Israel security chief accuses PM of demanding personal loyalty
Israel's internal security chief, whom the government is trying to sack, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday of demanding personal...
Geostrategy
Russia to hold talks with US in Riyadh Monday: Kremlin
Donald Trump spoke to both Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky this week and the US is also due...
Geostrategy
Business
Saudi tourism sector employee number rises by 5.1 percent in second quarter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The number of employees in tourism-related activities in Saudi Arabia increased by 5.1 percent in the...
- GASTAT's Tourism Establishments Statistics bulletin for the second quarter of 2024 said that of these employees, Saudi nationals accounted for 25.6 percent (245,905 employees.
- Male employees dominated the sector, representing 86.6 percent of the workforce (831,076 employees), with women comprising 13.4 percent (128,099 employees).
Geostrategy
Coal use at record high in 2024, the world’s hottest year: IEA
Paris, France -- World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday,...
- China drives global coal demand to new heights, consuming 4.9B tons in 2024—over 30% more than the rest of the world.
- The IEA's "Coal 2024" report predicts the world will hit peak coal in 2027 after topping 8.77 billion tons this year.
Business
ADNOC Drilling closes JV
It is a JV between ADNOC Drilling, SLB and Patterson UTI.
- ADNOC Drilling holds a 55 percent majority equity stake, SLB, the world's largest oilfield services provider, holds a 30 percent equity stake and Patterson-UTI 15 percent.
- Turnwell announced the acceleration of its initial 144 unconventional wells earlier this year, following the successful operational startup.
Geostrategy
TikTok under fire: Espionage claims, election influence campaigns and controversies
The platform faces accusations of espionage in the United States, while the European Union has launched an investigation into claims...
- The United States in April passed a law obliging TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance to sell off the platform by January 19 on the grounds it allowed China to access data on US users.
- Its editing features and powerful algorithm have kept it ahead of the game, attracting an army of creators and influencers as well as creating many of its own.
Business
World’s rarest coffees to be auctioned for first time in Dubai
Dubai, UAE -- Coffee aficionados and industry leaders will converge in Dubai this February at World of Coffee (WOC) Dubai...
- Some of the rarest coffees in the world include Black Ivory from Thailand, which sells for approximately $1,500 per kg.
- The coffee industry has experienced a significant rise in value and demand, with coffee prices reaching a 47-year high.
Business
US stocks mostly rise ahead of expected rate cut, bitcoin hits new record
The Fed is widely expected to cut its key lending rate for a third straight time, reducing it by a...
- Bitcoin hit a new record high at $106,493.43 as it continues to gain support from Donald Trump's backing of cryptocurrencies.
- Investors are turning their attention to Wednesday's US Federal Reserve decision on borrowing costs at its last policy meeting of the year before Trump takes office next month.
Nations step up outreach to Syria’s post-Assad rulers
Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels...
- Diplomats have urged an inclusive new administration focused on nation-building and justice
- The interim government insists they will protect the rights of all Syrians, and the rule of law
Geostrategy
Key Libya oil refinery halts operations after clashes: state firm
Tripoli, Libya -- A key oil refinery in western Libya suspended operations after armed clashes erupted early on Sunday, causing fires...
- The Zawiya refinery, built in 1974, is Libya's second largest with a refining capacity of more than 120,000 barrels per day (bpd).
- It is the only refinery supplying the local market with fuel products. Zawiya city is the third largest in Libya's Tripolitania region, after the capital and Misrata.
Business
US Federal Reserve expected to cut rates in last meeting of Biden era
Washington, United States -- The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce a quarter point cut to its key lending...
- The Fed is also tipped to signal a slower path of cuts going forward amid uncertainty over the impact of President-elect Donald Trump's economic proposals.
- Trump has vowed to tackle the high cost of living, a top concern of voters who sent him back to the White House in November's election.
Cybersecurity in 2024: From talent shortages to resilience against emerging tech risks
In 2024, cybersecurity remained central, addressing skill gaps and the impact of generative AI. A Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework offered...
- Cybersecurity in 2024 focused on talent gaps, emerging tech, and resilience
- Public-private efforts tackled cybercrime and evolving digital threats
Israel security chief accuses PM of demanding personal loyalty
Israel's internal security chief, whom the government is trying to sack, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday of demanding personal...
Geostrategy
Company News
ADNOC Gas awards contracts
Business
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ADNOC L&S buys stake in Navig8
Business
Cyber landscape complexity deepens cyber inequity, gap between organizations: WEF report
The complexity arises from the rapid growth of emerging technologies, prevailing geopolitical uncertainty and the evolution of threats, says WEF's...
Geostrategy
World economic growth to remain at 2.8 percent in 2025: UN report
The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report shows that despite withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, global...
Economy
ADNOC Gas awards contracts
The $2.1bn contracts are aimed at enhancing LNG supply infrastructure.
Business
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Business
Qatar’s real estate department records weeklong deals worth $71 million
Doha, Qatar -- Real estate sales contracts worth 251.25 million qatari riyals were registered with the emirate's Real Estate Registration...
- During the Dec 29-Jan 2 period, the total sales contracts for the real estate bulletin for residential units reached QR 10.57 million.
- The properties traded for sale included vacant lands, residential homes, apartment buildings, shops, residential complex, and residential units.
Business
Saudi Industrial Production Index increases by 3.4 percent in Nov 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) increased by 3.4 percent in November 2024, compared to Nov...
- This increase is driven by growth in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, water supply, sewerage, and waste management and remediation activities.
- The sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 1.2 percent, and the sub-index of manufacturing activity increased by 7.2 percent.
Business
Saudi Arabia retains first rank in MENA Venture Capital funding in 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia maintained its first rank across MENA in terms of Venture Capital (VC) funding in...
- The Kingdom secured the highest, 40 percent, share of total VC funding in the MENA region in 2024.
- The report also revealed that Saudi Arabia set a new record with 178 VC deals in the same year.