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  • Opinion: How the Biden Team Plans to Build Peace From Sinwar’s Death

    The death of Sinwar alone is not the sufficient condition to end this Gaza war and put Israelis and Palestinians on a pathway to a better future. Yes, Sinwar and Hamas always rejected a two-state solution and were committed to the violent destruction of the Jewish state. No one paid a bigger price for that than the Palestinians of Gaza. But while his death was necessary for a next step to be possible, it was never going to be everything.

  • How AI-driven robotics is transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia

    Robots have lived among us for years, from our factory assembly lines to the autonomous vehicles sorting our parcels. Now, with rapid advances in artificial intelligence, our robot companions are taking on even more sophisticated tasks — even heart surgery. According to the World Economic Forum, the market for robot-assisted surgery is expected to surpass $14 billion by 2026. Having invested heavily in health sector innovation, Saudi Arabia is already making significant strides in the adoption of AI-driven robotics in medicine.

  • Saudi Arabia Seeks to Expand Local Helicopter Production With Leonardo

    Saudi Arabia is in talks with Leonardo to expand their collaboration by localizing the production of helicopter components. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, and Leonardo Chairman Stefano Pontecorvo met in Milan to discuss a deal to support manufacturing aircraft structures, propellers, and advanced electronic flight systems. The partnership would also include developing capabilities in maintenance and repair service, as well as producing spare parts for engines, drones, and navigation systems. Leonardo has been working in Saudi Arabia for more than four decades, supplying fighter aircraft, avionics, surveillance, naval, and space systems, among others.

  • Saudi Tech Firm Ejada Taps Goldman for IPO at $1.5 Billion Value

    Ejada Systems Ltd. is considering an initial public offering in Riyadh at a valuation of as much as $1.5 billion, marking a rare listing by a technology services firm in Saudi Arabia. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Al Rajhi Capital have been hired to arrange the potential offering, which could come in the next few months, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are confidential.

  • Saudi Arabia can achieve clean water entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination, executives say

    A nationwide supply of clean water produced entirely by renewable energy-powered desalination in Saudi Arabia is possible, according to top industry executives. Mohammed Al-Hajjaj, CEO of Engie Saudi Arabia, spoke to Arab News about how advances in technology and affordability meant that fully renewable desalination is a possibility. “In recent years, we have seen significant advances in energy storage, making it not only feasible and practical, but also increasingly affordable,” he said on the sidelines of the Solar & Storage Live KSA exhibition in Riyadh on Wednesday.

  • Corporate activities drive Saudi bank loans to highest growth rate in 18 months

    Saudi bank loans reached SR2.82 trillion ($753.27 billion) in August, representing an annual growth rate of 12.11 percent — the highest in 18 months, according to recent data. Figures from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, showed that corporate lending dominated the sector, making up around 54 percent, with individual loans comprising the remaining figure.

  • Jannik Sinner Takes Home $6 Million With Win Over Carlos Alcaraz In 6 Kings Slam

    World No. 1 Jannik Sinner backed up his ranking and will take home the biggest purse in sports history after winning the 6 Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 to capture $6 million prize. In the third-place match, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6(5) in the final match of their storied rivalry. Nadal is set to retire at next month’s Davis Cup finals in Spain.

  • Saudi Extra Offers 30% Stake in Finance Unit in Riyadh IPO Boom

    Saudi Arabia-based United Electronics Co., known as Extra, will proceed with the listing of a 30% stake in its financial services unit on the Saudi main market. The subsidiary, United International Holding Co., parent of Tasheel Finance, announced on Sunday its plan to float 7.5 million shares. The entire amount raised will be distributed to Extra, the selling shareholder, according to a statement. HSBC Saudi Arabia and EFG Hermes KSA have been hired to arrange the offering, which may come in the next few weeks.

  • Israeli forces storm shelters, detain men, as north Gaza raid deepens

    Israeli forces blew up homes and besieged schools and shelters for displaced people on Monday as they deepened their operations in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, residents and medics said. They also rounded up men and ordered women to leave the camp, they said. Medics at the Indonesian Hospital told Reuters that Israeli troops stormed a school and detained the men before setting the facility ablaze. The fire reached the hospital generators and caused a power outage, they added.

  • Blinken heads to the Middle East as U.S. looks to kick start Gaza ceasefire talks

    U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart for the Middle East on Monday, the State Department said, as Washington is pushing to kickstart ceasefire negotiations to end the Gaza war following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The top U.S. diplomat's latest trip to the region, his eleventh since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that triggered the Gaza war, comes even as Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza and in Lebanon against Iran-aligned militia Hezbollah.