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West African businesses and digital service providers are reaping the benefits of remote peering, which is rapidly transforming the region’s internet connectivity landscape. As the continent’s digital economy expands, the demand for fast, reliable, and affordable access to online services is driving the adoption of innovative solutions. At the heart of this transformation is TelCables Nigeria, a key player in West Africa’s digital infrastructure. A subsidiary of […]

Data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf reveals a notable decline in the Gulf Cooperation Council’s national income for 2023. The value of gross national income for the GCC region stood at US$2.143 trillion, down 2.7% from the previous year’s figure of US$2.202 trillion. This reduction marks a significant shift in the economic landscape of the Gulf nations.

In 2023, the disposable national income, which measures the income available for consumption and savings after taxes and transfers, also saw a downturn, reaching US$1.989 trillion, compared to US$2.515 trillion in 2022. This represents a 3% decrease in the financial resources available for the region’s residents and businesses.

The GCC’s national income data reflects broader economic trends and shifts in the region’s economic structure, with particular attention given to the changes in the oil and non-oil sectors. While the non-oil sector has grown in importance, the oil sector remains a substantial contributor to the region’s total income. By the close of 2023, the non-oil sector’s value added to the economy amounted to US$513 billion, while the oil sector still held a dominant position with a contribution of US$603.5 billion. Despite the oil sector’s continued strength, the overall decline in GNI suggests that broader economic challenges are at play.

The sharp contrast in performance between the oil and non-oil sectors could be attributed to various factors, including fluctuations in global oil prices and shifting demand for the region’s primary energy exports. While the oil industry continues to be a critical economic driver, the Gulf countries have increasingly turned to diversification efforts, investing heavily in areas such as finance, technology, and tourism to reduce reliance on oil.

The results also reflect global economic pressures, particularly the ongoing impacts of inflation, geopolitical instability, and supply chain disruptions. These external factors have influenced both domestic consumption patterns and investment flows within the region. The 2023 decline in disposable national income indicates that households and businesses in the GCC are experiencing reduced financial flexibility, possibly affecting consumption and investment decisions moving forward.

Despite these challenges, the GCC economies have shown resilience in their attempts to navigate shifting global economic conditions. Several countries within the group, notably Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have implemented ambitious plans for economic diversification under initiatives like Vision 2030. These efforts aim to transform their economies by reducing dependency on oil, focusing instead on sectors such as renewable energy, digital innovation, and high-tech industries.

The non-oil sector’s performance is a critical metric of success for these diversification strategies. In 2023, the growth of this sector, while still overshadowed by oil, highlights the ongoing transformation of the region’s economic framework. The expansion of industries such as construction, manufacturing, and services contributes to this shift, providing the region with a more balanced economic profile, though the full impact of these changes will take time to fully materialise.

Samsung has commenced local production of laptops in India, marking a significant shift in its manufacturing strategy. The move follows growing trends in the global tech industry, where companies are increasingly decentralising their manufacturing to cater to regional markets and mitigate supply chain risks. The tech giant’s decision to set up its laptop assembly line in India comes as part of a broader push to diversify its production capabilities and tap into the country’s emerging manufacturing ecosystem.

The new facility, which is located in Noida, is expected to meet rising demand for Samsung laptops in India and other parts of Asia. The plant will focus on assembling a range of models, from entry-level to premium devices, with an emphasis on enhancing the supply of high-performance laptops. By doing so, Samsung aims to capitalise on the Indian government’s incentive schemes aimed at boosting local manufacturing and creating jobs in the sector.

India has become an increasingly attractive destination for global manufacturers due to its robust infrastructure, competitive labour costs, and a growing pool of skilled engineers and technicians. Samsung’s decision to invest in local laptop production highlights the country’s status as a strategic hub for tech companies looking to scale operations. The move also aligns with the Indian government’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing leader under the “Make in India” initiative, which encourages foreign companies to establish production bases in the country.

The South Korean company has been investing heavily in India over the past few years, with a significant focus on expanding its footprint in consumer electronics, particularly smartphones. The expansion of laptop production further strengthens its position in the Indian market, where the demand for personal computing devices has been steadily increasing. India, with its young population and rapid digitalisation, presents a lucrative market for tech companies. By establishing local manufacturing units, Samsung can not only meet this demand more effectively but also potentially lower the cost of its devices by reducing import duties and other logistical expenses.

Samsung’s Noida plant will be equipped with advanced manufacturing technology, allowing the company to ensure that its laptops meet international quality standards. The facility is expected to produce several million units annually, with an eye on both the domestic and export markets. This localisation strategy is expected to significantly cut down on shipping costs and delivery times, giving Samsung a competitive edge over other international brands that continue to import their devices into the country.

The move comes at a time when India is becoming increasingly attractive to global technology firms. Companies like Apple, Dell, and HP have already ramped up their manufacturing presence in India in recent years. India’s well-established electronics sector, supported by the government’s push to improve infrastructure and streamline regulatory processes, has led to a surge in foreign direct investment in the country’s tech manufacturing ecosystem.

Samsung’s expansion into laptop production also reflects the growing importance of India in the global supply chain. The country’s status as a low-cost production base, combined with its large consumer market, makes it an attractive location for companies looking to avoid the risks associated with heavy dependence on single countries, such as China. By shifting some of its manufacturing operations to India, Samsung can reduce its exposure to potential disruptions in China, which has long been the dominant player in global electronics manufacturing.

This shift is also likely to have broader implications for the Indian tech industry. With global giants like Samsung setting up local production lines, it is expected that the country will see an increase in the number of skilled jobs in the tech sector. Additionally, the growing demand for locally manufactured devices may spur innovation in the country’s tech ecosystem, encouraging the development of homegrown talent and technologies. This would not only strengthen India’s position as a manufacturing hub but also lay the foundation for the growth of its own tech startups.

Greenlogue/AP Oman Data Park has formed a strategic alliance with Solar Wadi to establish the Sultanate’s inaugural green energy data centre, powered by solar generation. The collaboration marks a significant step in aligning ODP’s technological infrastructure with Oman’s net-zero ambitions, as the data centre is set to harness sustainable energy to lower operational emissions and improve grid resilience. ODP, long regarded as the nation’s leading provider of […]

The United Arab Emirates’s cloud-seeding programme continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing water resources, generating between 168 million and 838 million cubic metres of extra rainfall annually, of which 84 million to 419 million cubic metres is usable water—significant volumes in a country where the total annual rainfall stands at approximately 6.7 billion cubic metres.

Efforts are particularly intensive in 2025, with 185 cloud-seeding missions already carried out to date, including 39 operations in July alone. These missions, executed using advanced tools such as hygroscopic flares, nanomaterials and electric-charge emitters, aim to raise rainfall by 10 to 25 per cent under favourable conditions.

The programme is backed by a technologically advanced infrastructure. The UAE employs a fleet of four dedicated aircraft, 12 trained pilots, and utilises more than 60 weather stations, an integrated radar network, and the Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory, which produces high-quality seeding flares. With over 900 flight hours each year, the initiative represents a significant operational commitment.

New investments have further enhanced the programme’s precision and effectiveness. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools enables real-time analysis of meteorological data, optimising cloud-seeding timing and target areas. Additionally, nano-enhanced flares, with superior rain-inducing capabilities, are being developed and deployed.

Scientific assessment supports the programme’s efficacy. A statistical study comparing historical rainfall data found that cloud seeding has contributed to a 22.8 per cent average increase in annual surface rainfall over seeded zones between 2010 and 2019. Other estimates suggest enhancements of up to 30–35 per cent in clear atmospheres and 10–15 per cent in more humid environments.

On the cost front, cloud seeding remains economical. Harvestable water produced through cloud seeding costs just $0.01 to $0.04 per cubic metre, compared with approximately $0.31 per cubic metre from advanced desalination plants. This makes rain enhancement a compelling supplementary strategy in the face of rising demand and declining groundwater levels.

While cloud seeding bolsters water availability, it does not function in isolation. Broad concerns remain regarding drainage infrastructure, which has demonstrated limitations during extreme rainfall events. For instance, heavy storms in April 2024 overwhelmed urban systems—while some speculated about cloud-seeding’s role, authorities and experts concluded that infrastructure constraints and climate-change-driven weather intensity were the primary causes.

Nevertheless, those involved in the research highlight the programme’s strategic importance. Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAEREP, emphasises its growing global recognition and potential applicability in other water-scarce regions. The programme—which is administered under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and backed by the National Centre of Meteorology—continues to drive innovation in rain enhancement science.

Oracle’s aggressive expansion in AI and cloud services has set the stage for a major shift in the tech industry, with analysts predicting the company could achieve a $1 trillion market valuation by 2030. As one of the largest tech giants globally, Oracle’s growth trajectory is bolstered by significant revenue gains and strategic partnerships, positioning it to challenge established players like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. […]

Lumen Technologies has surpassed a significant milestone by crossing the 1,000-customer mark on its expanding Network-as-a-Service platform. This achievement underscores the growing demand for flexible, scalable enterprise connectivity solutions as businesses accelerate their digital transformations. NaaS, which enables organisations to streamline and scale their network infrastructure without the need for heavy investments in hardware, has become an essential offering in today’s fast-evolving technology landscape. The milestone reflects […]

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Peloton Interactive Inc. is gearing up to launch its most significant product upgrades in years, with plans to boost sales by introducing new hardware, fresh accessories, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence features. These moves come as the company strives to reassert itself in the competitive fitness market and rebuild consumer confidence after a series of financial setbacks and slowing growth. The company is set to unveil a revamped […]

SonicWall’s latest release features built-in Zero Trust, embedded warranty, and co-managed services empowering partners to deliver scalable, smart security with simplicity and confidence SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 August 2025 – SonicWall today introduced nine new firewalls as part of its Generation 8 portfolio, taking a pivotal step in delivering a cybersecurity platform purpose-built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), and […]

Additional funding allows Agridence to better deliver its traceability modules and ESG solutions across agri-commodity sectors globally. SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2025 – Agridence Pte. Ltd. (“Agridence”), a Singapore-based technology leader in digital agri-commodity supply chains, today announced a funding round led by Cercano Management and supported by returning strategic investors EXEO Innovation Fund and Provident. This will empower Agridence to rapidly scale […]

Atlassian has forged a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to enhance cloud adoption across its client base and integrate advanced artificial intelligence features into its collaboration platforms. This multi-year agreement is designed to combine the strengths of both companies, enabling businesses to leverage cutting-edge technology to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and innovation. The partnership aims to expand Atlassian’s suite of tools, such as Jira, Confluence, and Trello, […]

India’s diplomatic ties with the United States have been significantly shaped by the evolving political landscape under former President Donald Trump. According to a US academic, India has paid a steep price due to Trump’s pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize, which may have undermined its broader geopolitical interests. The scholar argues that Trump’s overtures to India during his tenure were often overshadowed by his personal ambitions […]

Information technology expenditure across the Middle East and North Africa region is poised to climb to $169 billion by 2026, reflecting a notable 8.9 percent growth from 2025, according to projections from Gartner. The surge in IT spending underscores a region-wide shift towards digital transformation, fuelled by the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, and AI-optimised infrastructure enhancements. This rise in spending is taking place against […]

AI integration in office software has become a pivotal development for enhancing productivity and efficiency across businesses worldwide. Leading the charge in this transformation is ONLYOFFICE, a popular document editing platform, which has recently integrated an AI agent designed to streamline writing, editing, and collaborative work processes. This tool promises to revolutionise the way employees and teams operate, offering speedier workflows and a more intuitive user experience. […]

Amazon Web Services has launched the Amazon Elastic VMware Service, marking a significant step in its cloud offerings. This new service allows businesses to seamlessly run and scale VMware-based workloads on AWS infrastructure. By integrating VMware environments with AWS, organisations can leverage the cloud without needing to replatform or refactor their existing workloads. This innovation is aimed at simplifying cloud migration and operations for businesses relying on […]

Tensions over the future of Gaza escalated this week as China strongly condemned Israel’s proposals to expand control over the region. The Chinese government has called on Israel to abandon its plans, asserting that Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian territory. This intervention comes amid increasing international scrutiny over the situation in Gaza, with many nations expressing concern about the potential implications of further Israeli expansion. […]

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 August 2025 – HashKey Exchange, Hong Kong’s largest * licensed virtual asset trading platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with IVD Medical Holdings Limited (1931.HK), a publicly listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The two parties will collaborate to advance enterprise-level digital asset adoption and explore new models for integrating blockchain with industrial capital. IVD […]

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 August 2025 – In celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday, OPPO Singapore has launched its vibrant SG60 campaign, a multi-dimensional initiative designed to honour this milestone through youth creativity, technology, and community engagement. As a flagship component of the campaign and part of the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025, OPPO has proudly invited local photography community to capture the nation’s unique […]

The global network security sector is projected to witness significant expansion, reaching $38 billion by 2029, up from $24 billion in 2024. This robust growth trajectory comes amid escalating concerns over cyber threats and the increasing adoption of cloud technologies, hybrid work environments, and AI-driven innovations. A major factor driving the growth of the network security market is the widespread transition to cloud-based infrastructures. Organisations across various […]

Espresso AI, a cutting-edge platform developed by former Google engineers, has unveiled a Kubernetes Scheduler for Snowflake, marking a significant step in optimising data warehouse performance and cost-efficiency. This new solution leverages large language models to enhance the management and operational workflows of Snowflake data warehouses, enabling businesses to significantly reduce costs while maintaining high-performance standards. Snowflake, a widely adopted cloud data platform, has revolutionised data storage […]

Google has agreed to temporarily pause its artificial intelligence workloads in response to power demand spikes. This decision, which aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of data centre operations, marks a significant step in balancing technological advancements with energy sustainability. The tech giant’s agreement to pause AI workloads comes at a time when growing concerns around the energy consumption of data centres are increasingly […]

Matein Khalid There are two gems in global finance that I believe can make serious money if purchased at the right price this autumn. Their high beta means a 16% hit if the S&P has the 10% index correction that Morgan Stanley projects. The best thing at TPG for me is CEO Jon Winkelried, who I first met in Goldman Sachs’ cathedral of money at Peterborough Court […]

Alphabet’s investment arm has fully divested its stake in CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, after initially reducing its holdings in the first quarter. This decision signals a notable shift in the company’s strategy, which had previously seen an active involvement in the growth of CrowdStrike. The tech giant’s divestment raises questions about broader trends in the tech and cybersecurity sectors. The exit from CrowdStrike follows Alphabet’s trimming of […]

Proton has unveiled a new two-factor authentication app, which positions itself as a robust alternative to Microsoft Authenticator. As security concerns around digital identities grow, Proton’s offering enters a competitive field, aiming to provide an enhanced user experience while addressing key issues in account protection. The app, designed by the Swiss company behind Proton Mail, integrates advanced security measures to protect sensitive user data from threats. Unlike […]

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