India to US: 8 nations issue Middle East travel advisories amid Iran tensions
Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations, citing security concerns.
Geostrategy
GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first players to implement change decisively.
Weaker dollar creates window for international property buyers in Dubai
For British buyers, the impact is substantial. A AED 5 million property that cost £1,098,901 in January 2025 now costs just £994,036—a saving of nearly £105,000, or 9.45%. Similar gains apply to buyers from the EU, Japan, China, and other regions with currencies that have strengthened against the dollar, writes Charles Philion, co-founder Pure Value
Dubai faces substantial supply headwinds that may absorb currency-driven demand without triggering significant price gains. Approximately 45,000-50,000 new residential units are expected in 2025-2026, with vacancy rates elevated in older secondary locations, he adds.
Gulf startup hubs: Converging strategies, diverging ambitions
Despite fierce branding as rivals, Gulf startup hubs share capital, policy, and talent structures that are quietly shaping distinct, globally ambitious growth paths.
Interview
The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and scalable commercial growth.
Economy
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
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.
How Doha is Building a Knowledge Economy
By pairing sovereign capital with frictionless regulation, Doha reversed the startup playbook, attracting investors and founders first, then letting an ecosystem form around them naturally
Embed AI in workflows so deep that it becomes invisible: Matt Cloke
Becoming AI-native starts with a shift in mindset. To harness its full potential, we need to see AI not as a product but as a partner. It’s less about which model you’re using and more about how you use it, writes Cloke, CTO Endava.
Opinion
We are witnessing the rise of a maturing Web3 world: Nicole Valentine
The world has known the Middle East for its oil. But a new fuel is taking the main stage: knowledge, AI, digital assets, says Nicole Valentine, the FinTech director at Milken Institute Finance, in an interview with TRENDS.
Interview
Beyond entertainment: How storytelling is shifting in the digital age
In a world where our screens shape how we think, feel, and connect, entertainment has become more than an escape — it’s how we make sense of everything around us, says Andy Climan, CEO of Entertainment Media Ventures.
Interview
India to US: 8 nations issue Middle East travel advisories amid Iran tensions
Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations,...
Geostrategy
Company News
GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first...
Latest News
Arab Parliament, Muslim nations slam Huckabee’s Middle East remarks
Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, stressed that any talk of control over the occupied Palestinian...
Citizen-consumers are redefining the global reputation of multinationals: Ipsos study
The report, Impacts of Multinational Corporations: What Citizen-Consumers Want from Foreign Companies Doing Business in Their Country, draws on a...
Governments must put creativity at the center of economic strategy: Report
Titled Creative Futures: The Springboard for Sustained Economic Growth and Diversification, the report argues that cultural and creative industries —...
Iran’s Khamenei likens protests to ‘coup’, warns of regional war
Iran's supreme leader on Sunday likened recent anti-government protests to a "coup", warning that any US attack on the Islamic...
Gold, silver prices tumble as investors soothed by Trump’s Fed pick
Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured...
Gulf startup hubs: Converging strategies, diverging ambitions
Despite fierce branding as rivals, Gulf startup hubs share capital, policy, and talent structures that are quietly shaping distinct, globally...
Interview
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
Gold, silver prices tumble as investors soothed by Trump’s Fed pick
Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured...
Hamas tells AFP ready to transfer Gaza governance to Palestinian committee
"Protocols are prepared, files are complete, and committees are in place to oversee the handover, ensuring a complete transfer of...
Qatar announces $430 mn in support for Lebanon
A visiting Qatari official on Monday announced a multi-million dollar aid package for Lebanon, primarily to support the country's crumbling...
Gold tops $5,000 for first time on Trump policy unrest
While turbulence over Trump's ambitions for Greenland and pressure on the Federal Reserve have provided the most recent support for...
Netanyahu, US envoys discuss opening Rafah crossing: Israeli media
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and...
Company News
The trillion-dollar paradox in GCC venture capital markets and exits
Despite trillions managed by GCC sovereign wealth funds, late-stage venture capital remains scarce, leaving startups stranded between early traction and...
Economy
We are witnessing the rise of a maturing Web3 world: Nicole Valentine
The world has known the Middle East for its oil. But a new fuel is taking the main stage: knowledge,...
Interview
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
How Doha is Building a Knowledge Economy
By pairing sovereign capital with frictionless regulation, Doha reversed the startup playbook, attracting investors and founders first, then letting an...
Embed AI in workflows so deep that it becomes invisible: Matt Cloke
Becoming AI-native starts with a shift in mindset. To harness its full potential, we need to see AI not as...
Opinion
Beyond entertainment: How storytelling is shifting in the digital age
In a world where our screens shape how we think, feel, and connect, entertainment has become more than an escape...
Interview
Geostrategy
Israel plans ‘Hexagon Alliance’ in Mediterranean, Middle East to counter hostile regional blocs
- Netanyahu outlined a plan to form a “hexagon alliance” involving India, select Arab and African countries, Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and unnamed Asian nations
- “In the vision I see before me, we will form a ‘hexagon alliance system’ around or within Middle East,” Netanyahu said, adding that further details would be shared in due course
Business
UAE launches first 7-year Islamic Treasury Sukuk worth $150 million
- The new tranche attracted strong demand amounting to approximately 3.1 billion dirhams, nearly six times the issuance size.
- Total bids reached 5.88 billion dirhams, representing an oversubscription ratio of 5.3 times.
Geostrategy
Arab Parliament, Muslim nations slam Huckabee’s Middle East remarks
- The Palestinian Authority said on X that Huckabee's words "contradict US President Donald Trump's rejection of rejection of (Israel) annexing the West Bank".
- Saudi Arabia described the ambassador's words as "reckless" and "irresponsible", while Jordan said it was "an assault on the sovereignty of the countries of the region".







