Iran demands MoU implementation before US talks in Doha
Trump said US envoys were travelling to Qatar for what he described as a "perhaps important, perhaps not" meeting, adding...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia mandates tougher money laundering risk assessments
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia has updated the executive regulations of its Anti-Money Laundering Law, introducing stricter disclosure requirements for...
Business
Economy
Fragmenting world economy raises costs beyond geopolitical rivals
A report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and consulting firm Oliver Wyman found that fragmentation accelerated through 2025...
- Annual economic losses from fragmentation already total up to $307 billion as tariffs and investment restrictions proliferate globally.
- Emerging economies outside major geopolitical blocs could suffer output losses nearly twice the global average under escalation scenarios.
Business
ChatGPT surpasses 1 billion monthly active users in May
Dubai, UAE -- OpenAI's ChatGPT surpassed 1 billion monthly active users in May, becoming the fastest application to reach the...
- Sensor Tower estimates ChatGPT reached one billion monthly users roughly three years after launching in late 2022.
- Growing enterprise adoption and multimodal capabilities have helped fuel demand amid intensifying competition across artificial intelligence markets.
Geostrategy
Trump says deal to end Iran conflict could be reached soon
Trump also told aides he would not resume all-out war with Iran unless Tehran killed U.S. troops, while U.S. Central...
- U.S. House passes symbolic resolution seeking to limit presidential authority for military action against Iran as negotiations remain stalled.
- Israel and Lebanon plan additional talks later this month after agreeing Lebanese forces will oversee designated security zones.
Business
G42 and Santander sign strategic AI partnership
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42 and Spanish banking giant Santander have signed a memorandum of understanding...
- G42 subsidiaries Inception and Presight are expected to contribute agentic AI, cloud infrastructure and intelligent systems expertise.
- The partners said future agreements will require regulatory approvals and adherence to governance, transparency and data protection rules.
Geostrategy
UAE outpaces global peers in technology adaptation
Dubai, UAE -- Organizations in the United Arab Emirates are moving faster than their global counterparts to adapt technology strategies...
- Ninety percent of surveyed UAE organizations rank within the top two global resilience tiers, underscoring confidence in digital preparedness.
- Thirty-four percent identified AI transparency as a key concern, while 32% flagged intellectual property risks from open-source adoption.
Geostrategy
Oil climbs and equities diverge as progress on Middle East peace remains elusive
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, meanwhile, said it had launched missile and drone attacks against the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth...
- Asian technology shares surged as semiconductor stocks advanced, helping investors look beyond geopolitical developments and oil volatility.
- U.S. Central Command said Iranian missiles targeting regional neighbours failed or were intercepted by allied air-defence systems.
Geostrategy
Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue amid new round of talks in US
The meeting in Washington follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he had received commitments from both sides aimed at...
- Lebanon's public university postponed examinations after an Israeli strike killed two students and their father in south Lebanon.
- MSC said a vessel was hit at Iraq's Umm Qasr port, with all crew members remaining unharmed.
Business
AD Ports Group acquires CLI
CLI is Brazilian agri-bulk terminal operator.
- Acquisition gives AD Ports access to Brazil's major grain and sugar export corridors through terminals at Santos and Itaqui.
- CLI handled 17 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, generating AED 654 million revenue and AED 360 million EBITDA.
Business
Dubai RTA digital revenue climbs 20.6 percent in 2025
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) generated AED5.3 billion ($1.44 billion) in revenue through digital channels in...
- Digital channel adoption reached 96%, while customer happiness averaged 98% across services offered by the authority.
- Smart application users exceeded 1.2 million, with annual visits rising 144% compared with 2024 levels.
Business
$1.59bn Makkah project awarded
A consortium will develop two districts in the Holy City.
- The consortium includes Masar, Makkah Construction and Development, and AlRajhi United Real Estate as project partners.
- Development covers 1.15 million square meters through a private real estate investment fund structure.
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Iran demands MoU implementation before US talks in Doha
Trump said US envoys were travelling to Qatar for what he described as a "perhaps important, perhaps not" meeting, adding...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Vance hails ‘historic’ US-Iran talks as Trump warns Tehran over Lebanon ‘proxies’
US and Iranian negotiators opened talks in Switzerland amid renewed tensions over Lebanon, with both sides linking progress to regional...
Geostrategy
Saudi tourist arrivals rise to 122.6 million in 2025, spending hits $81 billion
The growth was driven primarily by domestic travel, which reached 93.3 million tourists, up 8.3% from 2024, while inbound visitor...
Business
Trump threatens Hormuz tolls as Iran keeps strait closed ahead of Switzerland talks
The developments came ahead of technical talks between U.S. and Iranian officials expected in Switzerland as both sides seek to...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
AD Ports launches UAE-Iraq integrated logistics service
Dubai, UAE -- AD Ports Group has launched an integrated logistics service linking the UAE's Khalifa Port with Iraq's Umm...
- Weekly shipping link targets growing container and Ro-Ro traffic moving between Iraq, the UAE and neighbouring markets.
- Enhanced logistics capabilities at both ports aim to improve cargo handling efficiency and long-term supply chain resilience.
Geostrategy
Lebanon violence tests US-Iran accord as Israeli ministers harden rhetoric
Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 21 people were killed and 39 wounded in overnight strikes across southern Lebanon.
- "For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep," Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on social media.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the remarks, saying they reflected Israel's desire for "permanent war".
Geostrategy
Vance rebukes Israeli critics of Trump-Iran deal, says US remains Israel’s only ally
Vance said that if he were serving in Israel's cabinet, he would not be "attacking the only powerful ally that...
- Israeli leaders insist they retain freedom to confront Hezbollah and Iran regardless of terms in the U.S.-Iran accord.
- Vance earlier this week that the accord would make both Israel and the wider region safer and expressed confidence that Israel would eventually support it.