Mubadala, affiliates disclose stakes in Virgin Galactic

The shares were bought for investment purposes

UAE Central Bank ramps up TESS scheme to support banking sector

The directive will encourage banks to strengthen the TESS scheme and support customers in overcoming the impact of the pandemic

UAE Hope Probe

UAE Hope Probe: To Mars and beyond

Along with the Hope Probe, the UAE’s space ambitions and its endeavours towards a knowledge-based economy have also taken flight

What is the current state of the UAE’s startup ecosystem?

Despite the Covid-19 crisis, here’s why this is a good time to start a business in the UAE, opines Mana Al Suwaidi, executive chairman, Startegi Advisors

How GCC countries can ensure their food security

Over the longer term, governments need to build up local food supplies, reinforce supply chains, and increase the flow of imports

INDIA-AVIATION-ACCIDENT-PLANE

Air India Express flight from Dubai breaks apart after skidding off runway at Kerala airport

There were 190 people onboard the Boeing 737 aircraft

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad registers 58% dip in passenger numbers for H1 2020

The carrier’s core operating loss increased by $172m to $758m in the first half of the year

Canon suffers ransomware attack, hackers threaten data dump if not paid

Canon’s email, Microsoft Teams, US website, and other internal applications are affected

E-commerce revenues jump 71% in Q2 amid Covid-19 – report

Salesforce Q2 Shopping Index says conversion rate grew by 35 per cent in Q2 from last year

Samsung unveils five new Galaxy devices at virtual launch event

The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra lead a strong lineup for Samsung second-half launch event

sabic

Saudi chemical maker SABIC expects recovery following loss

SABIC generated second-quarter sales of SAR24.62bn, down 29 per cent from the previous year

The way forward for startups in the MENA region

The regional ecosystem must facilitate aspirants and startups to encourage entrepreneurship

Gonzalo Usandisaza

An eye on the future: Micro Focus’ Gonzalo Usandizaga on upcoming tech trends

As individuals and businesses adjust to the new normal, Gonzalo Usandizaga – vice president and general manager, Emerging and Growth Markets at Micro Focus, sheds light on the trends that are here to stay

Samsung launches new Galaxy Note20 devices, UAE prices revealed

Prices start at Dhs3,549 for the non-5G Galaxy Note20

Dubai’s Emirates to resume flights to Toronto from August 16

Customers can fly the Emirates A380 from Dubai to Toronto five times a week

Emirates Skywards introduces over 1,500 additional ways to earn Miles

For every GBP1 spent, members can earn up to 15 Miles; and for every $1 spent, members can earn up to 12 Miles

UAE’s RAKBANK reports 44.7% dip in net profit for H1 2020

The bank’s total income for H1 2020 declined by 4.5 per cent compared to H1 2019

UAE plots new stimulus measures to bolster economy

The UAE’s central bank had provided more than $70bn of stimulus by March to aid businesses

Google to wind down its Play Music service by December

Google to focus on YouTube Music streaming service after failing to gain traction with Play Music

phil-schiller-apple

Apple appoints Greg Joswiak as new marketing head

Joswiak replaces Phil Schiller who will step down from his position as vice president of global marketing and lead only the App Store and Apple events

Dubai’s DAE reports 38% drop in net income for H1 2020

It reported an income of $121.7m in H1 2020, down from $197.1m in the corresponding period last year

Microsoft targets zero-waste operations by 2030

Microsoft aims to eliminate single-use plastics from its packaging by 2025

Microsoft to launch cloud mobile gaming service in September, to cost $15

Microsoft xCloud available in select markets from 15 September on Android

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 254 cases, two deaths

The death toll in the UAE stands at 353

Students in Dubai can opt for distance learning for first term – KHDA

Last month, KHDA issued a list of 100-plus protocols for the re-opening of private schools across the emirate in September this year

AI everything

Dubai issues guidelines to restart exhibitions, live events and concerts

Measures to be followed include social distancing and limited capacity

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi ports’ non-oil foreign trade valued Dhs66.5bn for first four months of 2020

Re-exports fell 24.6 per cent year-on-year to Dhs13bn and non-oil exports by 8.5 per cent to Dhs18.3bn

Gold barrels past $2,000 with stage set for prices to rally more

Bullion is up more than 30 per cent this year, and could extend gains as governments and central banks respond to slowing growth with vast amounts of stimulus

Jobless recovery from virus takes shape for top 3 Arab economies

Employment continued to fall in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt despite a stronger pickup in non-oil private sector activity in July

DAFZA

Exports from Dubai’s DAFZA up 54% in Q1 2020

China accounted for the highest percentage of DAFZA’s trade, with 21 per cent valued at Dhs7.7bn