UN says 70% chance that 2025-2029 average global warming will exceed 1.5C threshold
The planet is therefore expected to remain at historic levels of warming after the two hottest years ever recorded in...
Science
Morocco to reopen embassy in Syria after Assad fall
Morocco said Saturday it will reopen its embassy Damascus, closed since 2012, signalling renewed support for Syria after the overthrow...
Geostrategy
Business
SIB’s 2024 profit $272m
The profit surpassed AED 1 billion for the first time in bank's history.
- The bank's net profit before tax increased by 36.5 percent, reaching AED1.15 billion.
- The bank saw a significant increase of 45.3 percent in fee and commission income, reaching AED400.4 million
Business
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...
- The event was organized by The Business Year (TBY), a media group that has been providing investors and governments with first-hand insights into the world’s most dynamic markets.
- Attendees and panelists delved into comprehensive discussions that paved the way for an evening of cross-border knowledge sharing.
Geostrategy
WEF’s risks report 2025: Rising geopolitical tensions, environmental threats, disinformation dominate future threats
A survey of over 900 experts reveals state-based armed conflict as the most pressing global risk for 2025, driven by...
- A late 2024 survey of over 900 global risks experts, policymakers, and industry leaders identifies state-based armed conflict as 2025's top risk
- Extreme weather events, societal polarization, and cyber-espionage also rank prominently, underscoring a landscape fraught with challenges
Economy
Global economy set to face significant challenges in 2025: WEF survey
Geneva, Switzerland – The global economy is set to face significant challenges in 2025, with 56 percent of chief economists...
- Only 17% of chief economists foresee an improvement, pointing to heightened uncertainty in key regions and the need for measured policy responses worldwide.
- Europe continues to rank as the weakest region for the third consecutive year, with nearly three-quarters (74 percent) expecting weak or very weak growth.
Business
AD Ports to invest in Kazakh port
Under the deal, AD Ports Group owns 51% stake.
- Sarzha Grain Terminal will see a total investment of just over US$50 million over the two phases, with AD Ports Group contributing around US$30 million.
- With phase 1 scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026, Sarzha Grain Terminal is set to enhance global food trade.
Business
Fifth Aramco facility receives WEF Global Lighthouse Network tag
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia -- Aramco's North Ghawar Oil Producing Complex has become the company's fifth facility to be added to...
- Aramco said that only industrial sites that successfully deploy 4IR technologies at scale are admitted to the prestigious network.
- WEF said UAE's EGA, named End-to-End Value Chain Lighthouse, undertook a 4IR transformation to further increase its cost-competitiveness.
Business
PIF acquires stake in Saudi Re
The acquisition was made by way of a capital increase.
- PIF said in a statement that the capital investment aims to enhance Saudi Re’s growth potential by adding to its financial capacity and further strengthening its credit rating.
- In the first nine months of 2024, Saudi Re's total written premiums reached SAR 1.94 billion ($520 million).
Business
Non-institutional foreign ownership in Tadawul-listed firms up slightly
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Non-institutional foreign investors increased their stake in Tadawul-listed equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, from 9.70 percent to...
- The ownership increased from 9.70 percent to 9.72 percent, equivalent to SAR 334.55 billion, during the week ending January 9.
- GCC investors’ ownership in Saudi equities, excluding Saudi Aramco, declined from 2.27 percent to 2.18 percent of the total market capitalization.
Geostrategy
Cyber landscape complexity deepens cyber inequity, gap between organizations: WEF report
The complexity arises from the rapid growth of emerging technologies, prevailing geopolitical uncertainty and the evolution of threats, says WEF's...
- The complexity arises from the rapid growth of emerging technologies, prevailing geopolitical uncertainty and the evolution of threats.
- It also arises from regulatory challenges, vulnerabilities in supply chain interdependencies and the growing cyber skills gap, the report said.
Economy
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...
- It said that positive but somewhat slower growth forecasts for China and the United States will be complemented by modest recoveries in the European Union, Japan, and Britain.
- US growth was expected to moderate from 2.8 percent last year to 1.9 percent in 2025 as the labor market softens and consumer spending slows.
UN says 70% chance that 2025-2029 average global warming will exceed 1.5C threshold
The planet is therefore expected to remain at historic levels of warming after the two hottest years ever recorded in...
Science
Company News
Latest News
Russia to hold talks with US in Riyadh Monday: Kremlin
Donald Trump spoke to both Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky this week and the US is also due...
Geostrategy
AI to become the new internet: Kamel Al-Tawil on MENA’s tech evolution
Historically, the region was a key player in commerce through the Silk Road, and today, it has the potential to...
Interview
Ukraine to propose sky, sea truce at US talks in Saudi: official
The talks on Tuesday will be the first Ukraine-US meeting since a White House blow-up between Zelensky and US President...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Arts & Culture
West Bank eviction film ‘No Other Land’ wins best documentary Oscar
Jerusalem -- No Other Land, a documentary about Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, has won the best documentary award...
- Shot in Masafer Yatta near the West Bank city of Hebron, the documentary follows a young Palestinian struggling with forced displacement.
- After a long legal battle with Palestinian communities, an Israeli supreme court ruling in 2022 paved the way for the eviction of the area's more than 1,000 residents.
Geostrategy
Israel blocks humanitarian aid to Gaza as ceasefire’s first phase ends, sparking global outrage
Truce mediators Egypt and Qatar accused Israel of blatantly violating the ceasefire deal by halting the aid, a move left trucks...
- Early on Sunday Israel had announced a truce extension until mid-April that it said United States Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had proposed
- But Hamas has repeatedly rejected an extension, instead favouring a transition to the truce deal's second phase that could bring a permanent end to the war.
Geostrategy
Iran ready to negotiate with US but not under ‘maximum pressure’: minister
In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its...
- In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its nuclear programme in return for the easing of international
- However, in 2018, during his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement and reinstated heavy sanctions on Tehran, despite European opposition