
ADNOC wins unconditional EU antitrust approval for Covestro deal
Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC on Tuesday won unconditional EU antitrust approval for its 14.7 billion euro ($16.3 billion) takeover of German chemicals company Covestro, confirming an earlier Reuters exclusive.
"The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active," said the European Commission in a statement.
The deal, ADNOC's biggest ever, underscores Middle East countries' plans to diversify their investments and reduce dependence on oil amid the global transition to cleaner energy.
($1 = 0.9003 euros)
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
39 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Passwords hacked worldwide: UAE cybersecurity experts urge companies to boost IT security
UAE-based cybersecurity experts are urging companies to boost password security to stay ahead of emerging threats in every aspect of operations, following news over the weekend that more than 16 billion login credentials globally were found exposed. The breach contains usernames and passwords from tech giants like Apple, Google, Facebook, Telegram, GitHub, and even some government websites, according to researchers at Cybernews, who said the findings were the result of an ongoing investigation that the team started early this year. They warned: 'With more than 16 billion login records exposed, cybercriminals now have unprecedented access to personal credentials that can be used for account takeover, identity theft, and highly targeted phishing. It is especially alarming that these aren't just old breaches being recycled. This is fresh, weaponisable intelligence at scale.' Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dubai-based cybersecurity Rayad Kamal Ayub said: 'The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. This is weaponising intelligence at scary scales for extortion. 'With such a significant number of login records compromised, the potential for abuse is immense. Cybercriminals can leverage these fresh datasets to orchestrate more sophisticated attacks, making it easier for them to impersonate individuals and gain access to sensitive information. The fact that these records are recent means that they reflect current user behaviors and trends, which can enhance the effectiveness of phishing attempts and other forms of exploitation,' added Ayub, who is also the managing director of Rayad Group. Ayub said although the UAE has achieved a top-tier classification in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, it is strongly advised for organisations to boost password security by using password managers, enforcing minimum length and complexity standards, and enabling multi-factor authentication. Companies should also regularly audit access controls, monitor for credential leaks, and adopt real-time detection solutions. 'It is advisable to hire professionals or cybersecurity companies to maintain databases and access control. Hospitals, banks and retailers should keep their data unencrypted and not put customers at risk,' added Ayub, who noted in the data leak 'Ana' appeared in 178.8 million instances. Joker, Batman, Thor, apple, rice used as passwords Ayub said profane language also showed up in 165 million passwords; while few of the frequently used pop culture terms in passwords included 'Mario' (9.6 million), 'Joker' (3.1 million), 'Batman' (3.9 million), and "Thor" (6.2 million). More than 10 million of the passwords featured 'apple', 4.9 million passwords have 'rice', and 3.6 million "orange," while 3.3 million opted for "pizza." Carolyn Duby, field CTO and cybersecurity GTM lead at Cloudera, noted: 'Cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion by 2025, having already cost $9.5 trillion in 2024 alone. 'Attacks by ransomware now happen every 11 seconds, and the average cost of a data breach has increased to $4.88 million. Companies using automation and artificial intelligence (AI) in their security operations are saving $2.22 million on average for each breach. Duby underscored 'data is both a strategic asset and a prime target. Protecting data at scale calls for intelligence, adaptability, trust, and immediate call to action to avoid massive data breaches. She recommended the first and most crucial step in protecting consumer trust is securing critical and personally identifiable information (PII). 'All data is equal in the eyes of AI, and will be used blindly, unless proper parameters are set,' she underscored. Detect, protect, defend, repeat Louise Bou Rached, director–Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Milestone Systems, reiterated: "Today, protecting the future of innovation, reputation, and digital freedom requires more than just preventing breaches. 'Companies must implement a layered, zero-trust strategy that goes beyond reactive defense and involves constant verification of each user, device, and application. Strong access controls, multi-factor authentication, endpoint security, and frequent security audits are all part of this,' she added. Maintaining basic cyber hygiene is essential. But more importantly, according to the cybersecurity experts, protecting companies from cyberthreats is a collective thrust. 'Cybersecurity is now a fundamental component of trust, resilience, and business continuity in today's hyperconnected world, not just an internal IT function,' Rached pointed out, underscoring: 'Given that even the most sophisticated systems can be compromised with a single click, encouraging staff members through cybersecurity awareness training is equally crucial.'


Arabian Business
10 hours ago
- Arabian Business
GCC tourism spending projected to hit $223.7 bn by 2034
The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) has released data showing visitor spending in GCC countries is expected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034. The projections indicate that incoming visitor spending will contribute 13.4 percent to total exports by 2034, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), which cited the Centre's latest analysis. GCC visitor spending jumps 28.9% since 2019 to reach $135.5 billion GCC countries have recorded progress across multiple tourism indicators, with international visitor spending reaching $135.5 billion in 2023. This figure represents a 28.9 percent increase compared to spending recorded in 2019. The region has secured the top position in the Middle East and North Africa's 2024 Safety and Security Index. All GCC member states scored above the regional average of 5.86 points on the index, which operates on a scale from 1 to 7 points. GCC countries have also achieved recognition for passport strength, with all six nations ranking among the top performers in the Arab region for passport power. The Centre's data highlights the tourism sector's growing contribution to the GCC economy, with visitor spending showing recovery and growth following the 2019 baseline period.


Zawya
11 hours ago
- Zawya
Jordan Source strengthens tech and investment ties in Europe with an official delegation to Germany
A high-level delegation from Jordan Source, representing the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), continued the program's efforts to activate collaboration, transfer knowledge, and build bridges between Jordan and European innovation powerhouses, spearheading an official visit to Germany. The delegation, which included 16 representatives from both public and private sectors, focused on attracting foreign investment and showcasing Jordan's growing capabilities in the ICT and outsourcing industries. Led by MoDEE officials, the business delegation featured representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply (MoITS) and Jordan Export. The government officials were accompanied by leaders from prominent Jordanian tech companies, which included CEOs and founders Alaa Muqattash of Advanced Business Solutions (ABS); Ahmad Bourini of Denamica; Yazan Tadros of EduHax; Zaidoun Karadsheh of Media Plus and BeeLabs; Omar Asa'd of SmartEye; and Faris Aloul of Vamu. Each of these companies corresponded to Jordan Source's strategic focus areas, including cybersecurity, gaming, information technology outsourcing (ITO), business processing outsourcing (BPO), education technology, and creative industries. Held from 3rd to 9th of May, the visit was organized by Jordan Source with support from MoITS and the Innovative Private Sector Development Approaches for Employment Promotion (I-PSD) project, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). This collaboration, further supported by Gateway Jordan—led by Oliver Gerbert—and the Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation, aimed to ensure comprehensive access to key stakeholders and innovation hubs across Germany, thereby maximizing opportunities for impactful engagements and the establishment of valuable connections. The delegation kicked off their activities in Berlin (3–7 May) with a visit to the Startup Unit of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) to explore Germany's startup support models and exchange insights on digital innovation. The delegation then continued to engage with the German Startups Association in an open discussion on ecosystem building, data-driven policymaking, and startup advocacy, gaining deeper insights into how the association supports over 1,200 members across all levels and regions. Furthermore, the trip to Berlin explored joint investments between Jordan and Germany in future-ready skills and workforce developments. The delegation shared its vision and innovations in digital learning with the Digital Education Lab (DEL) by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), as well as Christiani Competence Centres, opening the doors for collaboration in digital and vocational education. Wrapping up the first part of the official visit, Jordan Source met with RESPOND Accelerator by BMW Foundation for an exchange on impact-driven startups and leaders shaping the future of sustainable innovation. This dialogue laid the foundation for fostering purpose-led tech and building global partnerships that drive positive change. Upon landing in Saarbrücken (7–9 May), the Jordan Source delegation strategically aimed to establish high-level connections and showcase Jordan's tech sector. A key briefing with the Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation introduced Jordan's leading technology companies to the European stage, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and highlighting mutual economic opportunities. The delegation also dedicated significant time to exploring the forefront of German research and innovation. Visits to leading institutions such as DFKI, specializing in advanced AI, and the dynamic innovation hub at Universität des Saarlandes provided invaluable insights into cutting-edge technologies and the synergy between academia and entrepreneurship. These engagements aimed to foster potential avenues for joint research, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of best practices. Furthermore, the delegation immersed itself in Saarbrücken's vibrant innovation ecosystem to identify concrete collaboration opportunities and strategic alliances. Interactions with collaborative spaces like East Side Fab and Halle 4 facilitated direct engagement with startups and ecosystem builders. Parallel discussions with The August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and Dehub AI focused on leveraging digital transformation and applied AI to enhance Jordan's role in the global tech value chain, actively seeking tangible partnerships for long-term growth and mutual benefit. Jordan Source's successful visit to Germany underscores its mission to position the Kingdom as a regional hub for ICT investments and outsourcing. By building bridges between Jordanian and German tech ecosystems, the mission highlights Jordan's role as a rising leader in the global digital economy.