Trending Middle East

New Emiratisation rules, UAE 40% carbon emission target, Egypt and Iran — Trending

On today's episode, small businesses must now recruit Emiratis to their workforce in a major expansion of the UAE's Emiratisation drive. Companies with 20 to 49 employees will be required to hit a quota for the first time, hiring at least one UAE citizen in 2024 and another by 2025.

The UAE has set a stricter target for reducing carbon emissions, with major cuts within this decade. The government is seeking to reduce emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 from a business-as-usual level, said the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Egyptian and Iranian officials are expected to discuss opening up Egypt to Iranian tourists when they meet later this month as part of continuing efforts to normalise relations between the two nations, according to Egyptian sources.

A US federal judge on Tuesday rekindled Microsoft's $69 billion buyout of video game company Activision Blizzard by refusing to allow the temporary suspension of the long-delayed deal.

Iraq signs $27 billion TotalEnergies deal, 100 million users on Threads — Trending

On today's episode, Iraq on Monday signed an energy agreement with France’s TotalEnergies to develop oil and gas resources to improve the country’s electricity supply in the biggest single foreign investment in the nation.

 

In less than one week, Meta's newest social media platform, Threads, has managed to amass 100 million users around the world.

 

The transfer of more than one million barrels of crude oil from a stranded tanker off the coast of Yemen will begin next week, a UN official said on Monday. David Gressly, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen, told the Security Council that the FSO Safer has been “completely stabilised to facilitate the transfer of oil between ships”, and the oil transfer to another tanker would take about two weeks.

 

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has said the leadership of the nation's central bank will fall to its four deputy governors because Riad Salameh's term will not be renewed.

Israel protests, UN warns Sudan on verge of civil war, British Grand Prix — Trending

On today's episode, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Sudan is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war” that could destabilise the entire region.

Israel was on edge on Sunday ahead of a parliament vote on judicial reform that critics warn could set back democracy in the country and centralise power in the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Nearly 80,000 Emiratis are now working in the private sector – a leap of 30,000 in the past six months – as the campaign to get local talent into private business progresses.

Dutch-Belgian racing driver Max Verstappen delivered another crushing performance to win the British Grand Prix as Lando Norris held off Lewis Hamilton in a brilliant fight for second place.

Guterres calls on Israel to abide by obligations, Twitter threatens to sue Meta – Trending

Cody Combs gives a round-up of today’s trends

Meta launches Threads app, Lebanon’s business conditions, FDI into UAE – Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today’s episode, Meta Platforms launches its new Threads app in it highest-profile attempt to challenge the primacy of rival social media platform Twitter.

Business conditions in Lebanon’s private sector hit a 10-year high in June despite the country's enduring economic crisis, soaring inflation and a political impasse that has held back billions of dollars from the International Monetary Fund and international donors.

The UAE, the Arab world's second-largest economy, rises six places to become the 16th largest foreign direct investment recipient in the world after inflows rose to a record $23 billion in 2022.

The Iraqi Electricity Ministry says neighbouring Iran has halved gas supplies to the country, removing 5,000 megawatts from the national grid.

Israeli troops withdraw from Jenin, seizure orders upheld for Riad Salameh - Trending

Cody Combs gives a round-up of today’s trends.

Israel condemned for Jenin, President sympathises with Peter Hellyer’s family - Trending

Cody Combs gives a round-up of today’s trends.

Iranian activist jailed for 5 years, Israeli army strikes occupied West Bank - Trending

Thoraya Abdullahi gives a round-up of today’s trends.

Sudan explosion, IMF, Saudi unemployment - Trending

Cody Combs gives a round-up of today's trends

 

Heat affects 6,500 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, Iran files case against Canada - Trending

Cody Combs gives a round-up of today’s trends.