The Middle East has become our living lab for digital reinvention
In the MENA region, we see an extraordinary opportunity to shape a digitally empowered workforce aligned with national transformation agendas,...
Interview
Trump threatens European nations with tariffs over Greenland
Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops...
Geostrategy
Business
Masdar acquires Saeta Yield
The deal is estimated to be valued at $1.4 billion.
- Saeta is a leading independent developer, owner and operator of renewable energy assets.
- Masdar recently announced an agreement with Endesa to become a portfolio asset partner for Spain's 2.5 GW renewable energy projects.
Geostrategy
Media gag and manufactured consent: Israel’s campaign against Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon: On Sunday, Israeli troops stormed the Al Jazeera office in the occupied West Bank and issued a 45-day...
- Israel's claim last year that Gaza's largest Al-Shifa Hospital housed Hamas command center was debunked by many.
- Before launching deadly strikes on Lebanon, Israeli military released videos claiming civilian homes housed arms.
Business
ADNOC Distribution H1 dividend $350m
The total dividend for 2024 is expected to be $700 million.
- The second and final portion of 2024 dividend is expected to be paid in April 2025, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors and shareholder approval.
- The company's cash dividend paid since its initial public offering totaled AED 16.2 billion ($4.4 billion), including cash dividends for the first half of 2024.
Geostrategy
DCO launches Digital Economy Navigator to bridge global digital gap
The navigator enables countries to better navigate their digital journeys, find opportunities for growth and benchmark progress,
- DEN was unveiled at SDG Digital, held this year during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York from September 10 to 27.
- DEN is a unifying framework that addresses digital economy maturity across 50 countries, including the DCO member states.
Science
Researchers decode oldest human DNA
The genetic sequences were from a man and a woman whose remains were found at a rock shelter near the...
- They were among 13 sequences reconstructed from people whose remains were found at the Oakhurst shelter and lived 1,300-10,000 years ago.
- Prior to these discoveries, the oldest genomes reconstructed from the region dated back around 2,000 years.
Business
Global tourism nears full recovery, led by Middle East’s 26% growth in 2024
While Europe and Americas have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, the Middle East's growth outpaces all other regions, UN World...
- Globally, international tourism reached 96 percent of pre-pandemic levels during the same period, with around 790 million tourists, an 11 percent increase over 2023.
- In terms of tourism revenue, 47 out of 63 countries with available data reported a return to pre-pandemic earnings.
Geostrategy
Elon Musk’s Starlink internet launches in war-scarred Yemen
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Tech billionaire Elon Musk's satellite internet service Starlink has launched in Yemen, provoking the anger of...
- Starlink's network of low Earth orbit satellites can provide internet to remote locations or areas that have had normal communications infrastructure disabled.
- Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti condemned the Starlink launch, linking it to "the war waged by America on Yemen".
Business
UAE banks’ Q2 investments in Islamic certificates, cash bills surge to $61.81bn
The banking sector in the country maintained strong capital adequacy, exceeding Basel 3 requirements, according to the Central Bank.
- Statistics showed that the foreign assets of the Central Bank increased by 5.3 percent year-on-year to reach AED 770.6 billion.
- The total capital and reserves of banks operating in the UAE increased by 3.9 percent to AED 495.2 billion at the end of the second quarter.
Business
Middle East renewable energy projects investments reach $75bn
London, UK -- The Middle East is moving towards investing $75.63 billion in renewable energy projects until 2030, according to...
- These investments include 116 renewable energy projects, which are expected to be operational between 2025 and 2030.
- Large solar projects, such as the fifth phase of the Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Solar Park, are making significant progress.
Business
Europe’s Electric Vehicle troubles bubble up at Brussels Audi factory
Brussels, Belgium -- Outside an Audi factory in Brussels described by the German carmaker as the "cradle" of its electric drive,...
- The firm is considering closing the plant, a move that analysts say is symptomatic of the troubles afflicting Europe's wider electric car industry, amid low demand and competition.
- With 3,000 jobs on the line, the Brussels workers have launched a prolonged strike, with a large demonstration planned in the capital on Monday and walkouts elsewhere in solidarity
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
The Middle East has become our living lab for digital reinvention
In the MENA region, we see an extraordinary opportunity to shape a digitally empowered workforce aligned with national transformation agendas,...
Interview
Company News
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SIB’s 2024 profit $272m
Business
Gaza truce talks: Netanyahu says sending a team to Qatar after Hamas nod
But Netanyahu, who is due to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, said the Palestinian group's proposals...
Geostrategy
Musk creates America Party to challenge US’s ‘one-party system’
The world's richest person -- and Trump's biggest political donor in the 2024 election -- had a bitter falling out...
Geostrategy
Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, plays down impact of strikes
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was "speculation" that Tehran would come to the table and...
Most Read
Geostrategy
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,...
- Many of the oil-rich countries host major US assets and bases and fear that a spillover from the war could threaten their security and economy.
- Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, said it feared "catastrophic consequences" for the region and the entire world.
Geostrategy
Turkey to export 48 fighter jets to Indonesia, deal valued at 10 billion dollars
Turkey's defence sector, including the famous Bayraktar drones, accounts for a significant share of the country's export revenues.
- Turkey's defence sector, including the famous Bayraktar drones, accounts for a significant share of the country's export revenues
- The contract, valued at 10 billion dollars, includes the production and delivery of the Kaan fighter jets to Indonesia over a ten-year period
Geostrategy
EU tells Israel to reverse move to cut off Palestinian banks
Brussels, Belgium -- The EU on Wednesday urged Israel to undo a move by a far-right minister that threatens to...
- Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Tuesday that Israel had cancelled a waiver allowing its banks to work with Palestinian ones.
- The Palestinian financial and banking system is dependent on the regular renewal of the Israeli waiver.