Coronavirus pandemic drags global M&A to lowest level since 2012

Little more than $1 trillion of deals have been announced this year, making for the slowest first half since 2012

facebook-lasso

Facebook to close its TikTok clone Lasso app this month

Facebook has reportedly decided to focus on Instagram’s Reels feature

Google Apple

Google paying billions to Apple to remain default search engine in Safari

Google reportedly pays approximately $1.5bn every year to Apple to remain as its default search engine in mobile Safari in the UK alone

Microsoft to upskill 25 million people worldwide amid virus recovery

The new global skills initiative includes immediate steps to help those looking to reskill and pursue an in-demand job, combining resources from LinkedIn, GitHub and Microsoft

The new Windows File Recovery tool will be a system command program that can recover various types of files and documents

Microsoft launches Windows tool to retrieve deleted documents

The tool can recover MP3 files, MP4 videos, PDFs, JPEGs, and various other office types too

netflix-mac

Netflix 4K support expected on Mac devices via Apple’s upcoming Big Sur update

Apple is expected to release the update this fall

89th Geneva International Motor Show Press Days

Geneva Motor Show 2021 cancelled, event to be sold

The foundation that runs the show said that it will sell the rights to the show to Palexpo SA, the exhibition center that hosts the event

Japan’s SMBC Nikko to open branches in Paris, Abu Dhabi

SMBC Nikko’s overseas operations earned $143m before taxes in the year ended March

Iran missile that downed Ukraine jet fired ‘without permission’

Iran has sent the aircraft’s black boxes to France for analysis after months of delay

microsoft

Microsoft permanently closes all but four retail stores worldwide

Microsoft’s digital storefronts reportedly reach more than 1.2 billion people every month

Pakistan Stock Exchange says building under attack by gunmen

The KSE 100 index, which dropped after news of the attack, gained 0.1 per cent at 11.40am in Karachi

Oil extends drop with virus milestones spurring demand angst

A surge in cases across the southern and western US is causing states to reinstate measures, threatening the outlook for oil demand

UK visa services resume in UAE, Saudi, among other GCC countries

Optional Priority visas, super priority visas, and walk-in services will not be offered initially

An epidemic of contaminated waste is following the coronavirus

Manila in the Philippines produced an additional 280 tons a day of medical trash, while Jakarta generated 212 tons

Oil falls again with virus resurgence casting doubt on demand

US gasoline futures tumbled the most in two months amid fears that lockdowns may need to be re-imposed

British Airways to resume London-Dubai flights on alternate days from July 17

Starting from August 1, the flights in both directions will operate daily

Mercedes-Benz Nvidia

Mercedes-Benz And Nvidia to collaborate on automated driving technology

Mercedes vehicles featuring the new technology are expected to debut in 2024

Dell G7 2020

Dell launches powerful midrange G7 gaming laptop

It will be available in two versions: 15- and 17-inches

JAPAN-AUTOMOBILE-NISSAN

Nissan Middle East reports 0.5% growth in domestic sales for FY 2019

It will introduce eight new models to the region over the next two years

Facebook-Gaming-App-Store

Apple refuses to host Facebook Gaming platform on iOS app store

Facebook has reportedly been attempting to launch its gaming platform on Apple’s app store since February

bmw-mercedes-auto

BMW And Mercedes end self-driving car partnership

The two carmakers had previously said that they intended to jointly develop a Level 4 self-driving car by 2024

Saudi coalition forces destroy 8 ‘bomb-laden’ drones, 3 missiles launched from Yemen

The attacks were targeting “civilians in the kingdom” officials said

mapillary facebook

Facebook acquires Google Street View-competitor Mapillary

Prior to Facebook’s acquisition, Amazon and a few other tech companies had also shown interest in Mapillary

UAE ranks 19th in FDI confidence index backed by strong investor sentiment

China, Brazil and the UAE were the only three emerging economies that ranked on the index

Twitter

Twitter introduces ‘tweeting with voice’ feature for iOS users

Each voice tweet captures up to 140 seconds of audio

UK-based Arena Group merges UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia divisions

The company said the move will allow for “maximum utilisation of resources” across the EMEA region

OPEC says virus to keep fuel demand under pressure this year

The slow resumption of flights will constrain jet-fuel consumption, and high unemployment will restrict gasoline use

Do regional corporate boardrooms have enough women representation?

More women in boardrooms and senior leadership roles can lead to better financial performance, enhanced client insights, and improved board effectiveness

Saudi oil exports to US plunge to lowest level in 35 years

The kingdom has exported just one cargo to the US so far in June, equivalent to about 133,000 barrels a day

Non-oil trade between UAE, Australia up 17.4% y-on-y in 2019

Aluminium, as well as fresh and chilled meat, topped the list of commodities imported by the UAE from Australia