Building an anticipatory governance strategy for an increasingly risky world
Anticipatory governance is crucial in navigating today’s risks. While AI tools enhance forecasting, early warning does not always lead to early action. Bureaucratic inertia and political hesitation often delay responses. Governments, businesses, and NGOs must integrate risk intelligence into decision-making, ensuring proactive measures and resilience-building to prevent crises from escalating...
EU expects more GCC investors for its special program: Official
On 12th October 2021, the European Commission issued its first-ever NextGenerationEU green bond
Inflation second on external concern list, worry global CEOs
As prices have surged, inflation has soared as a worry for global executives, overtaking concerns about Covid-19 disruptions in some regions, according to a survey released Thursday. In a "seismic shift," inflation now ranks second on the list of top external concerns after labor shortages, up from 22nd last year,...
Gulf watch: Sectors that will grow most in 2022
The business environment in the region will experience a transformation that will have a far-reaching impact on economic trends and social dynamics.
UAE, European Union discuss ways to boost cooperation
The meeting was hosted at the UAE Ministry of Finance’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.Al Dhafra Festival kicks off in Abu Dhabi
The festival is organized by the Cultural Program and Heritage Festivals Committee, and will run till January 22.UAE, European Union discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation
The UAE and the European Union discussed ways of boosting bilateral cooperation between them to achieve mutual benefit across various fields. This discussion is a part of the UAE’s Finance Ministry commitment to strengthen its relations with various countries, and regional and international financial institutions. The Minister of State for...World economy at risk as Omicron engulfs Europe
More than half of people in Europe will likely catch Omicron by March, the WHO has said amid a World Bank warning that it could hamper global economic recovery.
Repeated Covid-19 boosters is not a viable strategy: WHO
The Technical Advisory Group on Covid-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-Co-VAC), an expert group created by the WHO to assess the performance of such vaccines, said that simply providing fresh jabs of existing Covid vaccines as new strains of the virus emerge was not the best way to fight the pandemic.
Tadweer of Abu Dhabi to hold ‘EcoWASTE’ exhibition
The exhibition and forum cover various fields, including recycling and waste management and treatment in the MENA region.
Biggest MENA steel event begins at Expo Centre Sharjah
The exhibition highlights state-of-the-art innovations of more than 400 world-leading brands from 30 countriesUAE warns public against flouting Covid-19 measures, spreading rumors
The Federal Agency said that irresponsible behavior which derails UAE's anti-COVID steps will be punishable by law.
UAE, Norway discuss cooperation, eye better relations
The UAE and Norway have discussed cooperation in relations between the two countries, said local media reports. The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed discussed the topic with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Anniken Huitfield on a phone call....Saudi Arabia GDP to gain in 2022: Kuwait Financial Center
Government spending on infrastructure projects as part of the Vision 2030 program is expected to boost non-oil GDP growth.As health concerns rise around the world, car gadgets proliferate
The Italian startup Filo launched a Bluetooth-based alarm system for children's car seats to prevent kids from being left in the car on hot days.
Women’s periods may be slightly late after Covid vaccine: study
Period cycles generally last about 28 days, but the precise amount varies from one woman to another, as well as within an individual's lifetime. It can also change during times of stress. For their study, the scientists analyzed anonymized data from a fertility tracking app, among women aged 18 to...Calling Omicron ‘mild’ is a mistake, warns WHO chief
Just under 9.5 million new Covid-19 cases were reported to the WHO last week — a record, up 71 percent on the week before. But even this was an underestimate, as it did not reflect the backlog of testing around the Christmas-New Year holidays, positive self-tests not registered, and overburdened...
Omicron surge may lead to newer, more dangerous variants: WHO
A top WHO official has sounded an ominous note of caution, that the soaring infection rates could have the opposite effect. According to him, the Omicron variant of coronavirus could pose a greater threat because of the sheer number of cases.Leaked memo says rusty Qantas pilots making errors: report
Qantas recognised very early that it needed to reassess pilots' recent and current flight time requirements as well as its "refamiliarisation programs", a Qantas spokeswoman said. "We designed an enhanced return-to-work program fit for the unprecedented challenge facing our industry," the spokeswoman added.‘Challenging year ahead for logistics industry’
Companies have used innovative methods to keep their operations running while overcoming numerous challenges linked to Covid-19 pandemic. However, the situation in the air freight market "continues to remain challenging," according to DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa CEO Amadou Diallo.
CES prepares to draw tech crowd despite Covid-19 surge
Multiple companies — including Amazon, BMW, and Microsoft — reduced or canceled their attendance as Covid-19 case numbers broke records, but organizers said safety protocols were in place for thousands of expected attendees. But some experts urged caution and daily testing, as not all attendees can be counted on to...
Jordan defers Covid-19-hit restaurants’ repayments till mid-2022
Issam Fakhreddin, the head of Jordan Restaurants Association called on tourist restaurants to submit a written request and a document of inability to repay
World leaders, dignitaries hail UAE for Dubai Expo 2020
Several world leaders and dignitaries who attended the Dubai Expo 2020 have hailed the mega event as "a beacon for global optimism" and "an incredible accomplishment", local media reports said. According to the reports, Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: "At a time when there is a...
UAE bans travel for unvaccinated citizens from Jan 10
Travel is permitted for non-vaccinated citizens, if the cases include medical exemption from taking the vaccine, humanitarian cases, and individuals traveling for medical and treatment purposes
On 40th anniversary, Abu Dhabi Airport vows improved services
Abu Dhabi Airports marked the 40th anniversary of the inauguration of Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on Sunday, local media reports said. "Abu Dhabi International Airport has connected the world to Abu Dhabi for 40 years and fueled the emirate’s emergence as a leading destination for tourism, trade and commerce,”...Gulf markets end 2021 on positive note
The Gulf financial markets ended 2021 on the rise, waiting to achieve significant gains next year.
AD Ports Group revenue grows 22% to US$760mn in 2021
AD Ports Group signed several partnerships to accelerate trade and the development of industry in the UAE and beyond, including working closely with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to enhance safety across Abu Dhabi’s waterways and collaboration with France-based CMA CGM Group to invest AED570 million in a new...What were the top geopolitical events of 2021?
The year 2021 was, despite the dampened activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, chock-full of landmark events.
UAE extends $2m grant to Costa Rica in flood response
The UAE has extended a grant of $2 million to Costa Rica to help the Central American country battle its flooding problem.
Spider-Man first $1bn post-pandemic movie
No Way Home has grossed $467.3 million in North America and $587 million internationally since its release earlier this month.
Saudi Arabia’s overall merchandise exports rise by 90 percent in Oct. 2021
Saudi Arabia’s overall merchandise exports increased by 90 percent in October 2021 compared to October 2020, when international trade was impacted by the lockdowns and the travel bans due to the breakdown of Covid-19 in many world countries. According to the international trade report for Oct. 2021, released by the...
Bahrain closes two eateries over violation of Covid-19 protocols
Inspectors also visited a total of 193 restaurants and cafes and took required measures against 17 outlets.Omicron hits Christmas weekend travel: Over 6,000 flights scrapped
More than 6,000 flights have been canceled worldwide over the long Christmas weekend and thousands more were delayed, a tracking website reported on Sunday, December 26, as the highly infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19 brought holiday hurt to millions of fliers.
Omicron surge pushes Morocco to extend flight ban
The restrictions have dealt a punishing blow to the North African country's vital tourism sector.IMF extends Covid emergency funding by 18 months
The emergency funding was set up to help nations that have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.Saudi economy set to be buoyant in 2022
The country is aiming for a budget surplus for the first time in eight years amidst increasing oil prices and the gradual opening of global markets, say market research firms.
Dubai airport fully operational for first time since pandemic
Dubai airport, one of the world's busiest travel hubs, is fully operational for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in March 2020, officials said Monday. The opening of sections closed as the Covid-19 crisis took hold comes as the United Arab Emirates records a rise of infections amid...Saudi Arabia advises citizens against foreign travel
The Saudi Public Health Authority has also announced new precautions for travelers entering the country.After trade push, Turkey pledges 15m Covid-19 vaccines for Africa
Turkey has invested heavily in developing trade and diplomatic ties with Africa under Recep Tayyip Erdogan since 2003.
IEA sees ‘more comfortable’ year for oil market in 2022
The Omicron coronavirus variant will slow the recovery in global demand for oil but the market will be "more comfortable" in 2022, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday. The oil market "appears to stand on a better footing than it has for some time," the IEA wrote in its...UAE ranks first in Arab world, 11th globally in Global Knowledge Index
Qatar was at the 38th place, Saudi Arabia at 40, Kuwait (48), Oman (52), and Bahrain (55) in the Global Knowledge Index that monitors the “Knowledge status” of the countries.
Oman okays 3rd Covid-19 vaccine dose for adults
The decision is said to have come at a meeting of Oman’s Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from Covid-19.
Morocco’s economy to grow 6.3% in 2021, says IMF
Morocco’s new government aims to narrow the wealth gap in the country where unemployment is running at almost 13 percent. The economic recovery is expected to continue, although the pandemic may leave some scars.Gates visits Dubai Expo, urges attainment of Sustainable Development Goals
During the tour, Gates was briefed on the ‘Ideabatic’, a low-cost innovation developed by Kitty Liao of the UK.
WHO allays Omicron fears, says it may not dodge all vaccines
According to WHO, the existing vaccines might prove less effective against the new Omicron variant as it counts more than 30 mutations on the spike protein that dots the surface of the coronavirus and allows it to invade cells.WHO advises against blood plasma treatment for Covid-19
The WHO has made a ‘strong recommendation’ against the use of blood plasma in people who do not have serious Covid-19 symptoms.Governments helped arms firms avoid Covid-19 slump
Governments around the world passed measures to help their big weapons firms, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).
QNB sees global economy recovering, despite bottlenecks
The bank said it was confident that the global bottlenecks would continue to improve over the coming year. ‘We expect this to reduce the pressure currently being felt by global central banks, enabling them to keep interest rates lower for longer,’ it said.Online food delivery infra a necessity now
‘The delivery sector has become critical to the hospitality industry's survival,’ says Deliverect Middle East General Manager Naji Haddad.IMF says Omicron could slow global growth
According to the economists, Omicron's threat to economy will likely be less severe than the previous waves.
OPEC+ to increase output in January
The OPEC+ alliance led by Saudi Arabia and Russia had so far resisted US-led pressure to significantly boost output to rein in surging energy prices.
