Iran, US remain at odds over Strait of Hormuz reopening, ending war
Iran’s army chief, General Amir Hatami, said the war with the United States was not over and that Tehran needed...
Geostrategy
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
Economy
MENA emerges as fast-growing global e-trading hub, UAE leads with over half-trillion dollars in volume
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most dynamic retail e-trading markets,...
- The study, Trading’s New Horizon: How Access, Innovation and Ambition Are Fuelling MENA’s E-Trading Boom, draws on two years of data from 62,850 verified traders across the region
- The report notes that MENA traders are young, digitally savvy and highly educated, and nearly 86% are aged 18–44, and 64% hold a university degree—far higher than Europe’s 39%
Business
UAE’s AI Office announces Google Gemini as top model in ‘AI in the Ring’ Index
Dubai, UAE - The UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office announced that Google Gemini has ranked...
- Gemini earned the top ranking following a review of over 400 questions and 5,200 generated responses from 11 major language models
- A Committee of Emirati experts evaluated the outputs to identify which models demonstrated the strongest cultural understanding
Business
GCC countries attract $523.4bn in foreign investment in 2023
Muscat, Oman -- The GCC countries have seen a steady rise in foreign investment, according to data from the Statistical...
- Intra-GCC investments rise to $130 billion, aided by infrastructure, technology improvements, and modern legislation boosting regional business attractiveness.
- Capital markets grow to $4.2 trillion as corporate profits improve and institutional investments continue despite global economic uncertainties.
Geostrategy
Riyadh, Washington seal major defense agreement amid Saudi push for two-state roadmap before Israel normalization
Saudi Crown Prince said that his kingdom wanted to normalize relations with Israel through US President Donald Trump's Abraham Accords,...
- The agreement comes within the framework of the long-standing strategic partnership and the deep-rooted ties that have united the two countries for more than ninety years
- It affirms that Saudi Arabia and the United States are capable security partners, able to work together to confront regional and international challenges and threats.
Business
Emirates orders 65 more Boeing 777X planes despite delays
Dubai, UAE -- Emirates, the Middle East's biggest airline, topped up its order of Boeing 777X planes on Monday despite...
- The order of 65 777-9s, valued at $38nn including engines, came despite last month's announcement that delivery was now due in 2027 -- seven years behind the original schedule.
- Emirates, already the biggest customer for the Boeing 777, now has 270 777X, 10 777 freighters and 35 Boeing 787s on order.
Business
Ring, Lloyds Bank and Snapchat hit by massive internet outage
Lloyds Bank and Halifax’s mobile apps went down for users on Monday after a major outage linked to Amazon Web...
- Dozens of popular websites and apps, including Snapchat, Ring, Fortnite, and Amazon’s own Prime Video, were inaccessible during the blackout
- Lloyds’ website posted a notice saying: “Sorry, we’re unable to process your request at the moment. We are currently having some technical issues.”
Interview
Digital sovereignty Is the new independence, says UAE cybersecurity official
Digital sovereignty, in my view, is no longer a technical concept — it’s a cornerstone of national independence and strategic...
- Digital sovereignty, in my view, is no longer a technical concept — it’s a cornerstone of national independence and strategic stability, says Lt. Colonel Al Shebli in an interview
- The UAE has been forward-thinking in this domain, ensuring that data, platforms, and systems critical to our nation’s wellbeing remain under national jurisdiction. he adds
Geostrategy
Building a secure future: Key takeaways from WEF’s Dubai meetings
The Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity, held jointly with the Global Future Councils, focused on strengthening global cooperation to enhance digital...
- It convened over 500 experts from government, business, civil society and media, together with 150 of the world’s foremost cybersecurity leaders.
- Participants identified key innovations, policies and business models that could drive meaningful and sustainable economic growth.
Geostrategy
Geothermal, desalination: Top 10 solutions for planetary health
Dubai, UAE--Ten transformative technology solutions could change the way the world powers homes, grows food and secures freshwater, according to...
- In 2024, global temperatures stayed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the entire year and current estimates put the world on track for nearing 3°C of warming by 2100.
- Each technology was evaluated through various means including expert nominations, AI trend analysis, peer assessment and analysis of adoption conditions.
Business
WEF’s Dubai Summit tackles existential digital risks
DUBAI, UAE – A powerful confluence of more than 500 experts and 150 cybersecurity leaders has converged in Dubai for...
- The meeting will inform and drive collaborative solutions to shared challenges.
- This year’s meetings will provide much-needed space to navigate uncertainty, decode emerging trends and strengthen resilience.
Iran, US remain at odds over Strait of Hormuz reopening, ending war
Iran’s army chief, General Amir Hatami, said the war with the United States was not over and that Tehran needed...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
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
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...
Geostrategy
Most Read
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