Morgan Stanley sees upswing in MENA M&A deal volumes and values
After a challenging year where M&A activity in the Middle East and North Africa took a tumble, Morgan Stanley forecasts...
GCC leaders explore regional growth and opportunity at Doha investment meet
The burgeoning creator economy presents an unprecedented opportunity for GCC to outpace global cities and establish itself as the epicenter...
Business
Geostrategy
Lebanon economic losses top $5 billion in year of clashes: World Bank
Beirut, Lebanon -- More than a year of clashes that recently escalated into war have cost Lebanon more than $5 billion...
- The losses are "largely concentrated in the commerce and tourism and hospitality sectors... as well as in the agriculture sector", the Bank said in a report.
- "The final cost of damage and losses for Lebanon associated with the conflict is expected to significantly exceed those presented in this assessment," the report said.
Business
Salik 9M net profit $223m
The company's third-quarter profit increased by 8.8 percent.
- Salik reported 355.6 million revenue-generating trips, which increased 5.1 percent YoY to drive total revenue of AED1.640 billion.
- Revenue from toll usage, comprising 86.7 percent of total revenue, rose 5.1 percent YoY to AED1,422.2 million in the nine-month period.
Geostrategy
Saudi-hosted summit says Mideast peace requires end to Israeli occupation
The summit's closing statement said that "a just and comprehensive peace in the region... cannot be achieved without ending the...
- The international community should "launch a plan with specific steps and timing under international sponsorship" to make a sovereign Palestinian state a reality, it added.
- The leaders also condemned "horrific and shocking crimes" by Israel's army, saying they occurred "in the context of the crime of genocide".
Business
Avia to buy 40 Boeing aircraft
The transaction for the purchase of 737 MAX 8 jets valued at $4.9bn.
- Avia's first firm order with the aviation giant comes with an option to add another 40 jets later, Boeing and Avia said in a statement.
- The purchase announcement came shortly after striking workers at Boeing last week approved a new contract proposal, ending a more than seven-week stoppage that cost it billions
Geostrategy
Saudi crown prince demands Gaza, Lebanon ceasefires at Arab summit
Prince Salman also called on Israel not to attack Iran, highlighting improving ties between Saudi Arabia and its former regional...
- Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the international community must "immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon".
- A draft resolution for the summit stresses "firm support" for "national rights" for the Palestinian people, "foremost among which is their right to freedom".
Geostrategy
Arab, Muslim leaders fly to Saudi Arabia for talks on Gaza, Lebanon
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Arab and Muslim leaders have begun arriving in Saudi Arabia for a summit scheduled for Monday that...
- The Saudi foreign ministry announced the summit in late October during the first meeting of an "international alliance" pushing for a two-state solution.
- The 57-member OIC and 22-member Arab League include countries that recognize Israel and those firmly opposed to its regional integration.
Business
Bitcoin hits $80,000 for the first time on Trump return optimism
London, United Kingdom -- Bitcoin soared to a new record high on Sunday, as traders bet that Donald Trump's return to...
- It has been rising since Republican candidate Trump won last Tuesday's US presidential election over sentiment that he will ease regulations on digital currencies.
- During his first presidency Trump referred to cryptocurrencies as a scam, but has since radically changed his position, even launching his own platform for the unit.
Geostrategy
Global food prices reach 18-month high, vegetable oil cost soars
Paris, France -- Global food prices rose in October to their highest level in 18 months, with a sharp increase in...
- The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices of a basket of food commodities, reached 127.4 points last month, a 2% increase from September.
- It was the highest since April 2023 but still 20.5 percent lower than the peak reached in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of agricultural powerhouse Ukraine.
Geostrategy
UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
In a fresh report, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) detailed a raft of violations of international law. Many...
- "Civilians in Gaza have borne the brunt of the attacks, including through the initial 'complete siege' of Gaza by Israeli forces," the UN said.
- "Conduct by Israeli forces has caused unprecedented levels of killings, death, injury, starvation, illness and disease."
Business
Emirates half-year profit $2.5bn
The record profit is subject to new 9% corporate tax for the first time.
- The airline group, operating from the world's busiest airport for international traffic, has faced regional disruptions due to the conflicts, but has expanded its network elsewhere
- Group revenue rose 5.0 percent to $19.3 billion on "consistently strong customer demand across business divisions, and across regions", the statement said.
Morgan Stanley sees upswing in MENA M&A deal volumes and values
After a challenging year where M&A activity in the Middle East and North Africa took a tumble, Morgan Stanley forecasts...
Company News
SHUAA okays MCB tranches
Business
Latest News
Maysa Sabreen made first woman chief of Syrian central bank
Damascus, Syria -- Syrian authorities have appointed Maysa Sabreen as interim central bank governor, a bank official told AFP on Tuesday,...
Economy
Unemployment rate among Saudi nationals 7.8 percent in Q3
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Unemployment rate among Saudi nationals reached 7.8 percent in the third quarter of 2024, a year-on-year...
Economy
Key healthcare digital trends to watch in 2025
From AI-powered content creation to automated feedback systems, technology is streamlining operations and improving patient care.
Business
Most Read
Business
Cambridge study warns of perils in AI-driven ‘intention economy’
London, United Kingdom -- Conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tools may soon "covertly influence" users' decision making in a new commercial frontier...
- The marketplace emerging for "digital signals of intent" could, in the near future, influence everything from buying movie tickets to voting for political candidates.
- Our increasing familiarity with chatbots, digital tutors and other so-called "anthropomorphic" AI agents is helping enable this new array of "persuasive technologies".
Geostrategy
20-day-old baby Jumaa al-Batran dies from ‘severe cold’ in Gaza
Marwan al-Hamas, head of field hospitals in Gaza, confirmed the death. He said it brought to five the total number...
- Jumaa's twin brother remains in the intensive care unit at a local hospital, the health ministry in territory said.
- "There is no electricity. The water is cold and there is no gas, heating or food," said Yahya al-Batran, the father of the child.
Business
Egypt tests Suez Canal extension aimed at boosting vessel capacity
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt has tested a new 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) extension to the Suez Canal as it tries to minimize the...
- Vessels navigating the waterway have at times run aground, mostly because of strong winds and sandstorms.
- The new extension is set to boost the canal's capacity by six to eight vessels a day, Rabie said, and it will open after new navigational maps are issued.