Arab states erupt in condemnation after US strikes on Iran
Iran's former arch-rival in the region, Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in a Chinese-brokered détente with Tehran since 2023,...
Geostrategy
Is Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Saudi Arabia? Cryptic post fuels speculation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Questions swirled over Cristiano Ronaldo's future in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, hours after the superstar indicated...
Arts & Culture
Geostrategy
How are countries regulating the wild west of social media for minors?
Paris, France -- A handful of nations are trying to clean up social media with measures including robust privacy provisions and...
- Among the countries taking action is Australia, which on Thursday passed a landmark law banning children under 16 from social media.
- In June 2023 France passed a law requiring social media platforms to check the age of users and obtain parental consent for those under 15 years of age.
Geostrategy
OPEC+ postpones meeting amid signs of ‘discord’ on output plans
The 22-member OPEC+ group led by Saudi Arabia and Russia was due to decide on its 2025 output policy at...
- An OPEC spokesman told AFP that the December meeting will be held online.
- In a bid to boost crude prices, eight OPEC+ members announced earlier this month they were extending supply cuts until the end of December.
Interview
EVs just the start, urban mobility needs a holistic approach
Cities must adopt EVs alongside shared transport, robust infrastructure, clean energy, and inclusivity, says Jamie Wylie, an urban mobility expert.
- One of the biggest hurdles to EV adoption is ensuring a network of accessible, reliable charging stations.
- According to the Global EV Outlook 2024, public charging infrastructure is expected to increase sixfold by 2035, with a focus on cities.
Business
Adani Group says it lost nearly $55 billion as US bribery charges sparked rout
The November 20 bombshell indictment in New York accused billionaire industrialist founder Gautam Adani and multiple subordinates of deliberately misleading...
- Gautam Adani, 62, is suspected of having participated in the $250 million scheme in bribes to secure lucrative government contracts.
- The conglomerate saw $150 billion wiped from its market value in 2023 after a report by short-seller Hindenburg Research accused it of "brazen" corporate fraud.
Business
Saudi Arabia sets Guinness record for largest food cluster
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has set a Guinness World Record for the largest food cluster in the world...
- Jeddah Food Cluster, which spans over 11 million square meters, has set a new global benchmark.
- MODON announced ambitious plans for the cluster, targeting investments of up to SAR20 billion and creating 43,000 job opportunities by 2035.
Geostrategy
As AI gets real, slow and steady wins the race
Companies explore AI for coding, healthcare, law, and design—yet challenges like regulation, accuracy, and cost impede widespread adoption.
- The tech industry presents a more aggressive adoption curve. Google reports that 25 percent of its coding is now handled by generative AI.
- Athey, an economist of the tech industry, expressed worry about regions where a core profession such as call centers risked being swept away by AI.
Business
Roche to buy Poseida Therapeutics
The $1.5 billion deal is due to close in early 2025.
- The boards of directors of both companies unanimously approved the deal for Poseida, whose shares had closed on Monday at $2.73.
- Poseida Therapeutics' portfolio notably includes customized cell therapies for hematological cancers, solid tumors and auto-immune diseases.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surge by nearly 23% in Sept 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports surged by 22.8 percent in September, according to a report by the...
- The September 2024 International Trade Report said national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, rose by 11.6 percent.
- The report also indicated a 14.9 percent decline in merchandise exports in September 2024 compared to September 2023.
Geostrategy
Iran denies involvement as UAE arrests three people in rabbi killing case
"This murder was carried out in the UAE. The murder of an Israeli citizen and a Chabad emissary, is an...
- Kogan was a former Israeli army soldier, who served in Israel's Givati Brigade, which is infamous for carrying out violent attacks against Palestinians
- The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 alongside other countries including Bahrain and Morocco, has confirmed the arrest of perpetrators
Geostrategy
Wealthy nations offer $250bn on climate but pressed for more
At the COP29 talks in Azerbaijan, developing nations are demanding a bigger commitment from historic polluters most responsible for warming,...
- The text also sets an ambitious overall target to raise at least $1.3 trillion per year by 2035 from not only developed countries but the private sector.
- But a red line for many climate-imperiled nations at COP29 had been securing a new commitment from developed nations well above their existing pledge of $100 billion a year.
Arab states erupt in condemnation after US strikes on Iran
Iran's former arch-rival in the region, Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in a Chinese-brokered détente with Tehran since 2023,...
Geostrategy
Company News
ADNOC L&S buys stake in Navig8
Business
Latest News
World economic growth to remain at 2.8 percent in 2025: UN report
The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report shows that despite withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, global...
Economy
ADNOC Gas awards contracts
The $2.1bn contracts are aimed at enhancing LNG supply infrastructure.
Business
The $480 billion creator economy revolution
We're likely to see more creators seeking alternatives to traditional gatekeepers, following in the footsteps of artists like Taylor Swift....
Opinion
Most Read
Business
Saudi Industrial Production Index increases by 3.4 percent in Nov 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) increased by 3.4 percent in November 2024, compared to Nov...
- This increase is driven by growth in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, water supply, sewerage, and waste management and remediation activities.
- The sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 1.2 percent, and the sub-index of manufacturing activity increased by 7.2 percent.
Business
Saudi Arabia retains first rank in MENA Venture Capital funding in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia maintained its first rank across MENA in terms of Venture Capital (VC) funding in...
- The Kingdom secured the highest, 40 percent, share of total VC funding in the MENA region in 2024.
- The report also revealed that Saudi Arabia set a new record with 178 VC deals in the same year.
Business
ADNOC L&S buys stake in Navig8
The company will acquire the remaining stake in mid-2027.
- Navig8 is an international shipping pool operator and commercial management company with a modern-owned fleet of 32 tankers and a presence in 15 cities across five continents.
- This value-accretive acquisition is expected to boost ADNOC L&S’ earnings per share by at least 20 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.