AI toys look for bright side after troubled start
Las Vegas, United States -- Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that...
Business
Deja vu? Trump accused of economic denial and physical decline
Washington, United States -- An aging president faces poor poll numbers and suspicions about his health but insists that America...
Economy
Geostrategy
Hamas undecided on sending delegation to new truce talks: Official
The official said the gap between the two sides' negotiating positions was too wide. "I doubt that there will be...
- "Netanyahu is not serious and not interested, and the US administration is not exerting real pressure as long as it judges that things are still under control," he added.
- Mediators had hoped to secure a ceasefire before the start of Ramadan, but progress stalled and the holy month is more than half over.
Business
Dubai partners with 9 developers to bolster Real Estate Program
Dubai, UAE -- The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has embarked on the first phase of a series of strategic partnerships...
- The developers include Emaar Properties, Expo Dubai, Deyaar, DAMAC Properties, Azizi Developments, MAG, Sobha Realty and Ellington Properties.
- The agreement aims to enhance the competitiveness of Emirati professionals and facilitating their roles in the real estate sector.
Business
Agility 2023 net profit $272m
The company is recommending a cash dividend of 10 percent.
- Full-year EBITDA was up 42.4 percent to KD 257.2 million and revenue increased 56.7 percent to KD 1.35 billion.
- The Q4 2023 earnings of KD26 million, or 10.2 fils per share was almost in line with the same period a year earlier.
Science
Romania center explores world’s most powerful laser
The high-tech building housing the center cost $350 million, mainly financed by the EU. Thales bills it as the largest...
- The laser at the center, near the Romanian capital Bucharest, is operated by French company Thales, using Nobel prize-winning inventions.
- Countries including France, China and the United States are already advancing their own projects to manufacture even more powerful lasers.
Business
Iraq to import electricity from Jordan to ease its chronic outages
Baghdad, Iraq -- Iraq said Friday a power line would soon bring electricity from Jordan to the border area as authorities...
- With its generating capacity ravaged by decades of conflict and underinvestment, Iraq has long relied on imports of both gas and electricity from neighboring Iran.
- The 340-kilometre (210-mile) power line from Jordan will officially start operating on Saturday, the electricity ministry said in a statement.
Geostrategy
UAE extradites alleged drug baron from Dubai to Belgium
Brussels, Belgium -- One of Belgium's most-wanted suspected drug smugglers was extradited from Dubai on Friday, the Belgian justice ministry said....
- Nordin El Hajjioui, a Belgian of Moroccan origin, is believed to be one of the main drug barons in Antwerp and is wanted in at least three cocaine-trafficking cases.
- Emirati officials first arrested the 36-year-old in 2020 in Dubai after a request from Belgium but then released him. He was taken back into custody last year.
Business
Amlak 2023 net profit $70m
The company's revenue fell by 18 percent in 2023.
- Revenues from financing business activities for the year 2023 declined by 3 percent as compared to 2022 and stood at AED 122 million in 2023 (FY22: AED 127 million).
- The company recorded a net gain of AED174 million (2022: AED 349 million) on debt settlement arrangements and was able to reduce its debt burden by AED531 million.
Business
Borouge approves $1.3bn dividend for 2023
The company intends to pay $1.3bn in dividend for 2024 also.
- Borouge recorded $1 billion in net profit in 2023 and its $607 million Value Enhance Programme contributed a significant 28 percent to 2023 EBITDA.
- Borouge said it outperformed its regional and international peers with one of the highest EBITDA margins in the industry at 38 percent.
Science
What do scientists hope to learn from total solar eclipse in US?
Washington, United States -- When a rare total solar eclipse sweeps across North America on April 8, scientists will be able...
- Total solar eclipses offer "incredible scientific opportunities," NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy told a press conference this week about the celestial event.
- Startling animal behavior has been noted during eclipses: Giraffes have been seen galloping, while roosters and crickets can start crowing and chirping.
Business
DEWA okays $844m dividend
In 2023, DEWA's revenue exceeded $7.8 billion, its highest ever.
- The company's operating profit was over AED 8.7 billion and EBITDA was over AED 14.7 billion.
- It recorded the highest annual power generation of 56.1 TWh, which includes clean power generation of 6.2 TWh.
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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
AI toys look for bright side after troubled start
Las Vegas, United States -- Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Global stocks rise as Japan led Asia gains on a weaker yen
Seoul was an outlier in Asia with shares plunging as South Korea's political crisis deepened with a second impeachment vote....
Business
Improving healthcare in the intelligent age requires cultural change and collaboration
Leaders can utilize AI tools to streamline this challenging process by efficiently identifying individuals who are qualified matches to participate...
Israeli strike on broadcast vehicle kills five Al-Quds Today journalists
Palestinian Territories -- A Palestinian TV channel said five of its journalists were killed Thursday in an Israeli strike on...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Pope calls for ‘arms to be silenced’ in Christmas appeal
Rome, Italy -- Pope Francis called Wednesday for "arms to be silenced" around the world in his Christmas address, appealing for...
- His voice breathless, the 88-year-old pontiff also appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the freeing of Israeli hostages held there by Hamas.
- Francis also extended his call for peace to Sudan, which has been ravaged by 20 months of brutal civil war and where millions are under the threat of famine.
Economy
Egypt to access $1.2 billion in funding after deal with IMF
Washington, United States -- The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday that it has reached a deal with Egyptian authorities allowing the...
- The deal comes as both sides reached staff-level agreement on the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility arrangement, the fund said.
- The funding access is subject to executive board approval. The discussions culminating in the deal were held in person from November 6-20 and virtually afterwards.
Business
Honda shares soar 16%
The surge came after the auto giant announced a $7bn buyback.
- The buyback announcement came as Honda and its struggling rival Nissan agreed on Monday to launch talks on a merger.
- Honda will buy back its own shares worth up to 1.1 trillion yen, or 23.7 percent of the total issued shares, to improve "efficiency of its capital structure".