Author: Editorial Team

LONDON, 28th April, 2026 (WAM) — Shell plc has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ARC Resources Ltd., an energy company focused on the Montney shale basin in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, in a $16.4 billion deal. The acquisition accelerates Shell’s strategy by adding 370 kboe/d1 immediately across liquids and gas leading to a 4% production CAGR2 through to 2030, compared to 2025. A company press release said the deal increases Shell’s exposure to long-duration, low-cost and top quartile low carbon intensity shale gas and liquids production in Canada’s Montney basin, delivering value for decades. Source: Emirates News…

MAKKAH — Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb inspected the readiness of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during the Hajj season, reviewing the level of services provided to pilgrims at their residences. The tour included hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations across Makkah. He assessed operational procedures, facility preparedness, and the services offered to pilgrims. This contributes to enhancing service quality within accommodation facilities. During the tour, Al-Khateeb met with trained tourism personnel serving pilgrims and reviewed their readiness and role in delivering services. This reflects the impact of the ministry’s training and qualification programs aimed at empowering national…

RIYADH — Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held a bilateral meeting with President of Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones Qais Al-Yousef. They discussed enhancing industrial cooperation and developing joint investments between the two countries. The meeting addressed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of industrial cities and special economic zones, in addition to developing strategic partnerships that enhance industrial integration between the two countries, in a manner that supports regional supply chains and boosts the competitiveness of the Saudi and Omani economies.Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and investment…

RIYADH — Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority Bandar Alkhorayef said that the percentage of local content in Saudi Arabia jumped from 28 percent in 2018 to 51 percent last year, with investments exceeding SR18 billion, contributing to knowledge transfer and building community capabilities. The minister attributed this to the activation of the roles of the authority ever since its inception.Addressing the Local Content Award ceremony in Riyadh on Monday, he said that Local Content and Government Procurement Authority has become a powerful tool for…

Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced the signing of an agreement with the Environment Fund (EF), under the patronage of Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water & Agriculture. The agreement was signed by Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, Board Member and Acting CEO of the Environment Fund, and Tony Cripps, Managing Director and CEO of SAB, to provide credit facilities to beneficiaries of the incentives and grants program. The program aims to offer financing solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mid-sized companies, and large corporates operating in environmental…

Filipinos in the UAE – whose employment visa or Emirates ID were issued in Dubai and Northern Emirates – who lost their jobs or have experienced pay cuts  due to the Middle East conflict, can now apply for a one-time financial assistance worth Dh730 ($200) from the Philippine government, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai announced on Monday night. MWO said the initial funding received from the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Manila is limited to benefit 3,271 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) only. “(We) highly discourage OFWs from visiting MWO-Dubai as applications will be received and processed…

ABU DHABI, 27th April, 2026 (WAM) — The Emirates Growth Fund (EGF) has been named Exclusive Growth Capital Partner at Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) 2026, the UAE’s flagship industrial forum, taking place 4–7 May at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. The designation marks a pivotal moment in EGF’s first year as the platform from which a new phase of national industrial action begins. As Exclusive Growth Capital Partner at MIITE 2026, EGF demonstrates its role as a strategic platform advancing the growth of UAE homegrown businesses, and its position as a catalytic investor and enabler of the national SME ecosystem.…

WASHINGTON, 27th April, 2026 (WAM) — Microsoft (MSFT) on Monday announced an amended long-term agreement with OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) that will see the company no longer have exclusive access to the AI startup’s intellectual property and AI models, while also altering its revenue-sharing deal with OpenAI. The news comes ahead of Microsoft’s earnings report on Wednesday, and just six months after the two companies formalised an agreement that allowed OpenAI to transform into a for-profit business. Under the terms of that deal, Microsoft was given exclusive access to OpenAI’s IP and models until the company achieved artificial general intelligence (AGI), or…

Huawei recently announced its intent to invest CNY18 billion ($2.6 billion) in global R&D for smart driving, a move that steps up the company’s efforts to strengthen its position in China’s growing EV market. Speaking in Beijing ahead of the country’s largest auto show, Huawei senior VP Jin Yuzhi reportedly said CNY10 billion of the sum will be directed toward computing power for AI training. According to Reuters, the Chinese vendor is aiming to scale total spending in the area to between CNY70 billion and CNY80 billion over the next five years. Huawei reportedly showcased 38 vehicles equipped with its…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has signed a joint executive program to support the continuity of education in crisis zones. The program aims to provide safe learning environments and psychological support for children affected by the disruption of education in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli aggression, thus mitigating the impact of the current situation on the educational process.The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) signed – via video conference – on Sunday a joint executive program with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage to establish and operate safe learning spaces (field schools), in addition to providing…