Trump halts Iran attack plans as talks gain momentum, keeps naval blockade intact
Speaking at an Oval Office event, Trump said Washington had achieved a "great settlement" and expressed confidence that an agreement extending the fragile ceasefire established in April could be finalized within days.
Geostrategy
Saudi, UAE startups join World Economic Forum’s global tech cohort
Saudi Arabia was represented by intella, which develops Arabic-language speech recognition and analytics tools, and Nommas Technologies, which provides AI-powered visual inspection systems for manufacturers.
Geostrategy
Why flexibility is non-negotiable in the Middle East’s AI transformation
The opportunity ahead is significant. Projections suggest AI could contribute $320 billion to the Middle East’s economy by 2030, with Egypt expected to generate nearly 8 percent of its GDP from AI in the same timeframe, according to Red Hat. The challenge now is not just to adopt AI but to operationalize it in a way that respects the unique regulations, cultures, and ambitions of the Middle East.
The region is a mosaic of digital ambitions where distinct national strategies are unfolding simultaneously. While the UAE accelerates its push to become a global hub for AI-driven finance and services, Saudi Arabia is executing a vision of entirely new cognitive cities built from the ground up.
Middle East conflict slows global growth outlook, World Bank says
Most economies saw forecasts downgraded as rising energy costs, inflation and borrowing expenses create fresh challenges for growth and development worldwide.
Geostrategy
AI success in life sciences depends on people as much as technology: Bain
Organizations creating the most value from AI are not necessarily those deploying the most technology. Instead, they are redesigning workflows, modernizing operating models and preparing employees for new ways of working.
Business
UAE executives face growing accountability over AI strategies
A new Dataiku study shows UAE CEOs increasingly view AI performance, governance and accountability as defining measures of leadership success.
Business
Why the GCC should stop trying to build Silicon Valley and focus on owning it
Fahad AlSharekh says the GCC’s edge isn’t startup mimicry but global investment power — backing AI, infrastructure and category leaders early, not chasing hype.
Middle East conflict: Trade tensions rise as oil jumps and tariffs shake markets
Several ports suspended operations in the Middle East after drone strikes. DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port in Dubai, one of the world's busiest container ports, had been suspended due to a fire after "aerial interception," he adds.
Economy
Achille Staiano
Chief Commercial Officer, Explora Journeys
Industry: Luxury Ocean Travel
Liliana Paraipan
Wellness Director at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea
Industry: Hospitality Industry
Abu Dhabi residential property sales hit record $19.9bn in 2025
Apartments dominated the sales market, accounting for 66% of transactions, reflecting strong developer activity in the segment
Economy
Neil George
Partner & Co-CEO, Aleph Hospitality
Industry: Hospitality
China’s LNG ambitions take shape
The 344-meters-long QC-Max vessel, being built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, is designed for a major Qatari LNG expansion project.
Business
Supply chain attacks emerge as top cyber threat to businesses: Study
The study found that large enterprises are particularly vulnerable because of their extensive vendor networks.
Business
Trump halts Iran attack plans as talks gain momentum, keeps naval blockade intact
Speaking at an Oval Office event, Trump said Washington had achieved a "great settlement" and expressed confidence that an agreement...
Geostrategy
Company News
Saudi, UAE startups join World Economic Forum’s global tech cohort
Saudi Arabia was represented by intella, which develops Arabic-language speech recognition and analytics tools, and Nommas Technologies, which provides AI-powered...
Geostrategy
Latest News
Gulf sovereign funds line up for landmark SpaceX listing
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Kuwait Investment Authority have each submitted orders worth between $1 billion and $5 billion....
PIF assets reach $910 billion by 2025 end, below Vision 2030 target
According to the latest Vision 2030 annual report, the real non-oil GDP reached $892 billion against a target of $904...
Saudi Arabia’s economy expands as oil and non-oil sectors grow
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), all major economic sectors recorded positive annual growth during the quarter, reflecting...
OpenAI files confidentially for IPO as AI boom accelerates
The company did not disclose the size or timing of the offering, saying only that preparations remained at an early...
Oil steadies while gold and bitcoin extend weekly losses
Oil markets were supported by expectations that ongoing talks between the United States and Iran could help secure energy flows...
Why flexibility is non-negotiable in the Middle East’s AI transformation
The region is a mosaic of digital ambitions where distinct national strategies are unfolding simultaneously. While the UAE accelerates its push to become a global hub for...
Middle East conflict slows global growth outlook, World Bank says
Most economies saw forecasts downgraded as rising energy costs, inflation and borrowing expenses create fresh challenges for growth and development...
Geostrategy
EDITOR'S PICK
3 ways travel drives economic growth while enhancing global connections and sustainability
WTTC research shows that, having endured estimated losses of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs...
EVs just the start, urban mobility needs a holistic approach
Cities must adopt EVs alongside shared transport, robust infrastructure, clean energy, and inclusivity, says Jamie...
Exclusive: Private military companies look at $366.8bn market as their demand, role in global conflicts rise
Rising security concerns, confrontational geopolitics, and chaotic global changes have fueled the demand for private...
TikTok under fire: Espionage claims, election influence campaigns and controversies
The platform faces accusations of espionage in the United States, while the European Union has...
Why the GCC should stop trying to build Silicon Valley and focus on owning it
Fahad AlSharekh says the GCC’s edge isn’t startup mimicry but global investment power — backing AI, infrastructure and category leaders...
Latest News
Oil steadies while gold and bitcoin extend weekly losses
Oil markets were supported by expectations that ongoing talks between the United States and Iran could help secure energy flows...
UAE property market draws global investors despite regional conflict
The UAE Property Investment Index, conducted by U.S.-based Penta Group, found that 56% of global property investors expressed serious interest...
Trump signs order allowing US Govt access to AI models before public release
The measure establishes a new cybersecurity clearinghouse involving federal agencies and industry partners, reflecting growing concerns about advanced AI systems'...
Middle East conflict drags global air travel demand lower
Revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), the industry's measure of demand, declined 3.4% year-on-year, while available seat kilometers (ASK), a measure of...
UAE organizations strengthen governance to scale AI cybersecurity: Report
Governance, accountability and validation processes emerge as critical requirements for translating growing AI investment into measurable operational and security outcomes,...
Khalifa Education Award begins judging stage
Geostrategy
Company News
AI success in life sciences depends on people as much as technology: Bain
Organizations creating the most value from AI are not necessarily those deploying the most technology. Instead, they are redesigning workflows,...
Business
China’s LNG ambitions take shape
The 344-meters-long QC-Max vessel, being built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, is designed for a major Qatari LNG expansion project.
Business
UAE executives face growing accountability over AI strategies
A new Dataiku study shows UAE CEOs increasingly view AI performance, governance and accountability as defining measures of leadership success.
Business
Middle East conflict: Trade tensions rise as oil jumps and tariffs shake markets
Several ports suspended operations in the Middle East after drone strikes. DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port in...
Economy
Abu Dhabi residential property sales hit record $19.9bn in 2025
Apartments dominated the sales market, accounting for 66% of transactions, reflecting strong developer activity in the segment
Economy
Supply chain attacks emerge as top cyber threat to businesses: Study
The study found that large enterprises are particularly vulnerable because of their extensive vendor networks.
Business
Business
Dubai Islamic Bank prices $1 billion AT1 sukuk after strong demand
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has priced a $1 billion Additional Tier 1 (AT1) perpetual sukuk after attracting...
- Orders topped $2.3 billion from more than 85 institutional investors across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
- The perpetual sukuk qualifies as Additional Tier 1 capital and will be listed on Nasdaq Dubai and Euronext Dublin.
Business
Samsung biggest chip investor
The tech giant invested nearly $59.2bn in 2025.
- Global semiconductor sales exceeded $620 billion in 2024 and are expected to approach $700 billion in 2025.
- East Asia remains the center of global chip manufacturing, with South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China accounting for much of the world's semiconductor production capacity.
Geostrategy
Saudi, UAE startups join World Economic Forum’s global tech cohort
Saudi Arabia was represented by intella, which develops Arabic-language speech recognition and analytics tools, and Nommas Technologies, which provides AI-powered...
- World Economic Forum's 2026 Technology Pioneers recognizes early-stage companies developing technologies with the potential to reshape industries and societies.
- The cohort underscores a shift in global innovation patterns, with emerging economies playing a larger role in frontier technologies.
Achille Staiano
Chief Commercial Officer, Explora Journeys
Industry: Luxury Ocean Travel
Liliana Paraipan
Wellness Director at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea
Industry: Hospitality Industry
Neil George
Partner & Co-CEO, Aleph Hospitality
Industry: Hospitality