By Nitya Chakraborty Soon after organizing a 90 day truce last week end at Geneva through three day intensive talks between top officials of the United States and China, President Donald Trump is on a three nation tour covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE to pursue his deal making focusing on both trade and security. […]
The United States is deliberating a significant agreement that would permit the United Arab Emirates to acquire over one million advanced Nvidia AI chips, a move that could reshape the technological landscape in the Gulf region. The proposed arrangement, still under negotiation, would allow the UAE to import 500,000 of Nvidia’s most sophisticated chips annually through 2027. Approximately 20% of these chips are earmarked for G42, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence firm, while the remainder would support U.S. companies establishing data centers within the UAE.
This potential deal marks a notable shift from the stringent export controls implemented during the Biden administration, which aimed to limit the proliferation of advanced AI technologies to certain regions. The Trump administration’s consideration of this agreement aligns with its broader strategy to bolster alliances and counterbalance China’s growing technological influence.
G42 has been at the forefront of the UAE’s AI ambitions, developing a bilingual Arabic-English large language model named Jais and collaborating with global tech giants to enhance its capabilities. The firm’s efforts to sever ties with Chinese entities and comply with U.S. regulations have been pivotal in facilitating this prospective deal.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s introduction of the Validated End User program has further streamlined the export process for advanced technologies to trusted partners. Under this program, foreign data centers that meet rigorous security and compliance standards can receive AI chips without the need for individual export licenses. This initiative aims to safeguard national security while promoting international technological collaboration.
Nvidia’s advanced chips, particularly the H100 and the newer GB300 Blackwell models, are integral to the development of cutting-edge AI applications. The company’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s AI startup, Humain, to deliver 18,000 AI chips underscores the region’s commitment to becoming a global AI hub. These chips are set to power a 500-megawatt data center in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the Gulf’s substantial investments in AI infrastructure.
The UAE’s strategic partnerships extend beyond Nvidia. A notable collaboration between Microsoft and G42 has received U.S. approval, allowing the export of advanced AI chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the UAE. This partnership is part of a broader U.S. effort to counter China’s Digital Silk Road initiative by strengthening technological ties with Gulf nations.
Despite these advancements, concerns persist regarding the potential for U.S. technologies to be accessed by adversarial nations. The U.S. government has imposed strict conditions on these deals, including prohibitions on the use of exported chips for model training by individuals from countries under U.S. arms embargoes, such as China. Regular audits and compliance checks are mandated to ensure adherence to these restrictions.
The UAE’s pursuit of AI sovereignty is evident in its initiatives to develop indigenous AI capabilities and infrastructure. Core42, a subsidiary of G42, has established a “regulated technology environment” to deploy Nvidia’s H100 Tensor chips securely within the country. This setup ensures that sensitive technologies are handled under strict guidelines, aligning with the UAE’s objectives to safeguard data and maintain control over its AI systems.
U.S. consumer prices climbed 2.3% year-on-year in April, marking the lowest inflation rate since February 2021 and falling short of the 2.4% forecast. On a monthly basis, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.2%, also below the anticipated 0.3%. This deceleration occurred despite the introduction of sweeping tariffs by the Trump administration earlier in the month. The inflation data, released by the Labor Department, suggests that the immediate […]
Visa-free travel arrangement and 35 bilateral accords signed HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2025 – Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s Chief Executive John Lee is leading a delegation of over 50 business leaders from Hong Kong and Mainland China to Qatar and Kuwait to forge closer connections and promote the city’s advantages to the Middle East. This historic visit marks the […]
By Sushil Kutty The western Press is egging United States President Donald Trump to press India for third-party mediation in the Kashmir imbroglio roiling India-Pakistan relations, while at the same time asserting that Trump has put India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a “tight spot”. Prime Minister Modi wasn’t asked for his opinion […]Oil prices surged over $2 per barrel in Asian trading on Monday, buoyed by a significant easing of trade tensions between the United States and China. Brent crude futures climbed $2.11, or 3.3%, to $64.14 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose $2.12, or 3.47%, to $63.14. The rally followed a joint announcement from Washington and Beijing declaring a 90-day suspension of additional tariffs, […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2025 – 0xmd, a global startup specializing in Generative Artificial Intelligence for healthcare, has entered into a strategic partnership with SENAI CIMATEC, one of Brazil’s leading technology and innovation institutions. This agreement marks the beginning of 0xmd’s operations in Brazil, expanding the company’s presence in the Latin American market. The collaboration will see 0xmd bring its cutting-edge […]
Matein Khalid The smoke signals from Geneva came even faster than the one in the Vatican that announced the arrival of Pope Leo XIV on the world stage. If the US-China trade marathon was a Bollywood movie, Scott Bessant would be dancing wet and wild with the Chinese Vice Premier Lifeng in their Jet d’Eau or kowtowing on those little abraas that criss-cross the Rhône river since […]
The United States and China have agreed to a significant reduction in tariffs, marking a notable de-escalation in their ongoing trade conflict. Effective immediately, the US will lower tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China will reduce its tariffs on US goods from 125% to 10%. This mutual agreement, set to last for 90 days, follows high-level negotiations held in Geneva. The trade dispute […]
Lotus Technology Inc., the luxury electric vehicle arm of the iconic British marque, reported a 70% surge in global vehicle deliveries in 2024, reaching 12,065 units. However, this growth has been overshadowed by a net loss of $667 million for the first nine months of the year, driven by escalating operational costs and the impact of US tariffs on imported vehicles. Despite the impressive delivery figures, the […]
Matein Khalid I spent a wonderful afternoon with an old friend, a Persian prince in his cousin’s Jumeirah villa to heal from the trauma of multiple Hindutva chicken hawks keyboard warriors berating me for pointing out the fact that Dassault Aviation shares have fallen 3% in Paris while the Chinese J-10CE fighter jet (Vigorous Dragon) soared 20% in Shenzhen. Only a moron with a Stone Age IQ […]
As the first of its kind in Hong Kong and Macau, the record-breaking fleet of legendary limousines was officially launched at the Galaxy Macau Forecourt, with all nine vehicles on magnificent display. MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 May 2025 – In keeping with its commitment to providing ultra-luxurious comfort with unparalleled experiences, Galaxy Macau™, the award-winning integrated resort, last week unveiled nine “Galaxy Collection […]
By Nitya Chakraborty The joint declaration issued by the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chinese President Xi Jinping on the eve of the Victory Day on May 9 upholding longstanding friendship to pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes in the new era carries major significance in the present period of global tariff war as […]
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 May 2025 – FLock.io, a private AI training platform, closed a strategic funding round led by DCG in December 2024 and launched FL Alliance, a solution enabling decentralized AI model training. FL Alliance transforms everyday devices into training nodes, allowing users to create personalized LLMs, earn token rewards, and maintain complete data privacy. AI adoption in healthcare, fintech, […]
By Nitya Chakraborty More than forty hours have passed since the missile strikes by Indian military on the nine terror camp sites in Pakistan. The situation in both New Delhi and Islamabad is witnessing the same type of preparations indicating that Pakistan is getting ready for another military confrontation with India after the Kargil war […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 May 2025 – On May 3, at the “China Lawyers Going Global – Hong Kong Session” held at the University of Hong Kong, GE Jun, Chairman and CEO of TOJOY Smart Enterprises Services, delivered an insightful lecture titled “Compliance Management and Globalized Operations for Enterprises Going Overseas.” The lecture offered a valuable learning opportunity for Chinese lawyers and […]
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 May 2025 – Confessions, a psychological suspense series written and directed by Wong Ching-Po and starring Ethan Juan, Gingle Wang, Alyssa Chia, Yi-Wen Chen, and Vivian Sung, officially wrapped filming on May 3. Hosted by Bowie Tsang, the press conference gathered the full cast and creative team. The set, featuring tree root installations and a Mondrian-inspired carpet, was meticulously […]
By Nitya Chakraborty It is now official. After waiting for a few days since Donald Trump diluted the U.S. tariff rates for China and announced his intention for talks, China confirmed on Wednesday morning that a high level Chinese negotiating team will be visiting Switzerland for four days beginning May 9 to hold talks with […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 May 2025 – Bee Choo Origin, Singapore’s leading herbal hair care brand that specialises in hair fall treatment and oily scalp treatment, has reaffirmed its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) with the donation of an electric passenger van to The National Kidney Foundation (NKF). This marks a significant step in enhancing patient mobility while promoting sustainable transport solutions. Bee […]
Capital A Berhad, the parent company of budget airline AirAsia, is preparing for a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to raise at least $200 million. This move is part of a broader strategy to access deeper pools of capital in Greater China and to support the company’s ongoing financial restructuring.
The proposed listing follows a series of significant financial maneuvers by Capital A, including a $226 million private placement completed in March 2025. This placement featured a $100 million investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, with additional contributions from investors in Singapore and Japan. These funds are intended to bolster the company’s capital base and facilitate its exit from Malaysia’s financially distressed PN17 classification.
Capital A has also secured a $443 million revenue bond, with $200 million provided by Ares Management Corp and Indies Capital Partners. This financing is earmarked for reactivating aircraft grounded during the pandemic and refinancing existing lease liabilities, thereby strengthening the company’s balance sheet.
The company is undergoing a significant restructuring, including the sale of its aviation business to long-haul affiliate AirAsia X. This consolidation aims to unify short and long-haul operations under a single AirAsia brand, streamlining operations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. The merger is expected to create a new listed entity valued at approximately $1.42 billion.
Capital A’s financial performance has shown signs of recovery, with a net profit of RM2.01 billion reported in the third quarter of 2024, partly due to foreign exchange gains. The company anticipates a return to profitability in 2025, following a loss of $106.5 million in 2024 attributed to one-off forex losses.
The Hong Kong listing is seen as a strategic move to tap into the region’s revitalized equity markets and attract mainland Chinese investors. Capital A is reportedly close to appointing an international investment bank to advise on the listing structure and process, pending internal reviews and regulatory approvals.
CEO Tony Fernandes has emphasized that the company’s financial uncertainties are linked to pending milestones rather than underlying business strength. He remains confident in completing the regularization and restructuring efforts by June 2025.
As part of its commitment to transparency, Capital A has announced plans to publish internal business targets alongside quarterly results. This initiative aims to provide investors with a clearer picture of the company’s financial outlook and progress toward its strategic goals.
The company’s efforts to exit PN17 status are progressing, with shareholder approval secured for the aviation business disposal and a vote scheduled for May 7 to revoke its distressed classification. Capital A also plans to retain an 18% stake in the resulting AirAsia airline group, focusing on its non-aviation businesses, including logistics firm Teleport and aircraft maintenance company Asia Digital Engineering.
Dubai’s longstanding reputation as a haven for counterfeit luxury goods is under increasing scrutiny as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle the grey market. Popular shopping districts such as Karama Market, Dragon Mart, and Naif Souk have historically attracted bargain hunters seeking replicas of high-end brands at a fraction of the cost. However, a series of raids, fines, and public awareness campaigns have significantly curtailed the open sale […]
The Middle East and North Africa region is poised to experience indirect economic repercussions from the intensifying trade conflict between the United States and China, primarily through diminished global growth prospects and declining energy prices, rather than direct trade disruptions. Moody’s Investors Service has highlighted that the exclusion of oil and gas from the latest US tariff measures mitigates immediate direct impacts on MENA economies. However, the […]
World’s Most MICHELIN-Starred Gastronomic Icon returns to a stunning new space in LANDMARK ATRIUM HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 May 2025 – LANDMARK is delighted to announce the highly anticipated return of gastronomic legend L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON HONG KONG as the cornerstone of its refined Central dining portfolio this summer. The iconic restaurant has been located at LANDMARK for 18 years and […]
According to infromation obtained from darknet and deepweb forums, Dmytro Momot, better known in cybersecurity circles under the alias Vektor T13, has left Amsterdam and relocated to Dubai, where he is reportedly residing in one of the apartments in the Burj Khalifa. The reasons behind this sudden change of location remain unclear. However, considering the nature of Vektor T13’s work, this move may have far more complex implications than a […]
