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Shadi's take on the presence of the Israeli military in Lebanon

Shadi's take on the presence of the Israeli military in Lebanon

The National17-02-2025
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
Critically assess whether a project's promises or returns seem too good to be true.
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Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges. Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5 %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AI and humans will co-exist, not compete
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that's not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it's a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general. %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1 2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3 2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2 2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1 2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3 2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1 2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2 2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3 2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5 %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlanRadar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2013%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIbrahim%20Imam%2C%20Sander%20van%20de%20Rijdt%2C%20Constantin%20K%C3%B6ck%2C%20Clemens%20Hammerl%2C%20Domagoj%20Dolinsek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVienna%2C%20Austria%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EConstruction%20and%20real%20estate%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400%2B%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20B%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Headline%2C%20Berliner%20Volksbank%20Ventures%2C%20aws%20Gr%C3%BCnderfonds%2C%20Cavalry%20Ventures%2C%20Proptech1%2C%20Russmedia%2C%20GR%20Capital%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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India Needs To Raise Defence Spending Substantially
India Needs To Raise Defence Spending Substantially

Arabian Post

time3 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

India Needs To Raise Defence Spending Substantially

By Nantoo Banerjee It is difficult to believe that India, the world's fourth largest economy by gross domestic product (GDP) and a major military power, ranks below even the tiny states of Kuwait and Greece when it comes to defence spending as a percentage of GDP. Considering the tricky geo-political situation in the south Asian region with China, India's No. 1 enemy increasingly surrounding the country with its growing economic and military control over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan and Nepal, India does not seem to be spending enough on its defence in the face of a growing China threat. In terms of gross value, India's annual defence budget may not look that unimpressive, but it accounts for less than one-third of China's defence expenditure of nearly $267 billion. The US continues to be the biggest defence spender with a budget of $895 billion. Russia's defence budget is worth around $126 billion. India's defence budget is estimated at only around $75 billion. Effectively, India's defence spending works out 1.9 percent of its GDP. Although China's defence spending is officially estimated at only 1.5 percent of its economy, it excludes several important expenditures such as weapon imports, funding for the People's Armed Police, and research and development, according to the As a result, China's effective defence expenditure may be largely hidden. Or, it could be significantly higher than the publicly shared estimate. Communist China, the third major global military power after the US and Russia, has been rapidly modernizing its technological capability in the defence sector as it is expanding its presence across the world, only next to the US. It is difficult to assess China's actual military expenditure as it is also supposed to provide protection to the country's Belts & Roads Initiative (BRI) investments that cover some 150 countries across the world. The Chinese BRI spans across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific region. Going by the recent reports, China has a potential base in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Tanzania, Mauritius, Maldives and Myanmar. China is engaged in developing commercial seaports or free trade zones in the Indian Ocean's points of these countries. China is also supporting these countries with finalized contracts for conventional arms sales. The US is concerned. And, so is India. This explains the formation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, operating as a strategic forum to promote regional security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on shared values and a free and open international order based on the rule of law. The Quad member countries are: the US, Japan, Australia, and India. Interestingly, after the latest meeting of the defence ministers of the 10-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes China, India, Pakistan and Iran, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign a draft statement that did not mention the Pahalgam terror attack. As a result, no joint declaration was made. Pakistan's defence spending is around 2.2 percent of its GDP. For the current fiscal year 2025-26, the country's defence budget was initially proposed to be 1.97 percent of GDP. However, following the recent four-day India-Pakistan war, indications are that Pakistan's defence spending, including hidden costs, military pensions and total military-related expenditure, may well exceed four percent of its GDP this year. In recent years, Pakistan's defence spending has generally remained at around 2.5 percent of GDP. Largely import-dependent on China for critical war equipment stocks, Pakistan appears to be ready to fight proxy war for China in both the South and West Asian regions. China's BRI investment in Pakistan, primarily through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is estimated to cost $62 billion. The CPEC is a key component of the BRI, aiming to enhance connectivity and trade between the two countries. The 27-member European Union, which appears to be fighting a proxy war in support of Ukraine against Russia, is looking to raise the defence expenditure to as high as five percent of its GDP due to a combination of factors, including Russia's aggression in Ukraine, a reassessment of security risks, the need to modernize its defence capabilities, and to better align with NATO's defence plans. According to reports, Ukraine's prolonged war against Russia is behind the EU's decision in support of a stronger and more unified European defence, particularly in the face of US President Donald Trump's lack of interest in continuously fund-feeding the European partners of NATO. The EU defence expenditure target of five percent of GDP includes investments in broader security areas, such as infrastructure upgrades (roads, railways, bridges), cyber defence, and military mobility to facilitate quick reinforcement. Among the world's top military spenders as percentage of GDP are: Ukraine (34.5 percent), Lebanon (10.5 percent), Israel (8.8 percent), Russia and Saudi Arabia (7.1 percent each), Kuwait (4.8 percent), Poland (4.2 percent) and the US (3.4 percent). India's proposed defence spending as a percentage of GDP in the 2025-26 budget, estimated to be 1.9 percent, represents a substantial decrease from its historical levels of around three percent, excluding large defence pensions, in the early 2000s. While the overall budget allocation for defence has increased in recent years, the percentage of GDP allocated for the purpose has remained at a relatively lower level below two percent. This is despite the changing security environment in the region in the last two decades. Recently, even Bangladesh had the guts to threaten India with possible military action to cut off the 'chicken's neck' in the Dooars region to sever India's land link with its eight north eastern states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. India should not take the first ever Bangladeshi threat of this nature lightly since the country's import-dependent military is substantially controlled by China. This more than explains why India needs to increase its effective defence spending as a percentage of GDP in the coming years to remain fighting fit to protect the country's territorial integrity and economic progress in the face of a Chinese proxy war using both Pakistan and Bangladesh against India. (IPA Service)

Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal
Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal

Middle East Eye

time5 hours ago

  • Middle East Eye

Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal

Iran has taken possession of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries as Tehran rapidly moves to rebuild defensives destroyed by Israel during their recent 12-day conflict, sources have told Middle East Eye. The deliveries of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries occurred after a de-facto truce was struck between Iran and Israel on 24 June, an Arab official familiar with the intelligence told MEE. Another Arab official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive intelligence, said that the US's Arab allies were aware of Tehran's efforts to "back up and reinforce" its air defences and that the White House had been informed of Iran's progress. The officials did not say how many surface-to-air missiles, or SAMs, Iran had received from China since the end of the fighting. However, one of the Arab officials said that Iran was paying for the SAMs with oil shipments. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and the US Energy Information Administration suggested in a report in May that nearly 90 percent of Iran's crude and condensate exports flow to Beijing. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters For several years, China has imported record amounts of Iranian oil despite US sanctions, using countries such as Malaysia as a transshipment hub to mask the crude's origin. "The Iranians engage in creative ways of trading," the second Arab official told MEE. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are expected to discuss Iran and its nuclear programme when they meet on Monday. MEE reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. Deepening relationship The shipments mark a deepening of Beijing's relationship with Tehran and come as some in the West noted that China and Russia appeared to keep a distance from Iran amid Israel's unprecedented attacks. Israel achieved air superiority over Iran's skies during the conflict, destroying ballistic missile launch pads and assassinating Iranian generals and scientists. Despite this, the government endured the strikes. It was also able to continue firing ballistic missiles at Israel, decimating several sensitive sites in Tel Aviv and Haifa before a ceasefire took hold. By allowing Israel to bomb Iran, Trump is pushing Tehran to go nuclear Read More » In the late 1980s, Iran received HY-2 Silkworm cruise missiles from China via North Korea when it was at war with Iraq. The Islamic Republic used the missiles to attack Kuwait and strike a US-flagged oil tanker during the so-called tanker wars. In 2010, there were reports that Iran received HQ9 anti-aircraft missiles from China. Iran is believed to use Russia's S-300, which is capable of engaging aircraft and UAVs in addition to providing some cruise and ballistic missile defence capability, as well as older Chinese systems and locally produced batteries such as the Khordad series and the Bavar-373. These systems are believed to have a limited ability to shoot down the US F-35 stealth warplane that Israel operates. China already sells its HQ-9 and HQ-16 air defence systems to Pakistan. Egypt is also understood to have China's HQ-9 system, according to reports.

UAE sees $34 billion crypto surge as clear regulations, zero-tax policies attract investors: Report
UAE sees $34 billion crypto surge as clear regulations, zero-tax policies attract investors: Report

Al Etihad

time6 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

UAE sees $34 billion crypto surge as clear regulations, zero-tax policies attract investors: Report

8 July 2025 00:30 Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi) The UAE has pulled in $34 billion in crypto inflows between July 2023 and June 2024, representing a 42% year-on-year growth and positioning the Emirates among the world's leading markets for digital currencies, according to a new report by blockchain solutions provider Mining Grid. The report, titled 'The Middle East Cryptocurrency Landscape 2025', highlights how the country's forward-thinking approach to regulation, combined with its zero-tax environment for digital asset transactions, has unlocked unprecedented growth. 'The UAE's clear regulations and zero capital gains tax have created the perfect environment for crypto growth,' said Solaiman AlRifai, Founder and Board Member of Mining Grid.'With an engaged and forward-looking population, it's no surprise the country is now seen as the crypto capital of the Arab world.'Mining Grid's data shows that over 93% of the region's total crypto inflows – amounting to $338.7 billion across the Middle East during the same period – came from large, institutional-sized transfers. It says that this signals that regional markets are increasingly focused on long-term strategies rather than speculative, high-risk the Middle East now ranks as the seventh-largest crypto market, and the UAE's contribution has been pivotal in this growth. The reports analysts point to the country's clear legal frameworks, sophisticated financial infrastructure, and Web3 adoption as central factors in attracting both retail investors and major youth's interest in the market was identified as a key driver of the UAE's crypto boom. The Mining Grid report found that over 74% of Emiratis and expatriates aged 25-34 have shown active interest in media platforms were said to be central to this youth movement with the convergence of viral video trends, instant messaging communities, and on-demand crypto education empowering a new generation to enter the digital asset space with unprecedented this rapid growth come important challenges. Nearly half of young crypto users surveyed have expressed concerns about misinformation spreading across social media channels. The report warns that misleading claims or poorly understood advice can expose inexperienced investors to scams or unsustainable strategies. This presents a critical opportunity for trusted platforms, licensed exchanges, and educators to establish themselves as reliable sources of knowledge, fostering responsible engagement is also deepening. Mining Grid's data suggests that a rising number of UAE-based family offices and investment firms are now incorporating crypto allocations into their portfolios, reflecting growing confidence in the market's stability. This institutional participation has helped shift perceptions of cryptocurrencies in the Emirates from speculative instruments to viable components of diversified investment UAE's success is closely tied to its commitment to building a comprehensive crypto ecosystem. Recent regulatory milestones include frameworks set by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), which have both established robust guidelines for licensing exchanges, digital asset custodians, and token issuers. 'The UAE has created the ideal environment where curiosity meets clarity. We're seeing a new generation that doesn't just want to invest in crypto but wants to understand it, build with it, and lead its next chapter,' said Rami Alsridi, Founder and CEO of Mining Grid.

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