DUBAI, UAE - Conflict-plagued countries in the Middle East are among the most vulnerable to climate change but are almost entirely excluded from meaningful financing to mitigate its effects, aid groups warned on Thursday. In a joint report focusing on Iraq, Syria and Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross...

The oil derived from the famed Damask rose--named after the ancient city of Damascus located just across the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria--is a staple of perfumers.

Manama, Bahrain - Beyon has announced a major investment of more than $250 million in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure in Bahrain which will support the growth of the country’s digital economy.  Batelco, part of the Beyon group, has joined the SEA-ME-WE 6 (Southeast Asia - Middle East - Western Europe) consortium,...

Aramex said revenue was impacted by currency fluctuations, etc.

Its transformative power to reshape life has left people awestruck across the world, but the technology that powers ChatGPT might put at risk about 10 million jobs in the GCC.

French retailer is first foreign supermarket chain in Israel.

MADRID, SPAIN -  The World Tourism Barometer published its second report of the year, which showed that international tourism is making a strong comeback to pre-pandemic levels. During the first quarter of 2023, twice as many people traveled internationally than in the same period of 2022, with a total of...

A majority of the people who voted in a TRENDS poll see the China-brokered deal between the two countries as a positive development.

The company posted its highest-ever quarterly sales.

DUBAI, UAE -  The private sector and financial institutions in the Middle East should enhance reporting by including information about how they both impact and depend upon nature and natural capital, says a report.    The report titled 'Nurturing Natural Capital: The Middle East Imperative' was released by the World Government...

Dubai, UAE -- More than 40,000 people – including 30,000 visitors – attended the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which concluded last week in Dubai. This not only represents a year-on-year increase of 29 percent in attendees compared to 2022, but it also represents a 5 percent increase...

The participants are reported to have discussed the broad contours of the massive joint project to build railway, maritime and road connectivity in the larger region.

Dubai, UAE-- Seeking to take advantage of the boom in the Middle East's hospitality sector, Radisson Hotel Group will triple its presence in the region by 2030. The hotel group, running 52 hotels and resorts in the Middle East, is planning to have 150 properties in operation and under development...

Preparations for Raisi's visit have been underway for days in the Damascus district housing Iran's embassy, with concrete barriers in front of the mission removed, an AFP correspondent said. Iran's president leads a senior "economic-political delegation" for his two-day trip at Assad's invitation, Iranian state media reported.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has approved new rules aimed at boosting foreign investment in the country's securities market.  The rules framed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) include those for Foreign Investment in Securities, amendments to the Investment Accounts Instructions, amendments to the Implementing Regulation of the Companies...

"The suspected leader of Daesh, codename Abu Hussein al-Qurashi, has been neutralised in an operation carried out yesterday (Saturday) by the MIT in Syria," Erdogan announced on television, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State organisation. Residents said that an operation had targeted an abandoned farm that was being...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The emirate of Abu Dhabi is looking to draw some 24 million visitors by the end of 2023, six million more than it succeeded to attract last year. Ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2023, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced...

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi slammed the United States' presence in the Middle East, as he hosted his counterpart from neighboring Iraq for wide-ranging talks. Decades-old arch enemies the United States and Iran have vied for influence in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. Both helped Iraq...

The country increased its military spending by 16 percent to reach an estimated $75 billion, surpassing the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

Dubai, UAE -Taking advantage of the boom in the tourism sector in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are engaged in frantic construction activity to build new hotels in order to cope with the rush of visitors. According to a report by STR, Saudi Arabia is involved in...

The London-based rights group said the Syrians were expelled following raids on their homes in various parts of the country, adding that those who had "entered the country irregularly or held expired residency cards" were deported. It cited the brother of one refugee as saying that the Lebanese armed forces...

"We came to send a message to the whole world that with this normalization, you will gain Bashar al-Assad the criminal, and you will lose the Syrian people," said Abdel Salam Mohammed Yussef, who heads a camp for displaced people.

48% of the bond went to central banks and official institutions.

Dubai, UAE -  Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has signed a collaboration agreement with Mastercard that aims to drive digital transformation through partnerships with innovative FinTech companies. The partnership between DIFC and Mastercard will provide FinTech...

"We affirm our readiness to meet and talk with the Syrian government and with all Syrian parties to hold discussions and present initiatives for a solution," the Kurdish authorities said.

The emirate still remains at the top of the list of places to visit in the region because of the sheer diversity of products it has to offer and the infrastructure it has built.

If China successfully mediates the Israel-Palestine peace talks, it will cement its status as a global peacemaker, a role that has long been reserved for the United States.

"The technical committees are now doing their work in this context, and it is expected that there will be exchange visits to consider the procedures we need to reopen embassies." foreign ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari told a briefing. A UAE official confirmed that the reopening of embassies is "under process".

The move came a day after the arrest of the party's leader, Rached Ghannouchi, 81, at his home in the capital Tunis, the latest in a string of opposition figures held. Ennahdha was the largest party in Tunisia's parliament before President Kais Saied dissolved the chamber in July 2021.

SHARJAH, UAE- Arada is investing in a new research and development (R&D) facility here, bringing a new form of sustainable water treatment to the UAE, and the Middle East, for the first time. Arada's joint venture agreement is with Hungarian water tech firm Biopolus, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park...

Beirut, Lebanon--A US helicopter raid on Monday targeted a senior Islamic State group leader in Syria suspected of plotting attacks in Europe and the Middle East, US Central Command said. "US Central Command forces conducted a unilateral helicopter raid in northern Syria in the early morning... targeting a senior ISIS Syria...

In the last 10 years, a motley of supposedly best-run companies in the Middle East have collapsed, disappearing into obscurity. TRENDS examines what went wrong.

Tunis, Tunisia -- A professional footballer in Tunisia has died after setting himself alight earlier this week in what he said was a protest against the "police state" ruling the country, his brother said Friday. Nizar Issaoui, 35, suffered third-degree burns from his action in the village of Haffouz in the...

Paris, France - With flowing kaftans, fluid separates and glamorous maxi dresses, Western luxury fashion brands are increasingly targeting the monied Middle Eastern market with Ramadan capsule collections. "You're about to be the best-dressed person at every iftar and suhoor that you attend," declared Cosmopolitan Middle East magazine earlier this month...

Friday's nine-nation talks in Jeddah, the Red Sea gateway to Mecca, come after Syria's foreign minister arrived on a previously unannounced visit - the first since the outbreak of the country's civil war in 2011.

Friday's nine-nation talks in Jeddah come after Syria's foreign minister arrived on a previously unannounced visit -- the first since the outbreak of the country's civil war in 2011. It was one in a flurry of events that were nearly unthinkable before Saudi Arabia and Iran announced to restore ties.

It's raining peace in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia has taken lead in normalizing ties with countries such as Turkey, Iran and Syria in the past few months.

Dubai, UAE – Spending on artificial intelligence in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) — including Israel — will reach $3 billion in 2023, according to the latest Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide from International Data Corporation (IDC). While this will account for just 2 percent of the global total...

Successful business leadership requires that we innovate and embrace change. This means a commitment to seek paths untrodden, embracing new technologies, willingness to take risks, experimenting with new ideas and strategies, and focusing on creating sustainable, long-term growth, he adds.

Nearly a decade of war in Yemen has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, both directly and indirectly, and triggered what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The Huthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, triggering the conflict with the government backed for eight years by...

The two regional powers have cut ties twice since the 1987 crackdown on protesting Iranian pilgrims in Makkah. They have now pledged to work together for regional stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan have pledged to reopen diplomatic representations within two months.

Tripoli's mushrooming arcades have driven rapid growth in Libya's nascent gaming community, Mattouss says. The increasingly organized community is "motivating players and pushing other young people without experience to start training". He predicts that the sector will continue developing quickly.

Dubai, UAE--Emirates NBD has successfully priced a US$1 billion Senior Unsecured Sustainable Sukuk for Al Rajhi Bank, the world’s largest Islamic bank by assets and market capitalization. The five-year Sukuk which was priced at a reoffer yield of 4.774 percent generated strong demand, attracting orders of over US$3.75 billion. The...

The investment was announced during Investopia 2023.

In his first comments on the matter to be made public since the deal was struck, Xi said the dialogue promoted by China would "play a major role in strengthening regional unity and cooperation". Crown Prince Mohammed on Tuesday "expressed the Kingdom's appreciation for the Chinese initiative to support efforts...

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Borouge is supplying sustainable “Made in UAE” polyethylene materials worth AED120 million ($32 million) that are used in several development projects across the Middle East and Africa region. Borouge’s contribution to these mega projects is driven by collaboration with the local manufacturing companies who selected quality...

The Abraham peace Accords between Israel and some Middle Eastern countries has paved the way for new cooperation and energy production opportunities, further solidifying the region's position in the global energy market. The region is also developing skill sets in areas of the industry beyond just production, she adds.

SHARJAH, UAE - Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) participated in a discussion on modern and innovative technologies in water desalination and their contribution to achieving sustainability. The discussion was a part of the Water Desalination Projects Forum in the Middle East and North Africa, held in Abu Dhabi....

Local deals account for 51% of total M&A volume with technology sector at 25% as improved market conditions and pro-business reforms boost investor confidence in the region.