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
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
Geostrategy
Iran floats 30-day roadmap to end conflict; Trump signals scepticism
Iran has put forward a fresh 14-point proposal to the United States, calling for a resolution of tensions within 30...
- The proposal comes as a counter to a previously reported nine-point framework from the US and seeks to move beyond the current ceasefire toward a more permanent settlement
- The fragile truce between Iran and Israel, brokered with US involvement, has held for now, but Washington has already rejected an earlier Iranian attempt to end the war
Geostrategy
Riyadh Emerges as Escape Hub for Super-Rich Fleeing UAE After Iran Strikes
With airspace across parts of the Middle East locked down and thousands of flights cancelled or delayed, King Khalid International...
- According to reports, billionaires and senior executives have been leaving Dubai and Abu Dhabi after Iranian drones and missiles targeted multiple locations
- With airspace across parts of the Middle East locked down and thousands of flights cancelled, King Khalid International Airport remains one of the few hubs still operating
Geostrategy
UK withdraws Tehran embassy staff as Trump weighs Iran strikes; JD Vance says “no chance” of long war
Reports suggest some of Trump’s advisers would prefer Israel to initiate any strike, calculating that American public opinion would be...
- The UK government confirmed it had taken “the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw UK staff from Iran,” adding that its embassy would continue to operate remotely
- At the same time, the US has asked non-emergency staff and family members at its embassy in Jerusalem to leave Israel, reflecting broader fears of regional escalation
Geostrategy
Iran, US hold indirect nuclear talks in Geneva amid rising military tensions
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the negotiations as “very intensive” and said there were “constructive proposals” concerning both...
- The talks are being mediated by Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman, which has long acted as a channel between Tehran and Washington
- At the same time, the U.S. has deployed additional warships and aircraft to the region, raising fears of possible military escalation if diplomacy fails
Geostrategy
India to US: 8 nations issue Middle East travel advisories amid Iran tensions
Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations,...
- Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations, citing security concerns
- The advisories reflect growing concern over regional instability, with governments seeking to safeguard their nationals as geopolitical tensions intensify
Geostrategy
Middle East tensions rise as Iran eyes Chinese anti-ship missiles amid Trump warning
Negotiations between Tehran and Beijing began at least two years ago but gained momentum after a 12-day conflict between Israel...
- The proposed agreement centres on the Chinese-made CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles, which reportedly have a range of around 290 kilometres
- Designed to fly low and fast to evade shipborne defence systems, the missiles could substantially enhance Iran’s maritime strike capabilities
Business
Six Middle East cafés feature in the world’s 100 best coffee shops 2026 list
Six coffee shops from the Middle East have secured places in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 list, highlighting...
- The United Arab Emirates led the region with two cafés making the Top 100, reinforcing its position as a fast-expanding specialty coffee hub
- Qatar and Oman achieved their first-ever entries in the global ranking, while Turkey’s Meet Lab Coffee returned to the list
Geostrategy
US-Iran talks set for Geneva amid military buildup
The renewed diplomacy comes as Washington has deployed two aircraft carriers, additional jets and ships, and reinforced air defenses across...
- A previous diplomatic effort was derailed last year by Israeli air strikes on Iran, triggering a 12-day conflict in June that briefly drew in US forces targeting Iranian facilities
- The security situation has led several countries — including Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia — to urge their citizens to leave Iran.
Geostrategy
Israel plans ‘Hexagon Alliance’ in Mediterranean, Middle East to counter hostile regional blocs
Speaking ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu outlined a plan to establish what he called a “hexagon alliance system”...
- Netanyahu outlined a plan to form a “hexagon alliance” involving India, select Arab and African countries, Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and unnamed Asian nations
- “In the vision I see before me, we will form a ‘hexagon alliance system’ around or within Middle East,” Netanyahu said, adding that further details would be shared in due course
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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
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Biden, Kadhemi meeting to focus on US troop withdrawal from Iraq
The White House talks between the two allies come just a week after a deadly attack claimed by the Islamic...
Qatar takes key step to control own airspace
Qatar said on Tuesday that it has been given a preliminary green light by a UN body on a proposal...
Dubai authorities probe Jebel Ali Port blast
Dubai authorities were Thursday investigating an explosion on a container ship carrying flammable materials which unleashed a fireball at one...
UAE consumers prefer online motor insurance
74% of the customers buy car insurance online in the UAE More than 90% of the consumers review car insurance...
Saudi suspends UAE flights due to virus variant
Saudi Arabia has suspended flights to three countries, including the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, to protect against a coronavirus variant,...
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
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...
Opinion
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...
Geostrategy
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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
Geostrategy
Iran floats 30-day roadmap to end conflict; Trump signals scepticism
Iran has put forward a fresh 14-point proposal to the United States, calling for a resolution of tensions within 30...
- The proposal comes as a counter to a previously reported nine-point framework from the US and seeks to move beyond the current ceasefire toward a more permanent settlement
- The fragile truce between Iran and Israel, brokered with US involvement, has held for now, but Washington has already rejected an earlier Iranian attempt to end the war