G42 launches ‘digital embassies’ model to help governments deploy sovereign AI
Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence group G42 on Tuesday launched what it calls a Digital Embassies framework and an operating model...
Geostrategy
Saudi knowledge economy accelerates as Vision 2030 targets move within reach
The government has successfully implemented more than 900 reforms, including restructuring legal and labor frameworks, establishing new public authorities, and...
Economy
Geostrategy
Iran, allies ready Israel response as funerals held for Haniyeh, Shukr
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, addressing the funeral of the Lebanese group's top military commander, said Israel and "those who are...
- The international community has called for calm and a focus on securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip -- which Haniyeh had accused Israel of obstructing.
- The prime minister of key ceasefire broker Qatar said Haniyeh's killing had thrown the whole Gaza war mediation process into doubt.
Business
British Petroleum to develop four new oil and gas fields in Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq -- Iraq signed an agreement with British energy giant British Petroleum on Thursday to develop four oil and gas...
- BP is one of the biggest foreign players in Iraq's oil sector, with a history of producing oil in the country dating back to the 1920s when it was still under British mandate.
- According to the World Bank, Iraq has 145 billion barrels of proven oil reserves -- among the largest in the world -- amounting to 96 years' worth of production at the current rate
Geostrategy
UNSC to hold emergency meeting over Hamas chief’s killing
The meeting has been requested by Iran and supported by representatives of Russia, China and Algeria, said a spokesman for...
- Iran's UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani called on members to "condemn unequivocally and strongly the acts of aggression and terrorist attacks" by Israel.
- He also urged council members to take "immediate action to ensure accountability for these violations of international law," including potential sanctions.
Arts & Culture
World Rally Championship to add Saudi Arabia race to calendar
Paris, France -- World Rally Championship announced Wednesday that it will add races in Saudi Arabia, the Canary Islands and Paraguay...
- Rally Saudi Arabia will end the season on November 27-30 with the event in the Spanish archipelago on April 24-27 and the race in South America on August 28-31.
- It also added the Canary Islands and Paraguay to its calendar next year. Rallys in Croatia, Poland and Latvia are no longer on the circuit.
Business
Day after UAE-Chile CEPA, Dubai Chambers and Pro-Chile sign MoU
Under the MoU, both parties will coordinate events aimed at strengthening ties between exporting companies from Dubai and Chile and...
- The CEPA is projected to increase non-oil bilateral to $750 million by 2030, more than doubling the US$306 million shared in 2023.
- Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said the CEPA is expected to come into effect within the next six months.
Business
BP H1 profits down 79%
Revenue dropped 8 percent to $98 billion in the same period.
- BP said increased volume and lower exploration write-offs were "partly offset by increased depreciation charges and higher costs".
- The group earlier this month flagged to markets that its latest earnings would take a sizeable hit from a cut to oil refining in Germany.
Geostrategy
Gaza official says 300 killed in Khan Yunis as army ends assault
"Since the beginning of the Israeli ground invasion of the eastern part of Khan Yunis province, the civil defence and...
- The Israeli military launched the assault on July 22 to halt rocket fire from the area, which already saw heavy fighting earlier this year.
- Last week, it said troops had retrieved the bodies of five Israelis from the area.
Business
Saudi trains over 1,000 nationals in coastal tourism market
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, has implemented two...
- The training, which focused on customer service experiences and safety principles, was conducted as part of the second edition of the Tourism Trailblazers Program.
- SRSA aims to provide over 210,000 jobs by 2030 and contribute more than SAR 85 billion to the GDP that same year.
Geostrategy
Lufthansa, Air France halt Beirut flights as Israel tensions rise
Beirut, Lebanon -- Air France and the German airline group Lufthansa said Monday they were suspending flights to Beirut after Israel...
- Lufthansa services would be halted up to and including August 5 due to "current developments in the Middle East", a group spokesman told AFP.
- Royal Jordanian also announced the suspension of flights, with at least two of its regular trips to Beirut cancelled.
Business
AI startups swap independence for Big Tech’s deep pockets
Washington, United States -- It's the case of the vanishing startup: some of Silicon Valley's most promising names in the fast-developing...
- Critics believe these deals are acquisitions in all but name and have been especially designed by Microsoft or Amazon to avoid the attention of competition regulators.
- US, European and UK regulators on Tuesday signed a joint statement insisting that they won't let big tech companies run roughshod over the nascent AI industry.
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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
G42 launches ‘digital embassies’ model to help governments deploy sovereign AI
Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence group G42 on Tuesday launched what it calls a Digital Embassies framework and an operating model...
Geostrategy
Company News
ADNOC L&S buys stake in Navig8
Business
Latest News
Israel security chief accuses PM of demanding personal loyalty
Israel's internal security chief, whom the government is trying to sack, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday of demanding personal...
Geostrategy
US judge rules Google monopolized online ad tech market
Washington, United States -- A US judge on Thursday ruled that Google wielded monopoly power in the online ad technology...
Business
China retaliates with 84 percent tariffs on US products
Beijing, China -- China will impose 84 percent tariffs on US imports, up from 34 percent, the finance ministry said...
Business
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Business
AI’s impact on jobs, technology’s touchy topic sparks unease
New York, United States - "Stop Hiring Humans" read a provocative sign at an AI conference in Las Vegas, where...
- AI agents, which are supposed to make decisions that are usually made by humans, have become the latest buzzword of the AI story
- There is little doubt that some kind of upheaval of the workplace is underway, but its precise impact remains uncertain
Geostrategy
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...
- "From the Russian side, they will be attended by Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senate's committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, advisor to the head of FSB.
- Ushakov said he had confirmed this after talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Both agreed to send "expert groups" for the talks, he added.
Interview
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...
- Investments in scalable infrastructure, subsea networks, and neutral digital hubs are critical for advancing global connectivity.
- The region is also positioning itself as a major AI hub, supported by investments in AI models and sustainable energy.