US and Iran agree to halt strikes, pursue technical talks: Official
AFP quoted an American official as saying that the technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the...
Geostrategy
Iran claims retaliation against US as Hezbollah protests Israel-Lebanon agreement
Tehran warned of broader retaliation if attacked again as Washington defended its military action, while unrest spread to Beirut after...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Hezbollah warns it would respond to Israeli ceasefire violations
The exchange came as regional tensions remained high and Iran intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a broader halt to hostilities,...
- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran could contact Washington by phone if it wished to negotiate an end to the conflict.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump discussed the need to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Business
Firms lag as AI-driven fraud surges: Study
The report, published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and analytics firm SAS, highlights widening gaps between rapidly evolving...
- Among the fastest-growing threats is deepfake-enabled social engineering.
- The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have the potential to take a leading role in next-generation fraud prevention.
Geostrategy
Humanoid robot outpaces human half-marathon record in Beijing trial
Dubai, UAE -- A humanoid robot completed a half-marathon in China in a time faster than the human world record,...
- The robot, widely referred to as “Lightning” or “Flash,” finished the 21.1-kilometer race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds at the Beijing E-Town humanoid robot half-marathon.
- The race was not conducted under rules set by World Athletics, and the robot’s performance is not recognized as an official record.
Business
UAE real estate posts record Q1 growth on strong investor demand
In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department reported 718,160 real estate transactions, including 60,303 disposals, up 6% from a year earlier....
- Abu Dhabi recorded its highest quarterly performance on record with transaction values surging 160.7% to about $18.0 billion (AED66 billion).
- In Sharjah, real estate trading volume climbed 40.7% year-on-year to approximately $5.0 billion (AED18.5 billion).
Business
UAE foodservice sector set for continued growth through 2030: Deloitte preview
The UAE’s foodservice sector continued to grow in 2025 and is expected to expand further through 2030, even as the...
- The report said the global foodservice market is projected to reach €2.98 trillion in 2025, marking growth of 2.2% compared with 2024
- The UAE foodservice market, valued at €16 billion in 2025, grew by 1.6% compared with 2024 and is forecast to rise by a further 4.2% through 2030
Geostrategy
Lebanon ceasefire begins, violations test fragile truce
The truce, brokered by the United States, is intended to halt cross-border fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Scenes of...
- However, the calm was quickly tested. Lebanon’s army accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while medics accused it of killing one person one person in the town of Kunin.
- U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington had “prohibited” Israel from carrying out further strikes in Lebanon.
Business
Sharjah Islamic Bank Q1 profit rises 19.4 percent
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) reported a 19.4 percent rise in first-quarter net profit, supported by higher income from Islamic financing...
- Income from Islamic financing and sukuk rose 14.4 percent, supporting operating income growth and profitability levels.
- Customer deposits increased 10.3 percent, improving financing-to-deposit ratio while maintaining stable liquidity and asset quality metrics.
Geostrategy
Middle East conflict may push 30 million into poverty: UNDP
According to a new UNDP policy brief, the impact is most severe in countries directly affected by the fighting and...
- Recommends targeted cash transfers and energy support, warning against costly blanket subsidies in developing economies.
- It is estimated that up to $6 billion may be required, depending on the severity of the crisis.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia Railways launches 5 new logistics routes
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched five new logistics routes designed to enhance supply chain efficiency...
- These routes link Arabian Gulf ports with the Kingdom’s central and northern regions, extending to the Red Sea and northern neighboring countries.
- The initiative supports the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030 goals to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.
Business
Dubai property market rises 31% to $68 billion in first quarter
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai’s real estate transactions rose 31 percent year-on-year to 252 billion dirhams ($68.6 billion) in the first...
- Figures from the Dubai Land Department showed 718,160 real estate procedures were recorded during the quarter.
- Luxury real estate transactions totaled 87.71 billion dirhams, up 26 percent, highlighting strong demand for high-end developments.
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US and Iran agree to halt strikes, pursue technical talks: Official
AFP quoted an American official as saying that the technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the...
Geostrategy
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Trump, Iran president sign framework accord to end conflict, launch nuclear talks
The accord, signed electronically by both leaders, is intended to serve as a framework for a broader settlement rather than...
Geostrategy
Abu Dhabi climbs global startup rankings on AI and tech growth
The emirate was ranked in the #41-50 category globally, improving from the #51-60 range a year earlier and marking one...
Business
US-Iran framework centers on investment fund, sanctions waiver and nuclear talks
At the center of the memorandum of understanding is a proposed $300 billion private investment vehicle, known as the Reconstruction...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Iranian tankers leave blockade zone as US-Iran deal moves toward signing
Iranian crude exports resumed ahead of a planned US-Iran signing ceremony, even as disputes over Lebanon, shipping rules and implementation...
- Shipping trackers reported three Iranian tankers carrying about 4.8 million barrels crossed the US blockade perimeter.
- Trump criticised Israeli strikes in Lebanon while Tehran linked future negotiations to an Israeli military withdrawal.
Geostrategy
Oil prices fall to lowest levels since March on Hormuz opening expactations
Questions over shipping fees, sanctions relief and regional security persisted even as negotiators prepared for a formal signing ceremony in...
- Iran says implementation begins after Friday's signing, while Washington signals parts of the agreement could be released earlier.
- Hezbollah says Tehran will seek Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon during subsequent negotiations with the United States.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s residential market weakens in Q1 despite price gains
The slowdown was most pronounced in Riyadh, where transaction volumes and values dropped 82% from a year earlier. Activity also...
- Residential transaction volumes fell 50% year-on-year to 29,490 deals during the quarter, while the value of transactions declined 57% to SAR22 billion ($5.9 billion).
- Riyadh Grade A office occupancy held at 97%, supported by limited supply of high-quality workspace.