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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
Mohammed Sergie

Mohammed Sergie

Editor, Semafor Gulf

Email Mohammed@msergie

Mohammed is the editor of Semafor Gulf. He was previously an energy and commodities editor at Bloomberg. Mohammed covered private equity, energy, geoeconomics, and politics for Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, The Council on Foreign Relations, among other outlets. His career has included stints in Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, New York, and Syria.

Anthropic flags UAE-linked misuse of AI targeting the Muslim Brotherhood

The operation used around 300 fake social-media accounts and compiled files on European lawmakers, journalists, and UN officials.
Anthropic logo.
Dado Ruvic/Reuters

Authorities in Kuwait are flattening vehicles seized from crime

The practice, which destroys tankers that could be used to ferry valuable crude, follows Qatar, which began crushing cars seized through reckless driving two years ago.
A tanker crushed by Kuwait’s interior ministry. Courtesy of Kuwait News Agency.

Gulf corporate profits in second quarter show growing divide between economies

Listed companies in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi are growing quickly, benefiting from higher oil prices and their ability to keep energy exports flowing.
Abu Dhabi skyline.
Reuters

Iran war blows hole in Qatar budget

The 21.2 billion-riyal ($5.8 billion) second-quarter shortfall was almost double the previous quarter’s, with few signs that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is easing.
View of the Doha skyline.
Reuters

Abu Dhabi’s ADGM now holds more than $100B in AI money

Abu Dhabi tech vehicle MGX, which closed its first fund in July at $49 billion, is the largest, according to ADGM.
Abu Dhabi’s ADGM. Courtesy of ADGM.

Emirates introduces first electrically powered premium economy seat

The seats, which rival many first-class options on domestic routes in Europe and the US, will debut on newly delivered Airbus A350s.
New Emirates premium economy seat.
Courtesy of Emirates

US and Iran exchange fire for the first time in over a month

The US hit two rocket launchers, saying they were about to deploy mines into the Strait of Hormuz.

ADNOC boosts oil output despite Iran war

ADNOC has emerged as one of the Gulf’s most flexible energy exporters, thanks to geography, defense capabilities, and a willingness to take risks.

Gulf stuck in war-and-peace limbo

The “region cannot remain in a state of neither war nor peace indefinitely,” Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, warned this week.

How UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba won over Washington

The UAE has spent more than $270 million on lobbying in Washington over the past decade, according to the Financial Times.

Hormuz risk pays off for shippers as profits soar

Today, ADNOC Logistics & Services said its profit quadrupled to $951 million in the second quarter.

Domestic market lifts ADNOC Gas amid export decline

Local demand is rising due to population growth, expanding petrochemical and industrial use, and new data centers.

Aramco profit rises 33% on higher oil prices

Saudi oil giant says the Iran war has caused no material disruptions and expects stronger demand as global inventories are rebuilt.

Qatari group develops $3.3 billion agricultural project in Syria

Baladna Food Industries is an arm of the business empire of Syrian-born business moguls Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat.

LNG shipments start moving through Hormuz in long road to recovery

Before the war, roughly a fifth of the world’s LNG passed through the strait, and the disruption has left Asian buyers scrambling.

European soccer officials eye Qatari challenger for FIFA’s top job amid turmoil

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s efforts to bring in private investors to the World Cup has triggered a revolt among global soccer officials

The UAE cautiously engages with Iran as strikes decline

Whether by carrot or stick — and there’s still no definitive reporting on which — the animosity between Iran and the UAE has been easing.

The Suez Canal is Saudi crude’s costlier alternative route to Asia

The longer route adds about $2.5 million in shipping costs per journey to Asia, stretching a typical voyage to Taiwan from 19 to 48 days, Reuters estimated.