Dubai population rises 7.5 percent to 4.58 million in 2025
Dubai's population grew 7.5 percent to more than 4.58 million by the end of 2025, fuelled by economic expansion and...
Geostrategy
Al Rajhi Bank becomes AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 regional partner
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank has been named an exclusive regional partner of the AFC Asian Cup...
Geostrategy
Business
Dubai to award $15bn of Al Maktoum Airport projects by end-2026
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai plans to award strategic contracts worth more than AED55 billion ($15 billion) for the expansion of...
- Contracts worth AED13 billion are under execution, with more than 10 million work hours completed over 15 months.
- Dubai plans to award projects exceeding AED55 billion, including terminals, concourses, transport systems and infrastructure works.
Business
Riyadh Air adds five routes as first Dreamliners arrive
The expansion marks an early test of Saudi Arabia's ambition to build Riyadh into a major international aviation hub.
- London flights have been brought forward by three weeks after aircraft arrived earlier than expected.
- The carrier aims to serve more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.
Economy
Energy costs push OECD inflation to highest level this year
Dubai, UAE -- Annual inflation across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) accelerated to 4.4% in April from...
- Energy inflation reached 13.2% across the OECD, with 31 member countries reporting higher energy costs during April.
- U.S. inflation rose to its highest level since May 2023, while Britain's core inflation fell to four-year lows.
Geostrategy
Trump signs order allowing US Govt access to AI models before public release
The measure establishes a new cybersecurity clearinghouse involving federal agencies and industry partners, reflecting growing concerns about advanced AI systems'...
- Companies may voluntarily provide government access to advanced AI models for cybersecurity testing up to 30 days pre-release.
- Debate within Trump's administration highlighted tensions between AI safety concerns and maintaining competitiveness against China.
Geostrategy
Trump says Israel, Hezbollah agree to halt hostilities; Lebanon says deal could expand nationwide
Beirut was bracing for a possible Israeli bombardment on Monday after Israel announced plans to strike the city's southern suburbs,...
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to attack the southern outskirts of Beirut, known as Dahiya, a Hezbollah stronghold
- Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, warned that Tehran would not tolerate blockade of the Strait of Hormuz or Israeli military action in Lebanon
Opinion
Inside the UAE’s integrated approach to food security
Professor Tareq Osaili, Vice Dean, College of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sharjah, says the...
- UAE investments in logistics, food manufacturing, and global partnerships strengthened resilience against post-pandemic supply chain disruptions worldwide.
- Stable ingredients with longer shelf life help reduce food waste across households, restaurants, and large-scale food service operations.
Geostrategy
US, Israel planned Ahmadinejad return in Iran regime change bid: report
Israeli and US officials had initially viewed former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential figure to lead Iran following...
- The report, published by the nytimes on Tuesday, said the plan was part of a broader Israeli effort aimed at regime change in Iran after Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iran’s
- The newspaper reported that Israeli planners had identified Ahmadinejad as that figure, despite his long record of anti-Israel and anti-American rhetoric
Geostrategy
Pakistan encouraging US-Iran talks but says ‘time is of the essence’
Pakistan is continuing to play a behind-the-scenes diplomatic role between the United States and Iran as tensions remain high over...
- The communication channels between the two sides remain active at a crucial moment, coinciding with the Pakistani interior minister’s two-day visit to Tehran
- Pakistan has encouraged both sides to continue negotiations but has also warned that “time is of the essence.”
Geostrategy
Trump says Xi wants Hormuz Strait reopened amid Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened, following talks between the two...
- Trump said both leaders agreed that the strategically important shipping route should remain open as tensions in the Gulf continue to impact oil markets worldwide
- “He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open,” Trump said of Xi. “He said if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help.”
Geostrategy
US slaps fresh sanctions on China-linked firms over Iran missile program
The United States on Friday announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting people and companies in China, Hong Kong, Belarus,...
- The sanctions come as tensions continue to rise in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing clashes between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz
- The measures are aimed at disrupting Iran’s military industrial supply chain and restricting its access to materials required to build drones and missiles
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
Dubai population rises 7.5 percent to 4.58 million in 2025
Dubai's population grew 7.5 percent to more than 4.58 million by the end of 2025, fuelled by economic expansion and...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
UAE ranks first in Arab world, 11th globally in Global Knowledge Index
Qatar was at the 38th place, Saudi Arabia at 40, Kuwait (48), Oman (52), and Bahrain (55) in the Global...
Oman sees hospitality industry revenue fall 3.5%
The National Centre for Statistics and Information says domestic guest have supported the Oman's hotels.
Cyclone Shaheen kills four in Oman; UAE, Saudi on alert
Tropical Cyclone Shaheen bore down on Oman on Sunday, killing at least three people, and authorities urged residents to evacuate...
12 die in Saudi Arabia from Covid as infection lingers
Twelve people have died in Saudi Arabia from COVID-19, taking the total count of people having succumbed to the disease...
Saudi officials seize a big load of drugs at border with Jordan
A consignment of two million illegal pills was seized by the Saudi authorities along the kingdom’s border with Jordan. The...
Energy costs push OECD inflation to highest level this year
Dubai, UAE -- Annual inflation across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) accelerated to 4.4% in April from...
Economy
Trump signs order allowing US Govt access to AI models before public release
The measure establishes a new cybersecurity clearinghouse involving federal agencies and industry partners, reflecting growing concerns about advanced AI systems'...
Geostrategy
Trump says Israel, Hezbollah agree to halt hostilities; Lebanon says deal could expand nationwide
Beirut was bracing for a possible Israeli bombardment on Monday after Israel announced plans to strike the city's southern suburbs,...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
US, Israel planned Ahmadinejad return in Iran regime change bid: report
Israeli and US officials had initially viewed former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential figure to lead Iran following...
- The report, published by the nytimes on Tuesday, said the plan was part of a broader Israeli effort aimed at regime change in Iran after Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iran’s
- The newspaper reported that Israeli planners had identified Ahmadinejad as that figure, despite his long record of anti-Israel and anti-American rhetoric
Geostrategy
Pakistan encouraging US-Iran talks but says ‘time is of the essence’
Pakistan is continuing to play a behind-the-scenes diplomatic role between the United States and Iran as tensions remain high over...
- The communication channels between the two sides remain active at a crucial moment, coinciding with the Pakistani interior minister’s two-day visit to Tehran
- Pakistan has encouraged both sides to continue negotiations but has also warned that “time is of the essence.”
Geostrategy
Trump says Xi wants Hormuz Strait reopened amid Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened, following talks between the two...
- Trump said both leaders agreed that the strategically important shipping route should remain open as tensions in the Gulf continue to impact oil markets worldwide
- “He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open,” Trump said of Xi. “He said if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help.”