Schengen visa application

EU inches closer to digitalise Schengen visa procedure

The proposal aims to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve the security of the Schengen area

Sunset Hospitality

Dubai’s Sunset Hospitality Group announces new Bali openings

The group plans to expand its global footprint with the launch of 20 new venues by the end of this year

Netflix

Netflix tests idea of expanding gaming service to televisions

Code hidden within Netflix’s app includes references to games played on TVs, signalling that such a plan is in motion

Cybersecurity

These are the top 8 cybersecurity predictions for 2023-2024

Human-centric security design is modelled with the individual — not technology, threat or location

Berbera Port

DP World expands offering at Berbera Port with new edible oil terminal

The initial phase of the terminal is fully leased to Mzahim Investment, a subsidiary of Essa Al Ghurair Investments of the UAE

US

Oil steadies after mixed US stockpile report signals weak demand

West Texas Intermediate traded near $73 a barrel after closing 0.3 per cent lower on Wednesday

QatarEnergyssigns two offshore explorations deals in Canada

QatarEnergy acquires stakes in two Exxon oil and gas projects in Canada

The company first entered offshore exploration in Canada in 2021 with a 40 per cent stake in ExxonMobil’s licence for EL 1165A

Middle East

Middle East airports to handle 1.1 billion passengers by 2040

Airports in the Middle East will need to invest around $151bn in capacity expansion

Bahrain GDP 2022 growth. Image by EDB

Bahrain’s economy expands by 4.9% in 2022, the fastest in a decade

The country’s non-oil sector grew by 6.2 per cent in 2022, the highest growth rate recorded over the past ten years

Pay later

Does Apple’s pay later service require iOS 16.4?

Apple Pay Later will divide purchases into four payments, spread over six weeks, with no interest or fees

MENA e-commerce trends GettyImages-157027870

Total e-commerce market value in MENA region to surpass $57bn by 2026

The MENA region’s total e-commerce market size reached $37bn in 2022, with a double-digit growth rate from 2021

Apple iOS 16.4

Apple rolls out iOS 16.4: Should you upgrade your iPhone?

The new features of iOS 16.4 include web push notifications, voice isolation for cellular calls, new emojis, badge count and more

bots

How organisations can optimise bots for best performance

Building better bots necessitates more than simply training a language model and then deploying it in a channel

Opec+

OPEC+ shows no sign of changing oil output at meeting next week

Saudi Arabia has said publicly that the 23-nation alliance should keep supplies steady for the whole of 2023

UAE cabinet meeting March 2023 photo courtesy WAM

UAE approves 24 national initiatives, aims to double re-exports in 7 years

Additionally, the UAE cabinet meeting reviewed more than 19 initiatives to attract talent to the country

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

UAE, Costa Rica to launch free trade talks

The CEPA programme was launched in September 2021 to expand UAE’s trade and investment partnership with several strategic global markets

11-year-old Dubai-based coder

Dubai-based 11-year-old girl develops app that detects eye diseases

The 11-year-old girl’s mobile app can analyse various parameters such as light and colour intensity to locate the eyes within the frame range

Borouge building material

Borouge supplies materials worth $26.5m to mega projects in MEA

The company’s materials contribute to reducing carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing process of the pipes and their operational lifespan

VPorts

VPorts inks deals to boost development of Dubai’s Air Mobility Centre

Electra.aero, Falcon Aviation and SkyDrive have joined the centre to be part of VPorts’ strategy to deploy innovation in the region

bp and adnoc to form JV media centre

BP, ADNOC bid for interest in NewMed Energy

The two entities intend to form a new joint venture that will focus on gas development in international areas of mutual interest

Sony WH-1000XM5

Hands-on review: Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones

The device is the latest iteration of Sony’s 1000X series, which is known for its active noise-cancelling technology

Rosewood Amaala. (Image: Supplied by Red Sea Global)

Rosewood confirms opening in Saudi’s Amaala

It is being designed by architecture firm, ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Nammos Hotels and Resorts. (Image: Sourced from PR Newswire)

Nammos Hotels and Resorts launched in joint venture with UAE’s Alpha Dhabi

Nammos has confirmed that its first hotel opening will take place as soon as this summer on the Psarou beach in Mykonos

Central bank projection for GDP growth in 2024 GettyImages-1432592872-e1670484896463

UAE central bank projects GDP growth rising to 4.3% in 2024

In 2023, inflation is projected to decelerate to 3.2 per cent, on the back of softer price increases in all categories

UAE_israel sign customs agreement and activate CEPA photo courtesy WAM

UAE, Israel ink customs agreement to boost trade ties, activate CEPA

The UAE-Israel Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in May last year

Aramco Rongsheng deal

Saudi Aramco bolsters China investments with $3.6bn refinery deal

The state-owned oil major said the deal includes the supply of 480,000 bpd of crude oil to Rongsheng refinery for 20 years

United Airlines (Image: Supplied by United Airlines)

United resumes services to Dubai with daily flight from New York

United is the only US airline to offer nonstop flights between Dubai and the US

Bitcoin

Bitcoin to extend its 70% surge this year if key charts are right

Bitcoin’s revival has helped the digital-asset market add about $390bn in value in 2023 after a $1.5tn rout last year

talabat UAE

Women in tech: Tatiana Rahal, managing director at talabat UAE

Women should appreciate their own value and emulate that belief in everything they feel, think, do or say