Global economy stabilizes as fiscal room narrows, WEF says
World Economic Forum survey finds improving global outlook, but tighter fiscal space, geopolitical risks, AI investment uncertainty and living costs...
Expo 2020 DUBAI
Qatar launches platform to manage wealth fund domestic portfolio
Qatar’s new investment platform will manage the wealth fund’s domestic portfolio as Doha targets $60 billion in infrastructure and private...
Business
Business
UAE consumers embrace AI shopping but remain wary of autonomous purchases
Visa's latest Stay Secure study also highlighted the rapid rise of social commerce, with 69% of UAE consumers reporting purchases...
- Forty-six percent of respondents said they had experienced a financial scam during the past 12 months.
- Consumers increasingly see technology as part of the solution, with 85% believing AI will play a critical role in protecting people from fraud in the future.
Geostrategy
Israel and Iran signal restraint after renewed military clashes
Both countries, however, warned that they were ready to launch retaliatory attacks if provoked. The renewed hostilities raised concerns that...
- Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar reportedly urged Washington to press both sides toward restraint.
- The exchange followed Israeli strikes in Iran and Iranian missile attacks on Israel, with both sides citing earlier actions by the other as justification.
Business
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...
- Reuters previously reported OpenAI could seek a valuation of up to $1 trillion, potentially making it one of history's largest technology listings.
- The filing follows a restructuring effort and a court victory over Elon Musk, removing a major legal hurdle ahead of any share sale.
Analysis
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...
- Open source is the ultimate enabler of digital sovereignty, as it gives enterprises greater transparency, flexibility, and control over their IT estate.
- Energy and public sectors require rugged edge capabilities and the ability to process data in remote, high-demand environments.
Business
UAE travel sites improve email fraud protections: Proofpoint
Dubai, UAE -- The UAE's travel sector has strengthened its defences against email fraud ahead of the peak summer booking...
- Proofpoint said 45% of the travel websites surveyed were operating at the reject level, up from previous years, but 55% had yet to implement the strongest protection setting.
- The analysis was conducted in May 2026 and covered the UAE's 20 most-visited travel websites, identified using data from digital marketing platform SEMrush.
Business
Dubai economic zones post highest-ever trade performance in 2025
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai's integrated economic zones recorded their strongest-ever trade performance in 2025, with total trade rising 46% year-on-year...
- Total trade through DIEZ rose 46% to AED491 billion, marking a fifth consecutive year of growth and lifting its share of Dubai's non-oil trade to 16%.
- Trade volumes increased 50% to nearly 668,000 tonnes, signalling growth driven by higher cargo movement and commercial activity rather than price effects.
Geostrategy
Fresh Israel-Iran attacks overshadow ceasefire efforts across the region
Air raid alerts sounded across Israel, explosions were reported over Jerusalem, and Iranian state media reported blasts in Tehran, Tabriz...
- The escalation comes amid continued fighting in Lebanon, deadlocked US-Iran diplomacy and growing warnings over the conflict's economic fallout.
- Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon this week killed at least 12 people, including Lebanese army Brigadier General Wassam Sabra.
Business
Microsoft data highlights Qatar’s rapid Artificial Intelligence growth
The finding place Qatar among the top ten countries globally for practical AI usage. Qatar's AI market reached approximately $59...
- Experts say governance, regulation and workforce skills will determine the long-term success of Qatar's AI ambitions.
- Several institutions have played a leading role in advancing AI adoption, including Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
Economy
China’s foreign exchange reserves rise by $31bn to $3.44 trillion
Dubai, UAE -- China’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $3.4422 trillion at the end of May, their highest level in...
- SAFE attributed May's increase primarily to exchange-rate valuation effects and changes in prices of global financial assets.
- China remains the world's largest holder of foreign exchange reserves, providing a key buffer against market volatility and external shocks.
Economy
UN food organization sees global cereal output falling in 2026/27
Dubai, UAE -- Global cereal production is expected to decline by 2% in the 2026/27 season to 2.982 billion tons,...
- Record 2025/26 harvests helped build global cereal inventories despite forecasts of tighter supplies in the coming season.
- Lower wheat and barley trade volumes are expected to offset stronger maize and rice shipments worldwide.
Global economy stabilizes as fiscal room narrows, WEF says
World Economic Forum survey finds improving global outlook, but tighter fiscal space, geopolitical risks, AI investment uncertainty and living costs...
Expo 2020 DUBAI
Company News
Salik profit slips in H1
Business
UN warns Gaza remains unsafe for civilians
Geostrategy
Latest News
Alpha Dhabi profit jumps 48%
Business
AD Ports posts 88 percent rise in second-quarter net profit
Dubai, UAE -- AD Ports Group reported a record quarterly performance for the second quarter of 2026, with net profit...
Business
US warns of ‘never seen before’ sanctions against Iran as Hormuz impasse continues
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions "will be a combination of economic isolation like the world has never...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Analysis
GCC banks need stronger safeguards amid geopolitical uncertainty, KPMG says
KPMG says banks can strengthen portfolios through scenario analysis, stronger governance and monitoring as geopolitical tensions threaten borrowers, funding conditions...
- GCC banks' 19.3% capital ratio provides a foundation after years of prudent risk management and balance sheet discipline.
- Retail, corporate and commercial real estate portfolios face pressures from income erosion, funding costs, revenue disruption and valuation risks.
Geostrategy
US forces halt third cargo ship to enforce blockade of Iranian ports
A US helicopter fired missiles at a Panama-flagged cargo ship after its crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings from American forces,...
- Four drones struck three Kurdish camps near Erbil, with no casualties reported, amid tensions involving Tehran and Iraq.
- Three Pakistani nationals were killed and another injured in Houthi attack on a vessel in the Red Sea.
Business
Tabreed H1 revenue $308m
Blurb: Profit reaches $52 million in H1
- Connected capacity rose 15 percent year-on-year, reaching 1.58 million refrigeration tonnes amid continued portfolio expansion.
- Operating cash flow climbed 40 percent to $172 million, supporting growth investment, balance sheet optimisation and shareholder returns.