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...
Investigation
Most Read
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