Who has been invited to be on Trump’s Gaza boards?
The White House said there would be a main board, chaired by Trump himself, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant...
Geostrategy
GCC’s quest for AI dominance has several hurdles to surmount
For governments and corporates across the Gulf, the immediate task is pragmatic: marry sovereign ambition with sustainable skills programs and...
Business
Geostrategy
European Union imposes fresh sanctions on ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers
Brussels, Belgium -- The European Union on Monday announced sanctions on five Israelis -- including those termed "extremist settlers" -- and...
- The asset freezes and visa bans are the second round of sanctions from the 27-nation bloc targeting violent Israeli settlers, taking the total number of listings to 14.
- Prominent settlers blacklisted by the European Union included Moshe Sharvit, Zvi Bar Yosef, Baruch Marzel, and Isaschar Manne.
Business
ADNOC Gas awards $550m contracts
The company aims to expand UAE gas infrastructure, increase customer reach
- Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts were awarded for the next phase of the UAE sales gas pipeline network enhancement "ESTIDAMA Project".
- ADNOC Gas will continue to expand its domestic business through ESTIDAMA, paying ADNOC a variable transmission fee for actual throughput of the pipeline.
Business
Dubai Summer Activities: A new guide to emirate’s attractions
Dubai, UAE -- A new #DubaiDestinations guide titled ‘Dubai’s Summer Activities’ invites residents and visitors to delve into an array...
- Developed by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, the interactive guide forms part of the latest phase of the #DubaiDestinations campaign.
- It seeks to showcase the city's top-rated summer experiences and highlight unique attractions that make Dubai a one-of-a-kind summer destination.
Business
Saudi Arabia records 16% growth in air travel in first half: GACA
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The number of air passengers in Saudi Arabia increased by 17 percent during the past six...
- The number of flights also reached approximately 446,000, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
- The airfreight volume in the first six months of 2024 witnessed a 41 percent increase, reaching 606,000 tons.
Business
2024 Global Aerospace Summit: Accelerating aerospace innovation
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Representing the aerospace, aviation, space, and defense sectors, the premier thought leadership forum will aim to...
- The two-day event will take place on 25-26 September at the St. Regis, Saadiyat Island Resort in the UAE capital – Abu Dhabi.
- The 2024 edition will center on several objectives designed to drive the industry forward and address global aerospace concerns.
Business
Al Noor Island listed among top 10 attractions in Middle East
Sharjah, UAE -- Sharjah's renowned landmark and award-winning family-friendly destination, Al Noor Island, has secured its place among the top...
- Developed and managed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the destination has been ranked among Sharjah's top attractions since its inception.
- This recognition marks the second consecutive year that Al Noor Island has won the title, an achievement reserved for the top 1% of the 8 million listings on TripAdvisor.
Business
Saudi Aramco share sale nets $12.35 billion on investor demand
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Aramco netted $12.35 billion, $1 billion more than expected, from a secondary share sale after exercising...
- The offering announced in May was the largest in the Middle East since Aramco's record initial public offering (IPO) in 2019, bolstering Saudi's finances.
- Aramco, the jewel of the Saudi economy that remains mostly state-owned, announced on May 30 that it would sell 1.545 billion shares.
Business
Shell, TotalEnergies and BP take stakes in UAE gas project
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Energy majors TotalEnergies, Shell and BP will each take a 10 percent stake in a liquefied...
- Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co. will also acquire 10 percent of the Ruwais LNG plant, scheduled to come online in 2028, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said.
- ADNOC, the UAE's key revenue-earner, will retain a 60 percent majority stake, the firm said following a signing ceremony.
Business
Saudi records $412m venture capital funding in H1, highest in MENA
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has maintained its first rank across MENA in terms of the amount of Venture...
- E-commerce/retail was the highest sector in the Kingdom in terms of VC funding, accounting for 52 percent of total funding, amounting to $215 million.
- FinTech continued to lead the Kingdom's total number of deals, capturing 14 percent of deals in the first half of 2024.
Business
Methanol-powered ship to set sail for Europe’s first ‘green’ route
Rotterdam, Netherlands -- The first methanol-powered ship to ply routes between Europe's busy ports was unveiled Tuesday in Rotterdam, with shipping...
- The Eco-Maestro, a 13,675-tonne container carrier will head off to Antwerp in the next few days, before plotting a course for Klaipeda in Lithuania and Riga in Latvia.
- Completed in China earlier this year, the Eco-Maestro is kitted out with the latest engines that can run on methanol -- a sustainable fuel made from decomposed organic matter.
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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
Who has been invited to be on Trump’s Gaza boards?
The White House said there would be a main board, chaired by Trump himself, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
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
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...
Geostrategy
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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
Geostrategy
Trump doubles down on Gaza shock plan, says Israel will turn over the territory to US
Trump said that by the time of the handover, Palestinians "would have already been resettled in far safer and more...
- Trump first made the stunning proposal to audible gasps during a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Tuesday, whom he was hosting at the White House for talks
- Suggesting "long-term ownership" by the US, Trump said he would make Gaza the Riviera of the Middle East, and that "this could be something that could be so magnificient".