The virtual services, enhanced with AR and VR technologies, are expected to begin in October this year
Author Archives: Matthew Amlot
Elon Musk
Elon Musk dodges questions about failed $44 billion Twitter deal
Twitter previously announced plans to take Musk to court to complete the merger
Cybersecurity
UAE Cybersecurity Council issues warning on electronic fraud, phishing attacks
Phishing attacks have grown as technology has become more implemented in day-to-day lives
5G
Asia’s richest man, Gautam Adani, now bidding for India’s 5G phone airwaves
The billionaire’s conglomerate will participate in an auction for 5G airwaves later this month
Netflix
Netflix still “global champion” of streaming despite 200,000 subscriber loss, Co-CEO says
The streaming firm has been trying to find ways to cut costs as subscriber growth slows
10 Downing Street
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign as party leader while ministers desert cabinet
The British leader has had the most turbulent week of his tenure as senior members of his government resign
coronavirus
Saudi Arabia lifts mandatory face mask rules for most places
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is also no longer required for entrance to events
Al Hosn
UAE reduces Al Hosn Green Pass validity to 14 days amid spiking Covid-19 cases
The country’s crisis authority warned that some residents have not been following isolation rules
Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
Here’s how the Middle East can find the road to decarbonisation
The region has bold targets for net zero, but challenges remain if decarbonisation is to be realised
airline bookings
Bookings open for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 flydubai shuttle service for football fans, prompting price plummet
Flights to Doha from Dubai are now available, but World Cup ticket holders will need to register for their fan ID in advance of boarding the flight
Dr Essam Mohammed
UAE, Egypt, Jordan economic deal to pave way for new period of economic integration, ministers, officials say
The Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Growth will help build the region’s added-value manufacturing sectors
Cairo
Ride hailing start-up Swvl to cut one-third of staff, looks for profitable in 2023
The company, based in Cairo and Dubai, announced they would go public via a $1.5 billion SPAC merger last July
Bahrain
Binance receives approval to offer more crypto services in Bahrain
Binance has eyed Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as crypto hubs, given their existing regulatory frameworks, sandboxes, and desire to host pioneering financial services
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has lowest traffic congestion of any capital city in the world: Report
The survey examined 416 cities in 57 countries, with Abu Dhabi at the top of capital cities
health and safety
UAE announces three new cases of monkeypox, health authorities ‘taking all necessary measures’
The country’s health ministry also noted that the virus is less likely to spread compared to Covid-19
Commodities
Egypt says it will double exports to $100 billion over next three years
The country will also build a strategic stockpile of major commodities for emergencies
MBZ
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan elected as UAE President
The decision follows the passing of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday
Entertainment
UAE restaurants, hotels to cease all entertainment, music for three days after death of Sheikh Khalifa
Live music, entertainment, and events must all be cancelled while the country enters 40 days of mourning
Here’s how the UAE will choose a new President following the passing of Sheikh Khalifa
The UAE’s federal constitution decrees that the Supreme Council will vote on the country’s next leader
Abu Dhabi
In pictures: Sheikh Khalifa laid to rest in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, performed the funeral prayer for late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed the First Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Khalifa remembered for pivotal role in opening Abu Dhabi’s economy
A look into the life of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the second President of the United Arab Emirates and 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Remembering Sheikh Khalifa: The man that helped to shape a nation
As a proud expat and resident of the UAE, I will forever be grateful to the country, but even more so to the authority, compassion, and leadership of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Abu Dhabi
Real estate buyers face uncertain future as interest rate hike casts spectre on mortgage rates: Experts
Fixed term mortgages are likely to increase in popularity as buyers seek to lock in their mortgage costs amid increasing interest rates
Apple
Apple’s share of global smartphone market increases 20% in Q1 2022
The iPhone maker saw its global smartphone share increase to 18 percent by 15 percent
Dubai
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to establish metaverse HQ in world first
VARA will be the world’s first regulator to establish a presence in the metaverse, entering the virtual world The Sandbox
Oil
Russia to pull in $260 billion in tax from oil, gas amid price spike despite sanctions production cut: Rystad
Despite a severe cut in production, Russia will still pull in significant taxes from its energy sectors due to sky-high pricing
World faces $410 billion economic shock as central banks reverse course: Report
Central banks are putting the brakes on an unprecedented pandemic-era bond buying spree, threatening to shock the global economy and financial markets
Saudi Arabia
Saudi economy reports fastest growth in over a decade
The economy grew 9.6 percent in Q1 2022, the highest growth rate since 2011
LNG
Qatar reclaims spot as world’s number one LNG exporter
The US had previously overtaken the Gulf nation following a boom in shale gas exports
Investment
Kuwait looks to invest $750 million in Pakistan projects
The investment would be one of the largest into the country in recent years
counterfeit
Global counterfeit goods on the rise, market growing “exponentially,” says report
The market for counterfeit goods has increased dramatically over the last couple of decades
Arab Bank
Arab Bank Group reports $166 million in net profit for first quarter of 2022
The result is a 29.4 percent increase over the group’s Q1 2021 performance
Al Hosn
UAE Al Hosn green pass validity extended to 30 days for entering federal entities
The new rule came into effect on Friday, April 29, 2022
Mohamed bin Zayed
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Pakistan PM discuss advancing relations, cooperation
The two leaders exchanged greetings on the advent of the Eid al-Fitr holiday
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
New UAE AED5, AED10, AED50 banknotes enter circulation
The notes entered circulation after being distributed to all banks in the UAE
customs
Dubai Customs braces for Eid al-Fitr rush
The organisation will be deploying more inspectors and scanners to cope with high traffic
Dubai
Dubai extends Golden Visa to long-serving imams, preachers, muezzins
The news follows several announcements of a loosening in the UAE’s residency system
Brand View
Floward is the gold sponsor of Zayed Day for Humanitarian Work
As part of its social responsibility programme, Floward’s sponsorship included donating AED40,000 in clothes, food, and gifts to families in need and orphans
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ agrees to $2 billion deal with Egypt
The agreement will see the UAE fund buy state-held stakes in some companies, including CIB
ADGM
ADGM-based AI wealth manager FinaMaze announces launch of Metaverse Smartfolio
The Smartfolio will bundle stocks of companies that are leading the way in the creation of the metaverse
al rajhi
Saudi bank Al Rajhi sees shares surge after rollout of $4bn expansion plan
The Riyadh-based bank will offer 3 bonus shares for every 5 held
IPO
Saudi Arabia’s Nahdi Medical seeks primary healthcare expansion as IPO plans continue
Nahdi may start using its pharmacies across Saudi Arabia to start offering primary healthcare services
cepa
UAE ministers, senior officials reflect on significance of blockbuster UAE, India economic deal
The agreement reflects the long historical ties between the two countries, and is a reflection of the UAE’s vision of using trade to drive sustainable growth, ministers said
DIFC
DIFC reports best annual performance ever
The Middle East financial hub posted its best results ever as Dubai leads the global Covid-19 recovery
Dubai
UAE, Philippines pursue joint economic, trade agreement at Expo 2020 Dubai
The two countries signed a statement with plans to strengthen trade, enhance investment, and remove barriers to trade
al dawaa
Saudi pharma firm Al Dawaa seeks $500m from IPO
The initial public offering’s price range has been set at 65 riyals ($17.33) to 73 riyals
Public Investment Fund
Saudi Arabia transfers 4 percent of Aramco worth $80bn to Public Investment Fund
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said that the transfer is part of the kingdom’s long-term plan to restructure its economy in line with Vision 2030
climate change
Prince William highlights sustainability, climate change in whirlwind UAE visit
Prince William’s visit is the UK royal’s first to the UAE, and the prince’s first time abroad in two years
Ali Akawi
Bold start to the new year
At ITP Media Group, we finished 2021 strong, surprisingly enough even beating our performance pre-pandemic
covid-19
How to prepare for the next pandemic: Public-private sector collaboration crucial
Lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic can help drive global public-private sector collaborations to ‘future proof’ healthcare systems, an AstraZeneca VP said
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi-based Anghami rings bell on US NASDAQ in celebration of approval to list
Anghami is the first Arab technology company to be listed on the NASDAQ, and the first Arab company to list on the exchange in over 25 years
data centre
Saudi Telecom plans to spin of data centre, submarine cables into new firm
New company is expected to inject $453m as additional investment
Labour Law
New UAE labour law enters into effect
The new law represents sweeping changes to how the private sector operates