Deepfakes: The next level of fake news in the Middle East is upon us

Dubai: Deepfakes, or highly convincing, computer-generated manipulations intended to trick people, are on the rise in the Middle East, according to experts. They also warn that increasingly sophisticated attackers are targeting e-commerce sites with greater frequency. Described by experts as the next battleground for fake news, deepfakes use artificial intelligence to mimic people’s faces and […]

Lagarde says global economy has lost momentum since January

Washington: Global growth has lost momentum since the start of the year, leaving the world economy in a “precarious” position, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said. The global economy has weakened since the International Monetary Fund last updated its forecast in late January, though a recession isn’t likely in the near term, Lagarde said Tuesday […]

UAE business visitors can now start securing VAT refunds

Dubai: Business visitors in the UAE can now start securing value-added tax (VAT) refunds, it has been confirmed. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced on Tuesday that it is now receiving refund applications for VAT charges incurred in the UAE by business visitors in 2018, a move that seeks to further cement the country’s position […]

FTA to refund VAT to business visitors

Abu Dhabi: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has started procedures for implementing the value added tax (VAT) refunds for business visitors. Those eligible for refunds can apply through a dedicated form available through its website, the FTA said on Tuesday The FTA said that it is now receiving applications to refund VAT incurred by business […]

Juncker warns Italian populists their economy is going backwards

Rome: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker urged Italy’s populist government to do more to boost the country’s contracting economy. “I am a bit worried to see that the Italian economy hasn’t stopped regressing,” Juncker told reporters in a joint appearance with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte following talks in Rome on Tuesday. “I would like the […]

Network International’s listing on London Stock Exchange draws strong demand

London: Payments processor Network International had its books covered rapidly on Monday after announcing a flotation that values the company at up to $3 billion in its forthcoming London listing, one source close to the deal said. Dubai-based Network International is the largest payments processor in the Middle East and Africa and is jointly owned […]

French company Thales Group takes over chipmaker Gemalto for €4.8 billion

Dubai: French aerospace and defense group Thales has completed the takeover of Dutch rival Gemalto, which has offices in the region, including Dubai, for a sum of €4.8 billon (Dh19 billion), it was announced on Tuesday. The mega deal has expanded Thales’ workforce by 15,000 staff and to date, it now employs 80,000 workers in 68 countries. […]

Global factory activity weak in March as storm clouds gather

London, Hong Kong: Factory activity remained weak around the world last month, reinforcing worries of a global slowdown as forward-looking indicators pointed to gloomy times ahead, surveys showed on Monday. Eurozone manufacturers had their weakest month for almost six years in March. While China showed a slight, surprising recovery last month, growth in new domestic […]