AWS outage in Gulf raises reliability concerns as services remain disrupted over a week after strikes
Cloud services operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the Gulf region continue to face disruptions more than a week...
Economy
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph Melis
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets are characterized by rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and a...
Interview
Geostrategy
Israel returns 15 bodies to Gaza after hostage remains identified
It came after Israel announced that a body handed over by Hamas on Tuesday was that of Dror Or, one...
- The last two hostages' bodies still in Gaza are those of Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
- At the start of the ceasefire Hamas were holding 20 living hostages and 28 bodies of deceased captives.
Business
Insurance giant Allianz signals job cuts in AI shift
Frankfurt, Germany -- German insurance giant Allianz signalled Wednesday looming job cuts due to its adoption of artificial intelligence, with...
- Allianz Partners, the company's subsidiary dealing principally with travel insurance, said it was "leveraging AI" to strengthen its position and improve its services.
- Such changes could, however, "impact positions which are heavily reliant on manual processes today," it said in a statement.
Geostrategy
Robots take centre stage at Singapore ‘Olympiad’
Singapore -- The World Robot Olympiad opened in Singapore on Wednesday with hundreds of international students, some as young as...
- Organizers said 594 teams, comprising 1,571 participants from 91 countries, have registered for competitions to be held on Thursday and Friday on the theme "The Future of Robots".
- The theme "explores the way robotics can help solve global challenges and improve our lives", according to a fact sheet issued by the organizers.
Business
GCC countries attract $523.4bn in foreign investment in 2023
Muscat, Oman -- The GCC countries have seen a steady rise in foreign investment, according to data from the Statistical...
- Intra-GCC investments rise to $130 billion, aided by infrastructure, technology improvements, and modern legislation boosting regional business attractiveness.
- Capital markets grow to $4.2 trillion as corporate profits improve and institutional investments continue despite global economic uncertainties.
Geostrategy
G20 grapples with splintering world order
"Too many countries are retreating into geopolitical blocs or the battlegrounds of protectionism," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters....
- He and the other leaders at the summit -- which was boycotted by the United States -- held a searching discussion on how the G20 can survive in a fragmenting world.
- The United States is to host next year's G20 summit, with Trump planning to hold it at a Florida golf club he owns.
Geostrategy
Israeli strikes kill 21 in Gaza, dozens more wounded: Civil defense
Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defense agency, Bassal said one strike hit a house in Deir el-Balah in the...
- The Palestinian foreign ministry, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, condemned the strikes.
- It urged the international community to put "immediate pressure" on Israel to "stop the massacres".
Geostrategy
Amazon climate deal a ‘win’ for global unity but fossil fuels untouched
Nearly 200 countries approved the deal by consensus after two weeks of exhaustive negotiations on the fringes of the rainforest,...
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who staked political capital on the success of COP30, said the pact was proof that a fractured world could still unite in crisis.
- There was less euphoria in Belem, where defeated European ministers admitted they only took the watered-down deal to keep the entire process from imploding.
Geostrategy
UAE says will invest up to $50 billion in Canada
The fresh North American investment pledge came after UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan promised in May to pump...
- Under the terms of the agreement, the UAE will invest in energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, mining and other priority national and strategic industries in Canada.
- Foreign direct investment stock from the UAE in Canada stood at $8.8 billion in 2024, while Canadian direct investment stock in the UAE totaled $242 million that same year.
Geostrategy
COP30 deal under threat as nations clash over fossil fuels
The draft text unveiled by COP30 host Brazil made no mention of "fossil fuels" or the word "roadmap" that President...
- Divisions remain not just over fossil fuels but trade measures and finance for poorer nations to adapt to climate change and move to a low-carbon future.
- More than 30 countries had warned in a letter to Brazil that they would reject any deal that did not include a plan to move away from fossil fuels.
Business
AMD, Cisco, and HUMAIN partner to build 1 GW AI infrastructure in Saudi
Washington, DC., US – AMD, Cisco, and HUMAIN, a PIF-backed company delivering full-stack AI solutions, have announced plans to establish...
- The joint venture, which will begin operations in 2026, will combine HUMAIN’s advanced data centers with AMD and Cisco technologies.
- AMD and Cisco will act as exclusive technology partners, contributing their products and services to develop up to 1 GW of AI infrastructure by 2030.
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
AWS outage in Gulf raises reliability concerns as services remain disrupted over a week after strikes
Cloud services operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the Gulf region continue to face disruptions more than a week...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
How To Enhance Human Potential? The answer: Cognitive Cities, AI, and Leadership in MENA
Joseph Bradley, former CEO of Tonomus, shares with TRENDS his views on how AI and leadership can help MENA build...
Economy
Dubai Media City bets on AI to cement its global creative hub status
Dubai Media City has moved decisively beyond real estate into intellectual and digital value creation to support the next generation...
Interview
Trump at Davos demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force
Trump's quest to take control of Greenland, which he said was needed for national and international security, dominated his address...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
G42 launches ‘digital embassies’ model to help governments deploy sovereign AI
Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence group G42 on Tuesday launched what it calls a Digital Embassies framework and an operating model...
- It allows governments to deploy AI while retaining legal authority and control over data and systems, even when infrastructure is located outside national borders.
- The initiative comes as governments seek to accelerate the use of AI in areas such as public services, healthcare, national security and energy.
Interview
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...
- The region’s gaming sector is already a multibillion-dollar powerhouse, projected to reach $6 billion by 2027—twice its 2021 value.
- Dubai alone is home to more than 350 gaming companies, including 260 specialized developers, and the program aims to create 30,000 new jobs.
Geostrategy
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...
- BOARD OF PEACE - The White House says this body will focus on issues such as "governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction.
- NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF GAZA - This body, made up of technocrats, will "oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions.