MENA’s gaming sector projected to ‘touch $6 billion by 2027
Nikita Matsokin, Executive Director of MGVC (MY.GAMES, shares his thoughts on the MENA region’s creative talent, government support, and rapid...
Interview
AI promise uneven as economists flag debt and market vulnerabilities
In its latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, the WEF said 53 percent of surveyed economists expect global economic conditions to weaken...
Economy
Business
Dubai welcomes record 9.31m international overnight visitors in H1
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024, a 9 percent increase over...
- Dubai was named the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third successive year in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards in January.
- Occupied room nights increased by 3 percent, with 21.35 million at the end of H1 2024, compared to 20.73 million in H1 2023.
Business
In fuel-guzzling Saudi Arabia, electric cars pique interest
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- For Hamed al-Rafidain, a Saudi human resources worker, an electric vehicle offers welcome savings, especially since his...
- Although the EV market in the world's largest oil exporter remains small compared with the United States and China, it tripled last year to nearly 800 cars.
- Chinese EV giant BYD is expected to dominate the Saudi market. Its global rival Tesla of the United States has no dealerships in the Gulf kingdom.
Business
Saudi ministry, Red Sea Authority to boost coastal tourism
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Red Sea Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, has launched the "Seas...
- The program is offered for the first time on board the European Cruise and is accredited by the British University of Plymouth and Dale Carnegie.
- The program will equip employees at luxury coastal resorts and travel agencies with professional skills essential in the tourism sector.
Business
Equinox and NEOM announce Equinox Resort Treyam in Magna
New York, US -- Luxury hospitality group Equinox Hotels has announced plans for the opening of Equinox Resort Treyam, one...
- The resort is an architectural marvel, spanning a 450-meter-long bridge-like structure, floating 40 meters above a serene lagoon.
- Equinox Resort Treyam will include spacious guest rooms and suites, a 450-meter pool, world-class culinary concepts, a Club House.
Geostrategy
Israeli settlers beat foreign volunteers in occupied West Bank
Nablus, Palestinian Territories -- Israeli settlers on Sunday attacked a group of foreign volunteers helping Palestinian farmers in the occupied West...
- Eight mainly American volunteers were working with the farmers in an olive grove near the Palestinian village of Qusra when settlers came after them, said David Hummel, an American
- "They started attacking and beating us all with sticks and metal pipes and they were throwing rocks as well at us," he said.
Geostrategy
Iraq to import electricity from Turkey for northern provinces
Baghdad, Iraq -- Iraq said Sunday a new power line will bring electricity from Turkey to its northern provinces as authorities...
- Decades of war have left Iraq's infrastructure in a pitiful state, with power cuts worsening the blistering summer when temperatures often reach 50 Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).
- Many households have just a few hours of mains electricity per day, and those who can afford it use private generators to keep fridges and air conditioners running.
Geostrategy
Palestinians hail ICJ ruling calling Israeli occupation illegal
Jerusalem: The Palestinian leadership hailed as "historic" Friday a ruling by the top UN court that Israel's occupation of the...
- The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said it welcomed the "historic decision and demands that Israel be compelled to implement it."
- The Hague-based court found that Israel was "under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers" from occupied land.
Geostrategy
Antivirus update sparks global tech chaos: Flights, banks hit
Air passengers crowded into airports to wait for news as dozens of flights were cancelled and operators struggled to keep...
- Reports from the Netherlands and Britain suggested health services may have been affected by the disruption, meaning the full impact might not yet be known.
- Banks in Kenya and Ukraine reported issues with their digital services, supermarkets in Australia had problems with payments.
Geostrategy
Israel lawmakers vote to oppose Palestinian state
The vote, which drew swift criticism from the Palestinian leadership and the international community, is largely symbolic but laid down...
- The establishment of a Palestinian state on lands occupied by Israel in 1967 has been the cornerstone of the international community's efforts to resolve the conflict.
- UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that "recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-state solution".
Economy
IMF maintains 2024 global growth forecast, warns of inflation risk
The International Monetary Fund expects the world economy to grow 3.2 percent this year, unchanged from its April forecast, according...
- But even as many countries saw better growth than anticipated early this year, the IMF flagged surprises in Japan and the United States.
- The IMF's report warned that a resurgence of tariffs can trigger retaliation and a "costly race to the bottom."
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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
MENA’s gaming sector projected to ‘touch $6 billion by 2027
Nikita Matsokin, Executive Director of MGVC (MY.GAMES, shares his thoughts on the MENA region’s creative talent, government support, and rapid...
Interview
Company News
Latest News
Gaza rescuers say 25 killed in Israeli strike on school-turned-shelter
Gaza civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP more than 100 others wounded in the strike on Dar al-Arqam School...
Geostrategy
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...
Business
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
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Geostrategy
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...
- In Jeddah, the port city close to Islam's holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah, dozens of Ukrainian and Saudi flags flew on a main roundabout near the airport and on thoroughfares.
- US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington wanted to use the talks "to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well".
Geostrategy
Arab leaders propose Gaza reconstruction under Palestinian Authority, reject Trump’s takeover plan
The prospect of the Palestinian Authority (PA) governing Gaza remains far from certain, however, with Israel having ruled out any...
- Tuesday's Arab League summit in Cairo offered an alternative with the adoption of a "comprehensive Arab plan."
- It announced the establishment of a trust fund to pay for the territory's reconstruction, and urged the international community to back it
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.