Happy Thursday everyone!

From gaming to energy and workplace policies, today’s top business stories highlight major global shifts. ADNOC is making a big bet on U.S. natural gas, with its CEO calling for a ‘pragmatic’ energy approach. Meanwhile, Saudi-owned Scopely has snapped up Pokémon Go in a $3.5 billion deal, strengthening the kingdom’s gaming ambitions.On the regulatory front, Saudi Arabia is cracking down on fake sick leave reports, imposing jail time and hefty fines.

Let’s dive in!

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ADNOC CEO: ‘Make Energy Great Again’ as UAE Eyes Major US Gas Investment

📰 What is it about?

• ADNOC’s international investment arm, XRG, will make a significant investment in U.S. natural gas in the coming months.

• XRG, with $80 billion in assets, will invest across the entire gas supply chain—from exploration to distribution.

• CEO Sultan Al Jaber, speaking at CERAWeek, echoed Trump's slogan, ‘Make Energy Great Again,’emphasizing a need for pragmatic energy policies.

• ADNOC is also considering an IPO for XRG, according to recent reports.

💡 Why it matters?

• UAE’s move signals a shift towards securing global energy dominance as demand for oil and gas continues to rise.

• The investment comes as Trump reverses Biden-era energy policies, encouraging maximum production in the U.S.

• Jaber highlights the increasing global energy demand, with oil consumption projected to hit 109 million bpd by 2035 and power demand surging 70%.

• Artificial intelligence’s massive energy needs are driving new energy investments, making the sector crucial for AI development.

🔜 What’s next?

• Expect ADNOC’s XRG to announce major deals in U.S. gas infrastructure and supply chains.

• Potential IPO of XRG could reshape the global energy investment landscape.

• Jaber’s push for "realism" in climate talks may influence future global energy policies.

• With Trump’s exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, a new geopolitical energy shift is underway.

Earlier at CERAWeek…

• Aramco CEO Amin Nasser dismissed current energy transition plans as unrealistic, saying there’s “more chance of Elvis [Presley] speaking” than them succeeding.

• He criticized premature shifts to immature alternatives like green hydrogen, arguing they have failed to meet global energy demand.

• Nasser called for continued investment in fossil fuels, emphasizing that new energy sources can complement but not replace them.

• He urged deregulation and unbiased financing to ensure sufficient investment in all energy sources, including oil and gas.

• Despite advocating for fossil fuels, Aramco invested $50 billion in energy projects last year, with plans to develop 12 GW of solar and wind energy by 2030.

ODEUM – A Cutting-Edge Content Studio for All Your Production and Social Media Management Needs

📰 What is it about?

• Odeum, the content studio built for modern media consumption, partnering with brands to deliver tailored content services while also creating original productions under the Augustus Media network.

💡 Why Choose ODEUM?

At ODEUM, we provide end-to-end media solutions to elevate your brand across multiple platforms.

• Video Production: From AI-powered videos to immersive live streaming and CGI storytelling.

• Animation Services: Dynamic 2D & 3D animation, motion graphics, and visually striking CGI. 

• Audio Production: Podcasting, sound design, and professional voiceovers that elevate content with immersive audio experiences.

• Original Content Development: Conceptualizing and producing shows, short films, and series that engage and inspire.

• Studio Rental: Fully equipped production spaces designed for seamless content creation, offering state-of-the-art filming, podcasting, and photography setups to bring creative visions to life.

🔜 What’s next?

• Have a project in mind? Let's make it happen!

• Book a studio or discuss your next big idea with us today.

Follow ODEUM on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Markets

Saudi-Owned Scopely Acquires Pokémon Go in $3.5 Billion Gaming Deal

📰 What is it about?

• Scopely, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, has acquired Pokémon Go and other apps from Nianticin a $3.5 billion deal, according to Financial Times.

• Pokémon Go, launched in 2016, remains one of the top-grossing mobile games, generating over $1 billion last year with 30 million monthly players.

• The deal expands Scopely’s audience to more than 500 million players, adding to its success with Monopoly Go!, the second-highest-grossing mobile game of 2023.

• Niantic is pivoting towards artificial intelligence, spinning off a new unit, Niantic Spatial, focused on developing geospatial AI for smart glasses, robotics, and next-generation mapping..

💡 Why it matters?

• Saudi Arabia is aggressively expanding its gaming footprint, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aiming to make the kingdom a global gaming hub.

• The deal is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader $40 billion strategy to establish 250 gaming companies and create 39,000 jobs by 2030.

• Savvy Games Group has already invested heavily in gaming, acquiring stakes in Nintendo, EA, Activision Blizzard, and Take-Two Interactive.

• Niantic’s transition to AI-driven mapping technology could revolutionize how digital content interacts with the real world, shaping future applications for AR and robotics.

🔜 What’s next?

• Scopely is expected to further expand its mobile gaming empire, leveraging Pokémon Go’s enduring popularity to drive revenue growth.

• Saudi Arabia will continue investing in gaming and esports, with Riyadh set to host the first Olympic Esports Games in 2027.

• Niantic’s AI spin-off, Niantic Spatial, aims to lead in geospatial AI, with potential applications beyond gaming, including autonomous vehicles and smart cities.

• With Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the gaming sector, more acquisitions and industry-shaping deals could follow in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Cracks Down on Fake Sick Leave Reports with Jail Time & Hefty Fines

What is happening?

• Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has declared that issuing or submitting fake sick leave reports is a criminal offense.

• Offenders face up to one year in prison and a SR100,000 ($26,600) fine.

• The crackdown follows the rise of social media accounts offering unauthorized medical leave services.

• The only official platform for sick leave reports is Sehhaty, and any reports from other sources are invalid.

Why it matters:

• Fake sick leave reports disrupt workplace productivity and undermine the healthcare system.

• Authorities are concerned about the misuse of medical leave and the potential for fraud.

• Doctors who issue unjustified sick leave could face serious disciplinary and legal action.

• A new digital monitoring system will now cross-check reports against patient health records to prevent abuse.

What’s next?

• Authorities will prosecute individuals and healthcare professionals involved in fraudulent sick leave.

• Public awareness campaigns will educate people on the risks of using unauthorized services.

• Expect stricter enforcement as digital tracking enhances real-time fraud detection.

• Businesses and employers may tighten sick leave policies to align with the government’s stance.

What about UAE?

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), submitting or issuing fake sick leave certificates is considered a serious offense with significant consequences:

• Immediate Dismissal: Under Article 44 of UAE Federal Law No. 33 of 2021, an employer has the right to terminate an employee without notice if the employee is found to have submitted forged documents, including medical certificates, according to Legal Advice MENA.

• Legal Precedents: There have been instances where individuals faced legal action for forging sick leave certificates. For example, a Dubai Police corporal received a three-month suspended jail sentence for submitting a forged medical certificate to obtain a nine-day leave.

Global cases

• France: Employers can request doctors to verify sick leave legitimacy, and online medical certificates are limited to three days.

• Poland: The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) can inspect employees’ locations to prevent sick leave abuse starting in 2025.

• Germany: Companies are hiring detectives to investigate fraudulent sick leave claims due to rising absenteeism.

🔍In other news…

• Dubai Aerospace Said to Seek Buyer for Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

• First Abu Dhabi Bank to pay highest-ever dividend.

• Alpha Data listing brightens up gloomy ADX.

• Saudi residential real estate to attract $1.22 billion this year, Knight Frank says.

• Italy's Synapsia has signed a $2.5-billion contract with UAE's Bold Technologies to provide AI-powered city management services for Abu Dhabi.

• Pakistan urges entrepreneurs to expand businesses and access new markets using Saudi Vision 2030.

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