Borouge approves $1.3bn dividend for 2023
The company intends to pay $1.3bn in dividend for 2024 also.Turkey’s Erdogan seeks to wrest back Istanbul in mayoral election
Istanbul, Turkey--Recapturing Istanbul, the "jewel" of Turkey, in Sunday's local elections has become President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's obsession ever since losing the country's economic capital to the opposition in 2019. Erdogan's route to Turkey's presidency was launched in Istanbul, where he was elected mayor in 1994, and his allies held the...UAE earns first spot in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024 report
Abu Dhabi, UAE-- The United Arab Emirates has been ranked first globally for the third consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the year 2023-2024. The country recorded a rate of 7.7, a record number in the history of the report. The UAE was recognised as the...Japan to restart funding to UN Palestinian refugee agency
Tokyo, Japan--Japan is preparing to resume funding to the UN's crisis-hit Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), which coordinates nearly all aid to Gaza, the government said. Once the sixth-largest contributor to the agency, Japan joined more than a dozen countries in pausing funding after Israel claimed that 12 of UNRWA's 13,000...Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa expects financing to touch US$2.5bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) expects the bank's annual financing to reach US$2.5 billion by the end of 2024. According to its director general, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, the annual financing of the bank is witnessing a steady increase, rising from US$2 billion in...What has gone wrong for Saudi-backed Newcastle?
Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle still had to tread a fine line to avoid exceeding PSR after spending more than £250 million ($315 million) in the first three transfer windows under the new ownership.ICJ orders Israel to ensure humanitarian aid in Gaza
The International Court of Justice said in its order that Israel should "take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay... the unhindered provision... of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance" in Gaza. This included food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements.UHNWIs drive Dubai’s luxury real estate growth
"The ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) have transformative impact on the real estate market. These individuals, with their discerning tastes and substantial investments, have not only shaped but also transformed the landscape of luxury properties in the city," he adds.Gulf nations embark on defense industry localization
Saudi Arabia leads GCC efforts towards defense self-reliance by creating the first military industries committee, aiming to reduce foreign imports and enhance local capabilities.Embracer sells Borderlands
The sale is expected to be completed by June-end .White House rolls out ‘concrete safeguard’ policies for federal AI
Washington, US - "Concrete safeguards" for government use of artificial intelligence were announced by the White House on Thursday, as it vowed they would serve as a model for "global action." "When government agencies use AI tools, we will now require them to verify that those tools do not endanger the...Russia says ‘evidence’ links Ukraine to Moscow attack
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russia said on Thursday it had evidence the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside Moscow were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", a claim that the United States called nonsense. President Vladimir Putin and his security services continue to allege Kyiv and the West were involved...French parliament condemns 1961 Paris killings of Algerians
Paris, France - The French parliament's lower house on Thursday approved a resolution condemning as "bloody and murderous repression" the killing by Paris police of dozens of Algerians in a crackdown on a 1961 protest to support Algerian independence. In recent years France has made a series of efforts to come...Abu Dhabi Chamber sets up working group to support startups, SMEs
ABU DHABI, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has formed a working group specifically for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) here. This initiative aims to support and represent the interests of these businesses in the region. The goal is to make Abu...UN ‘disturbed’ as Israeli strikes on health care kills 10 in Lebanon
"The tragic events of the past 36 hours have resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries in south Lebanon. Up to 11 civilians were killed in a single day, including 10 paramedics," said Imran Riza, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon.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 to gather invaluable data on everything from the Sun's atmosphere to strange animal behaviors -- and even possible effects on humans. It comes with the Sun near the peak of...DEWA okays $844m dividend
In 2023, DEWA's revenue exceeded $7.8 billion, its highest ever.flydubai adds two Saudi destinations
Flights to Al Jouf Airport and Red Sea Airport to start from April 18.Emirates retains fourth most valuable airline brand status
Dubai, UAE -- UAE carrier Emirates defended its title as the fourth most valuable airline brand, with a staggering 30 percent increase in brand value, reaching $6.6 billion, according to Brand Finance, a brand valuation consultancy. With global travel recovering after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, airline brands in the Middle East have...UBS reports lower net profit in 2023
The Swiss government pushed it to buy Credit Suisse last year.US shoots down four Houthi drones in Red Sea
In November, the Houthis launched a campaign of drone and missile strikes against vessels in the Red Sea, an area vital for world trade, in professed solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. US and British forces have responded with strikes against the Houthis, who...Crypto fraudster Bankman-Fried faces sentencing
Calling Bankman-Fried's seven-count conviction reflective of the defendant's "unmatched greed and hubris," the government's sentencing request argues for significant jail time in light of fraud it estimates at more than $10bn. A lengthy sentence is necessary to "protect the public," argued US Attorney Damian Williams, who characterized him as an...Jill Biden writes children’s book about ‘First Feline’ Willow
Washington, United States - The Bidens' dogs grabbed headlines with their bad behavior, but "First Feline" Willow is getting a book all to herself. First Lady Jill Biden has written a children's story about the short-haired tabby's journey from a farm in Pennsylvania to the White House in 2022. With a...China’s Xiaomi to enter EV market
China's EV sector has grown rapidly in recent years.Aramco CEO terms energy transition strategy a failure
Speaking at the CERAWeek conference in Houston, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said that the current transition strategy is visibly failing on most fronts. adding that this is "hardly the future picture some have been painting." Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of global consumption last year.Abu Dhabi Chamber and UAEIIC team up to boost investment
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed an agreement with the UAE International Investors Council to collaborate in investment and futuristic economic sectors. According to the agreement, the Abu Dhabi Chamber and the Council will exert their best efforts to eliminate any obstacles that may...Saudi Arabia weighs handing state airline Saudia over to PIF
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia is considering transferring ownership of its national carrier, Saudia, to the sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Reports said that this transfer would encompass other assets under Saudia's umbrella, such as its low-cost unit, Flyadeal. Bloomberg initially reported the discussions regarding PIF's...Cross-border fire between Hizbollah and Israel leaves 16 dead
Israeli rescue teams searching a damaged building in the border town of Kiryat Shmona "found a 25-year-old who was unconscious, with no pulse and not breathing", and pronounced him dead at the scene, the Magen David Adom emergency service said.Investcorp Capital names new CFO
Rohit Nanda, the new CFO, will take up his new job next month.Israel backtracks on canceled Rafah talks: US official
Israel's prime minister cancelled the visit after the US abstained on the UNSC vote, allowing it to pass. But Israel backtracked, after the White House said it was "perplexed" by the move. The U-turn came after Israeli defense minister had "constructive discussions" with senior US officials in Washington.GenAI set to bridge cybersecurity skills gap by 2028
As GenAI narrows cybersecurity skills gap, organizations will prioritize aptitude over specialized education, adapting hiring practices to meet demands of emerging technologies.ADIB closes $235m Sharia-compliant transaction to finance gas carriers
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has closed a sharia compliant syndicated transaction totaling AED865 million ($235 million) for BGN and Al Seer Marine to finance new and energy-efficient gas carriers. This financing marks the second tranche of a larger syndication amounting to US$370 million, which will...Israeli troops shoot dead three Palestinians in West Bank
Residents told AFP that Israeli forces entered Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp just after midnight (2200 GMT on Tuesday) and raided several houses. The area in the northern West Bank is a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups and the frequent target of Israeli military incursions.UN expert faces threats after Israel Gaza ‘genocide’ remarks
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories, said this week there were reasonable grounds to believe Israel was "committing the crime of genocide against the Palestinians as a group in Gaza". She said she had received "nothing that so far I have considered...Quran burner Salwan Momika says leaving Sweden for Norway
Stockholm, Sweden - An Iraqi refugee in Sweden who stoked international outrage by repeatedly desecrating the Quran last year said Wednesday he was leaving the country for neighboring Norway after Sweden revoked his residency permit. Salwan Momika, a Christian Iraqi who burned Qurans at a slew of protests in Sweden over...Clowns try to put smiles back on faces of Gaza children
Palestinian Territories - The children of Gaza have little to eat, have had to flee their homes and have survived nearly six months of terrifying Israeli bombardment. But for a few precious minutes children in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip laughed and yelped with...Yen plunges to 34-year low, mixed results for equity markets
Hong Kong, China - The yen plunged Wednesday to a 34-year low against the dollar after a top Bank of Japan official indicated it would press ahead with a loose monetary policy, even after this month hiking interest rates for the first time since the global financial crisis. The fall raised...Abu Dhabi SeaWorld named world’s largest indoor marine-life theme park
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, has been recognized as the largest indoor marine life theme park globally. Covering a sprawling expanse of over 183,000 square meters and spanning five indoor levels, this facility stands as the inaugural marine life theme park in the region. Featuring eight...Empower okays S115.7m dividend
The company has already disbursed dividends for H1 2023‘GCC offers generous opportunities to expat women’
Eti Bhasin, a trailblazing restaurateur in Dubai's thriving hospitality scene, navigates challenges with resilience and innovation at her popular eatery, Dhaba Lane.Dubai’s media revamp key to navigate new horizons
"There is a need to double efforts to develop a comprehensive blueprint outlining necessary policies to drive the media sector in Dubai forward, enabling it to stay abreast of rapid technological advancements and seize breakthrough opportunities," adds the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.Lapita sees surge in leisure and wedding bookings in 2023
Dubai, UAE--Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, has reported a surge in demand, bookings from across leisure and corporate segment last year, With its convenient location between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, expansive outdoor spaces, word-class facilities that include seven meeting rooms, and the Tamure Ballroom able to accommodate up to 700...Hyundai to invest $50bn in South Korea
The automaker will make a bigger push to produce EVs.Waha to pay cash dividend of 10 fils
The firm also okays 1.5 fils per share special dividend.California looks to Europe to rein in deployment of AI
The richest state in the United States by GDP, California is a hotbed of no-holds-barred tech innovation, but lawmakers in state capital Sacramento want to give the industry laws and guardrails it has largely been spared in the internet age. Brussels has enacted a barrage of laws on US-dominated tech...Qatar looks to boost tourism sector by streamlining regulations
Doha, Qatar-- Qatar is looking to develop "plans and strategies" to streamline procedures and regulations in order to solve solve all obstacles facing the sector and align its development with the state's overall progress. This was stated by Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali bin Saad Al Kharji at...UN Palestinian agency chief says funding secured until end of May
Gaza has endured almost six months of war and a siege that has cut off most food, water, fuel and other supplies, and the UN has warned that its 2.4 million people are on the brink of a "man-made famine". The flow of aid trucks from Egypt has slowed amid...Beyonce album highlights the Black women changing country music
Nashville, United States - "Twenty-three in Music City / With dreams and high-heeled boots / Singin' for a crowd of blue eyes / Will they want me too?" croons Julie Williams at the Blue Room venue in Nashville. The 26-year-old, who is biracial, is one of many Black female artists carving...Israeli hostage held by Hamas in Gaza dead, say families
Jerusalem--One of the Israeli hostages kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas attack has been killed and his body is being held in Gaza, two groups representing hostage families said Tuesday. Uriel Baruch, 35, a father of two, was taken from the Supernova music festival, where 364 people were killed during...UAE bolsters air cargo industry with launch of ‘CARDS’ data platform
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has launched the Cargo Data Reporting System (CARDS), which provides a range of technical services to government entities, national airlines, ground handling agents and express service providers. CARDS is the first platform of its kind to provide an analytical view of air...




















































