Saudi Arabia among first destinations to adopt global safety stamp protocol

Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols have been implemented

Airline

Airline debt could grow to $550bn by year-end – IATA

In total, governments have committed to $123bn in financial aid to airlines

Honor

Honor to begin using MediaTek processors in upcoming devices

Honor phones earlier relied on Huawei Kirin processors

Three women in Saudi’s Jazan injured in missile attack

Shrapnel from the missile attack wounded the three women and damaged one house

Chinese tech giants may soon be expelled from the US stock market

A proposed new law will require companies listed on American stock exchanges to demonstrate that they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government

Russia sees oil market balance in June-July on OPEC+ cuts

Producers have lowered global oil supply by around 14-15 million barrels a day

In pics: Eid Al Fitr celebrations across the world

Across the world, governments have urged people to pray at home or follow strict social distancing measures due to Covid-19

Airline

What you need to know about how airline miles are changing

Introduced nearly 50 years ago, air miles are a way for the industry to make money

Twitter

Twitter tests new user interaction feature

The feature is currently being tested among a small group of Twitter users worldwide

Facebook Shops

Facebook, Instagram unveil ‘Shops’ platform to facilitate e-commerce

The new product will be introduced this summer in the US, and will be subsequently rolled out in other markets worldwide

Ghosn’s accused accomplices held as Japan seeks extradition

The arrests come a week before the expected announcement of a major restructuring plan at Nissan

Ubisoft Rainbow Six Siege

Game developer Ubisoft files lawsuit against Apple, Google

There have been over five million downloads of the game on the Google Play store alone

Tesla shares give up gains on renewed prospect of Musk buying Twitter

Tesla expected to soon reveal ‘million-mile-battery’

Tesla has collaborated with Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology for this battery

Huawei responds to severe new US sanctions

The new sanctions prevent any company that uses American machines or technologies from dealing with Huawei

Global downturn risks becoming prolonged recession – WEF

High unemployment, lack of progress in reducing carbon emissions and exacerbated inequalities are all possible side effects of the pandemic

IEA head sees oil use below pre-virus levels for at least a year

Crude demand of about 100 million barrels a day prior to the pandemic plummeted by about 30 per cent last month

Oil edges higher on recovery signs while Saudis flag deeper cuts

Saudi Arabia aims to pump just under 7.5 million barrels a day in June, compared with an official target of about 8.5 million a day

BRF’s Sadia commits to 1.4 million meals across the GCC amid Covid-19 concerns

The company has set up a Covid-19 Response Fund worth $1m and has collaborated with government entities and charitable associations to assist regional communities

Asia’s Richest Men Prep for Battle as Adani Enters Ambani’s Turf

Saudi wealth fund exploring an investment in Reliance Jio

Facebook last month agreed to pay $5.7bn for a 10 per cent stake in the digital unit

Oil anchored near $24 on lingering concerns about global glut

US crude stockpiles rose for a 15th week, although at a slower pace, while supplies at the Cushing storage hub expanded

GE’s regional head Nabil Habayeb takes on global role in the company

Habayeb has now been named as the senior vice president of GE, and the president and CEO of its Global Growth Organization

Facebook Journalism Project launches fund to support local newsrooms amid Covid-19

Facebook will work with the International Centre for Journalism (ICFJ) to offer grants, webinars and professional mentorship to support publishers

Message from the top: Anurag Agrawal, managing director, Canon Middle East and Turkey

As companies across the GCC tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regional business leaders reveal insights on what their organisations are doing and offer advice on how to deal with the current crisis

Oman Muscat

Oman schools to end academic year without exams; Muscat extends lockdown to May 29

The decision applies to private and public schools which will end the current academic year on May 7

Message from the top: Ethan Xue, president, OPPO MEA

As companies across the GCC tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regional business leaders reveal insights on what their organisations are doing and offer advice on how to deal with the current crisis

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ to buy Jordanian firm from founders, Carlyle

Last week, the company acquired 30 per cent of shares in National Petroleum Construction Co. it didn’t already own

Revealed: Indian repatriation flight schedule from the UAE

There will be 10 Air India flights organised from Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi to India from May 7-13

Volkswagen Middle East

Volkswagen Middle East launches new e-commerce platform in UAE, Saudi Arabia

A Live Chat facility will also allow customers to access an online personal chat with a dealership’s sales representative

India to begin repatriation of stranded citizens, including from UAE, this week

Citizens will be transported via aircraft and naval ships and will be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival at their destination in India

Renewables are the only winners in historic decline in energy demand

While all sources of energy — oil, coal, natural gas, and even nuclear — will see a decline, renewable energy is likely to be the bright spot