China’s smaller manufacturers look to catch the automation wave
Yancheng, China -- In a light-filled workshop in eastern China, a robotic arm moved a partially assembled autonomous vehicle as workers...
Geostrategy
Divided US Fed set for contentious interest rate meeting
When the Fed last met in October, Chair Jerome Powell asserted that another rate cut in December was "not a...
Economy
Business
Empower okays S115.7m dividend
The company has already disbursed dividends for H1 2023
- Empower, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, achieved record-high revenue of AED 3.035 billion for 2023.
- The company anticipates a minimum dividend payout of AED850 million annually during the first two fiscal years post-listing on the DFM
Business
Waha to pay cash dividend of 10 fils
The firm also okays 1.5 fils per share special dividend.
- Waha Capital reported a net profit of AED440 million in 2023, an increase of 28 percent from the previous year.
- Waha Investment, the company’s wholly owned asset management subsidiary, produced a net profit of AED639 million.
Geostrategy
Major US bridge collapses as cargo ship plows into pylon
Baltimore, United States -- A major bridge collapsed in Baltimore on Tuesday, blocking one of the busiest US commercial harbors, after...
- Six people -- all members of a nighttime construction crew repairing potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge -- were missing, officials said.
- The Port of Baltimore is the ninth-busiest major US port in terms of both foreign cargo handled and foreign cargo value is directly responsible for more than 15,000 jobs.
Business
Mubadala invests in Avanse
Avanse is education-focused non-banking financial company.
- Mubadala led this round of funding through its affiliate Alpha Investment Company with participation from Avendus.
- Avanse is the second largest NBFC in the education finance space in India, with AUM at around AED5.5 billion.
Business
Atlantis Dubai first Eastern Hemisphere Certified Autism Center resort
Dubai, UAE -- Atlantis Dubai becomes the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to gain the Certified Autism Center...
- To meet IBCCES requirements, Atlantis Dubai ensured that over 80 percent of its colleagues received training in autism and sensory awareness.
- More than 90 percent of guest-facing colleagues across both resorts underwent training in Autism & Sensory Awareness (ASA).
Business
Arabian Travel Market’s sold-out Travel Tech area grows 56% YoY
Dubai, UAE -- More than 100 of the world’s leading travel technology companies will be exhibiting at Arabian Travel Market...
- 33 percent more exhibitors participating this year, thanks to unprecedented demand from companies looking to showcase their innovations in front of a global audience.
- The global travel technology market was valued at $9.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $21 billion by 2032.
Market Report
Geopolitical tensions boost oil, weigh on equities
Geopolitical tensions sent oil prices climbing and weighed on equities as investors also continued to worry about prospects for interest...
- Moscow has escalated its aerial attacks on Kyiv, targeting key infrastructure in the wake of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities.
- Russia is a key producer of oil, while the Gaza-Israel war has given rise to worries about Middle Eastern crude supplies.
Business
ADNIC approves cash dividend of $69m
The company had posted its highest-ever net profit of $109.1m for 2023.
- Earnings per share (EPS) had climbed year-on-year (YoY) to AED 0.70 in 2023 from AED 0.63.
- During 2023, ADNIC's total insurance revenue hit AED 4.64 billion, down from AED 4.66 billion a year earlier.
Business
Mubadala acquires KELIX bio
KELIX bio is a specialty pharmaceutical business.
- KELIX bio was incepted in November 2020, and has since acquired manufacturing businesses in India, Egypt, Malta and Morocco.
- Mubadala said the acquisition aligns with Mubadala's goal to position the UAE prominently in the global life sciences sector.
Geostrategy
European Union probes Apple, Google, Meta under new digital law
Among six firms named as market "gatekeepers" under the EU's landmark Digital Markets Act -- along with Amazon, TikTok owner...
- The European Commission, the EU's antitrust regulator, said it suspects the measures the firms have put in place so far "fall short of effective compliance".
- Under the new rules, the commission can impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company's total global turnover. This can rise to up to 20 percent for repeat offenders.
Most Read
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
China’s smaller manufacturers look to catch the automation wave
Yancheng, China -- In a light-filled workshop in eastern China, a robotic arm moved a partially assembled autonomous vehicle as workers...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
Honda and Nissan were poised Monday to announce the start of talks on a merger to help the Japanese giants...
In stabilization bid, Syria’s new ruler declares all weapons under state control, including Kurdish arms
Ahmed al-Sharaa announced all weapons, including those held by Kurdish-led forces, will come under state control, emphasizing unity and coexistence...
Pope again condemns ‘cruelty’ of Israeli strikes on Gaza
"And with pain I think of Gaza, of so much cruelty, of the children being machine-gunned, of the bombings of...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
AD Ports Group secures $2.125 billion refinancing deal
The move aims to optimize financing costs.
- The deal is also aimed at extending the facility’s maturity to 2028, with an option to extend further until 2030.
- The increased facility, which was oversubscribed 2.5 times, will be used to support the Group’s short and medium-term growth objectives.
Geostrategy
UAE says will not arm Sudan paramilitary RSF: White House
Washington, United States -- The United Arab Emirates has informed the United States that it will not arm paramilitaries in Sudan's...
- Two US lawmakers said the UAE pledged to address their concerns and that, as a result, they would drop their attempt to block $1.2 billion in arms sales.
- The UAE has long denied arming the RSF, with which it has fought Yemen's Houthi rebels. Trump has shown a greater willingness to sell weapons to the UAE
Geostrategy
Biden cancels $4.28 bn more in student debt before leaving office
Washington, United States -- US President Joe Biden said Friday he was canceling student loans for an additional 55,000 Americans, which...
- The beneficiaries include teachers, nurses, service members, law enforcement officials, and other public service workers who have given back to their communities.
- In the United States, colleges can often cost anywhere between $10,000 and $70,000 a year, leaving some graduates with crushing debt as they enter the workforce.