Doha negotiators agree hotline as Trump says US-Iran talks progressing
Technical negotiators focused on implementing the ceasefire framework, sanctions relief and Hormuz arrangements despite lingering regional security tensions.
Geostrategy
GCC asset management reaches $2.7 trillion as retail growth outpaces institutions
Boston Consulting Group says regional asset managers must strengthen distribution capabilities and technology adoption as industry competition intensifies globally.
Business
Business
Forbes lists Emirates Auction CEO among top CMOs
Dubai, UAE -- Omar Matar Al Mannaei, chief executive officer and chief marketing officer of Emirates Auction, has been named...
- AI-powered customer acquisition engine launched in 2025 increased new customer growth by 38%, strengthening Emirates Auction’s market reach.
- Unified analytics and personalization platforms helped lift retention by 14% and brand awareness by 20%, company said.
Geostrategy
GCC youth population tops 23.5m as workforce presence expands
Dubai, UAE -- More than 23.5 million people aged between 15 and 34 lived across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries...
- Employed youth represented more than one-third of the GCC workforce in 2025, reflecting continued labour-market expansion.
- Share of young people outside education, employment or training fell steadily, indicating stronger social and economic participation.
Geostrategy
US and Iran agree to ‘immediate’ end to military operations, will sign MoU in Switzerland
The content of the agreement, which follows weeks of fraught negotiations and periodic threats from Trump of fresh hostilities unless...
- The agreement, brokered with the help of Pakistan, was announced after weeks of conflict between the United States and Iran.
- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that a ceasefire would take effect immediately and said negotiations on a final agreement would continue for 60 days.
Analysis
Dubai property market cools speculation but retains underlying strength
After a record-breaking 2025, the Emirate’s market has found a new level and a new temperament., writes Charles Philion, founder...
- Secondary market activity shrank as purchasers pursued genuine discounts, signalling greater selectivity and tougher negotiations across communities.
- Rising construction costs are emerging as the key risk, potentially affecting project timelines and developer profitability.
Geostrategy
Trump predicts Iran accord to be signed soon, Hormuz to open
Mediators voiced growing optimism that weeks of negotiations were nearing completion, while competing narratives from Washington and Tehran underscored lingering...
- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said a signing date had not yet been determined and indicated an accord would not be signed on Sunday.
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X that the agreement was closer “than ever before” and expected to be finalised within 24 hours.
Geostrategy
Iran says draft accord to end the war could be signed within days
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the proposed framework would address issues including the U.S. naval blockade and the future...
- Araghchi said Tehran wanted any agreement to allow Iran to charge ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz for what he described as services provided during passage.
- Iran introduced a toll system during the conflict, a move the United States and several other countries have argued violates international law.
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.
- It will carry substantially more cargo than conventional LNG carriers while reducing losses during transport.
- Compared with standard 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carriers, the new design offers around 57% more cargo capacity.
Geostrategy
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...
- World Bank is making up to $60 billion available immediately through existing instruments to support affected countries.
- More than 30 countries are working with the institution to strengthen preparedness and enable rapid crisis responses.
Business
Gold heads for weekly loss as Wall Street gains on easing Iran tensions
Dubai, UAE -- Gold prices fell on Friday and were headed for a weekly loss, while major U.S. stock indexes...
- Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose after President Donald Trump withdrew threats of military action against Iran.
- Palladium gained about 5% this week, outperforming other precious metals despite broader weakness across the sector.
Business
Miral, Warner Bros announce two new DC attractions for Yas Island
Dubai, UAE -- Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences have announced two new DC-themed attractions for Warner Bros. World...
- Kryptonite Collider opens in July with a centrifuge-style experience inspired by Lex Luthor's Everyman Project.
- Superman Up and Away, a next-generation flying roller coaster, is targeted for completion in 2028.
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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
Doha negotiators agree hotline as Trump says US-Iran talks progressing
Technical negotiators focused on implementing the ceasefire framework, sanctions relief and Hormuz arrangements despite lingering regional security tensions.
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Saudi tourist spending rises to $22 billion in Q1 despite drop in foreign arrivals
Domestic travel helped sustain Saudi Arabia's tourism sector in the first quarter, with total visitor numbers rising to 37.2 million...
Business
Oman opens temporary Hormuz shipping corridor as efforts intensify to restore maritime traffic
Muscat said the measure was intended to safeguard freedom of navigation in accordance with international maritime law and without imposing...
Geostrategy
UN inquiry says Israeli targeting of Palestinian children points to ‘genocidal intent’ in Gaza
The findings were published by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which said it had found evidence that Palestinian...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
AI to cancer vaccines: Emerging technologies edge closer to large-scale adoption
World Economic Forum's Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report 2026, developed alongside the Dubai Future Foundation, has identified 10 technologies that...
- Advances in healthcare, energy and manufacturing increasingly depend on infrastructure, deployment capacity, regulation and public adoption.
- Among the technologies identified are everything-to-grid energy systems, direct lithium extraction and precision fermentation.
Business
Abu Dhabi new business licenses rise 21% in first quarter, ADRA says
New economic licences issued in Abu Dhabi rose 21% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, reflecting...
- New licences rose 58% in Al Ain and 28% in Al Dhafra, outpacing growth in Abu Dhabi city.
- Thirty-four industrial facilities entered production during the quarter, supporting local manufacturing capacity and supply-chain development goals.
Geostrategy
Iran says it will administer Hormuz as talks make progress on Lebanon security
Mediators Qatar and Pakistan announced the creation of a direct communication channel designed to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and...
- Tehran says Swiss negotiations produced progress on Lebanon, oil sanctions and access to frozen Iranian funds.
- U.S. and Iran establish direct channels aimed at reducing risks around Hormuz and enforcing Lebanon truce.