Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,549 cases, 7 deaths

The nationwide case count has now risen to 673,185

UAE: Flights from India, Pakistan suspended until August 2 – Etihad

The airline issued the directive in response to customer queries on Twitter

Financial services

Financial services organisations at forefront of global digital transformation push

F5’s 7th SOAS report sheds new light on sector’s progress and ambitions

Dubai’s RTA implements new AI projects to improve bus services

The new measures have helped accelerate recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic

Snapchat

Snapchat introduces 3D Bitmoji to enhance digital avatars

The new profiles also will showcase an expanded Snapcode menu for easy profile access

UAE consumers

UAE consumers claim brands have one shot to impress them

Ninety-one per cent of UAE consumers say their expectations of digital services have increased since the start of 2020

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed forms new board of Abu Dhabi’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The board will represent vital sectors and companies of all sizes across the emirate

Kath Kerry GCI Health

Four trends that will shape the future of healthcare in the Middle East

Regional healthcare infrastructure investments in the GCC are expected to reach $89bn by 2022

Crossborder alliances: What does the future hold for the regional cleantech sector

Asher Fredman, CEO of Gulf-Israel Green Ventures, discusses all thing sustainable with Gulf Business in the aftermath of the Abraham Accords

Abu Dhabi Hub71

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 to endorse tech entrepreneurs for golden residency visas

Recipients of the five-year visas can also sponsor their families and up to three executive directors

Bitcoin surges amid short covering, speculation over Amazon plan

Bitcoin remains some $27,000 off its mid-April high of almost $65,000

Dubai real estate

Dubai records Dhs14.79bn in real estate sales for June 2021

It was the highest value of sales in eight years, according to Mo’asher, Dubai’s official sales price index

Oil declines with demand outlook clouded by spreading delta

Futures in New York traded below $72 a barrel after adding 0.4 per cent last week

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi slashes private sector business setup fees by over 90%

Business setup and licence renewal fees have been reduced to Dhs1,000

Sophos

Sophos acquires Braintrace to strengthen its adaptive cybersecurity ecosystem

Third Party event data from firewalls, proxies, VPNs, and other sources will be collected and forwarded using Braintrace’s technology

Fenix

Fenix launches 10-minute grocery delivery service in Abu Dhabi

Initially the service is available in Reem Island with free delivery and no minimum order

Cover story: Mastercard’s regional head on developing a financially equitable future

In this exclusive interview, Raghu Malhotra, president of Mastercard Middle East and Africa speaks of the importance of financial inclusion, of leveraging key technologies and offers advice to leaders on handling a crisis

GCC’s energy space: What does the future hold?

Stakeholders across local and regional countries are keen to pursue sustainable fuels

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

DEWA commissions 3 new substations in Dubai at an investment of Dhs430m

The substations supply Al Barsha 1, Mirdif, and Wadi Al Safa 2

Iraq agrees to sign deal with Total to execute energy projects

Total, after signing the deal, will also build a 1,000 megawatt solar power plant

Ban on flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka extended – Emirates

Flights from the four nations will remain suspended until July 28

How is the GCC’s energy transition faring

In the GCC, hydrocarbons have traditionally been the driving force for the economies

How businesses should implement employee engagement programmes to boost well-being

Physical and mental well-being has declined for many since the onset of the global pandemic

Bitcoin

Bitcoin hovers around $32,000 after boost from Musk

Musk said Bitcoin mining is “shifting towards renewable energy” and his company will likely resume accepting it as payment for electric cars

NMC-Healthcare

EY accused of actively concealing NMC Health audit fraud from investors

BR Shetty filed a suit in New York last week, naming Ernst & Young as a co-conspirator in the fraud alongside former executives

Miami Dubai Emirates

Emirates commences inaugural Dubai-Miami passenger service

Emirates flight EK213 departed at 3.10am from Dubai on Thursday morning

Saudi Aramco

Saudi Aramco confirms data leak after reported cyber ransom

The state-owned driller was reportedly offered the chance to have the data deleted for $50m in cryptocurrency

Live Site Viewing of the 2032 Olympic Games Host City Announcement Brisbane

Brisbane is selected as host of the 2032 Summer Olympics

The International Olympic Committee approved Brisbane’s bid in a 72-5 vote

Oil

Oil renews decline as US inventories expand, delta spreads

The American Petroleum Institute was said to report an 806,000 barrel gain in US crude inventories

Jeff Bezos pull off Blue Origin’s first spaceflight with people

The mission caps a landmark month for space-tourism ventures