Winter rains, flooding and limited aid worsen Gaza tragedy: IOM
"Vulnerable people, including at least seven infants, have died from hypothermia, and these tragic deaths underscore the urgent need for...
Geostrategy
Dubai real estate market saw record transactions worth $142.1bn in 2024
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai’s real estate market recorded 180,900 transactions worth AED 522.1 ($142.1 billion) in 2024, a market report...
Business
Business
ACWA Power refinances Al Dur debt
ACWA was the sole financial advisor to Al Dur Phase II IWPP project company.
- The $1 billion project uses sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology to produce 227,000 cubic meters per day of desalinated water.
- The list of lenders to the project include Ahli United Bank, APICORP, Al Rajhi Bank, Arab National Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi and Gulf International Bank.
Business
UAE first: Islamic banking assets by 2023 end cross $190bn mark
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The assets of Islamic banks operating in the UAE exceeded AED 700 billion ($190 billion) for...
- Deposits in Islamic banks rose to AED 495.5 billion at the end of last December, an annual increase of about 12.6 percent, compared to about AED 440 billion in December 2022.
- The total investments of Islamic banks reached AED 132.7 billion at the end of last December, an annual increase of 27.1 percent or AED 28.3 billion.
Geostrategy
Russia working to establish visa-free travel with Gulf nations: Bogdanov
Moscow, Russia -- Russia is working to establish a visa-free regime with all Gulf countries, said Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy...
- "In principle, such work is going on systematically. Because, of course, I think it is in the interests of our countries," said Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister.
- In September last year, Russia offered the complete cancellation of tourist visas to Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.
Business
Digital surge: UAE’s e-commerce eyes $17bn milestone
Widespread internet and smartphone use is the key driver of online shopping growth, with nearly two-thirds of the UAE's population...
- E-commerce revenues are predicted to reach $9 billion by 2024, reflecting a market penetration rate of 66.1 percent and a CAGR of 6.54%.
- Flexible payment options such as "Buy now, pay later" are gaining traction, with predictions stating that by 2024, almost 90 percent of sellers will offer these plans.
Business
Arabian Drilling to pay $60m dividend
The firm said the total dividend for 2023 will be S120 million.
- The company posted a net profit SAR 605 million in 2023, up 8 percent compared to SAR 558 million in 2022.
- The fourth-quarter net earnings jumped 34 percent to SAR 183 million from SAR 137 million in Q4 2022.
Economy
World Bank plans $6 billion in financial assistance for Egypt
The financial assistance includes "$3 billion for financial support to Government’s programs and $3 billion for the private sector (including...
- The World Bank Group is comprised of five separate agencies which deal with a range of issues, including investment. Its current portfolio with Egypt is above $8bn.
- Earlier this month, the IMF agreed an expanded $8bn loan package after Cairo implemented reforms that included moving towards a flexible exchange rate and hiking interest rates.
Geostrategy
ByteDance’s dilemma: Defending TikTok’s ‘secret sauce’ from US interference
Seoul, South Korea - As a US campaign to sever TikTok from its Chinese parent heads to the Senate, analysts say...
- Under new legislation, TikTok could be banned in the United States if it does not cut all ties with Chinese tech giant ByteDance
- US lawmakers and security agencies say TikTok presents a threat because China can access and use the vast troves of data the app collects for influence and espionage
Business
$37.30 million Saadiyat Island penthouse sets new Abu Dhabi record
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- A three-bedroom penthouse at Nobu Residences on Saadiyat Island was sold for a record AED137 million...
- Aldar said the sale represents the highest price per square meter achieved in the emirate, at more than AED96,000 per sqm.
- The record sale of the Nobu Residences Abu Dhabi penthouse follows a recently sold four-bed duplex sky villa at the same development for AED130 million.
Business
EITC to offer fintech services
The company has been licensed for fintech services by the CBUAE.
- The licenses granted by CBUAE enable du to introduce innovative financial solutions that will contribute to the development of an advanced financial ecosystems in the UAE.
- The licenses will also enable du to offer a range of digital financial services that align with the evolving needs and preferences of customers in the digital era.
Business
ADNOC and SEFE sign agreement
ADNOC will supply 1 million mtpa of LNG to SEFE Singapore.
- The LNG will primarily be sourced from ADNOC’s lower-carbon Ruwais LNG project, currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi.
- This is the second long-term LNG supply agreement from the Ruwais LNG project, following the 15-year agreement with China’s ENN Natural Gas in Dec 2023.
Winter rains, flooding and limited aid worsen Gaza tragedy: IOM
"Vulnerable people, including at least seven infants, have died from hypothermia, and these tragic deaths underscore the urgent need for...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Trump victory reflects Arab-American support, Netanyahu discusses Iran with him amid lingering regional conflict
In a unique campaign twist, Trump captured Muslim voters by pledging diplomacy, promising to end prolonged conflicts and promote stability,...
What impact will Donald Trump have on the world economy?
Paris, France -- Donald Trump's return to the White House with his protectionist policies poses threats for the global economy, with...
Geostrategy
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Interview
Securing the digital future: AI and global cooperation foster cyber resilience
While AI accelerates the detection and management of threats, cybercriminals also leverage this technology for sophisticated attacks, says WEF's cybersecurity expert Filipe Beato.
- Beato said cyber risks are among an organization’s highest priorities, and the threat keeps increasing, a fact emphasized by WEF since 2020.
- With the increased connectivity and dependencies of critical sectors and services, improving ecosystem cyber resilience requires collaborative action.
Geostrategy
B-52 bombers arrive in Middle East: US military
Washington, United States -- American B-52 bombers have arrived in the Middle East, the US military said Saturday, a day after...
- "B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base's 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility," the military said.
- The United States announced on Friday evening that it was sending the bombers, fighter and tanker aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the Middle East.
Geostrategy
Pro-Palestinian protesters take Israel sculptures from UK university
London, United Kingdom -- A pro-Palestinian group took two sculptures of Israel's first president from a UK university in a protest marking...
- "Today, Palestine Action have marked 107 years since the Balfour Declaration, by taking two sculptures of Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann," the protest group said.
- Palestine Action also sprayed the London office of charity Jewish National Fund (JNF) with red paint.