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...
Interview
Ajman records $808 million in real estate transactions in September
Ajman, UAE -- Real estate transactions in Ajman reached AED 2.97 billion in September, achieving a remarkable growth of 53...
Business
Economy
From Iran Talks to Dubai Metro: Key Middle East Developments You Need to Know on June 10, 2025
Key developments across the Middle East today highlight regional diplomatic, economic and humanitarian trends
- Sheikh Mohammed launches 30km expansion featuring world's highest metro station (74m) to serve growing population
- After 12-year exclusion, Damascus prepares to reconnect to global banking network to formalize trade
Economy
Key MENA trends: M&A surge to five-year high, Saudi port activity rises in May
Qatar's foreign reserves rise 3.6 percent year-on-year despite a dip in bonds and treasury holdings, Iraq releases Australian and Egyptian...
- Egypt and Turkey continue their coordination on ceasefire efforts and humanitarian aid, as diplomatic momentum struggles against on-ground escalation.
- The ICRC has warned that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with medical infrastructure under increasing strain from ongoing hostilities.
Economy
MENA Outlook: Diversification, AI, and economic integration take centre stage
As the region pivots toward a post-oil future, recent developments across the Middle East and North Africa suggest an accelerating...
- Saudi government announced a $5.6 billion fertilizer JV between SABIC and Aramco, while also adopting new green building codes to reduce emissions
- From launching the world’s first AI-powered media council to streamlining family business, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reinventing the regulatory ecosystem to attract global capital
Economy
IMF upgrades Saudi real GDP growth forecast to 6% in 2025, up from
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upwards its forecast for Saudi Arabia's economic growth to...
- This adjustment from earlier estimates reflects the impact of extended oil production cuts and a slower-than-expected rebound in oil output.
- The IMF anticipates that inflation will remain contained, with an average annual rate holding steady at 2.1 percent in 2025 and easing slightly to 2 percent the following year.
Geostrategy
New WEF report reveals how tech convergence will reshape industries
Geneva, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum today released a new report examining how emerging technology combinations are reshaping industries...
- AI is a key enabler, making many emerging tech synergies commercially viable across industries.
- Digital twins, enhanced by AI and sensors, are expanding efficiency in sectors from aerospace to healthcare.
Business
Cross-border deals fuel M&A surge in MENA region in Q1 2025
Dubai, UAE -- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has kicked off 2025 with a remarkable surge in...
- Cross-border deals were the primary engine behind this growth, accounting for 52 percent of the total deal volume (117 deals) and 81% of the total deal value ($37.3bn).
- The UAE cemented its position as the top target country for M&A activity in Q1 2025, attracting 63 deals totaling a substantial $20.3 billion.
Geostrategy
With AI and more shade, Saudi Arabia set for a searing hajj
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than...
- Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities.
- This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks.
Business
Dubai Airport tops air connectivity ranking for Asia-Pacific and Middle East
Dubai, UAE - Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again secured the top spot in the Airports Council International’s (ACI)...
- Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the recognition as a testament to the airport’s strategic importance in global aviation
- Griffiths highlighted that DXB’s strength lies not only in the scale of its operations but also in the reliability and quality of its services
Business
Saudi Arabia unveils ‘Colour Your Summer’ program, targeting 41 million visitors
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is poised for an unprecedented summer season, with the official launch of...
- It brings together over 120 partners from across Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem, including both public and private sectors, to offer an unparalleled array of experiences.
- Major events include the highly anticipated Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh from July to August, alongside dynamic Jeddah and Aseer Seasons.
Business
ADNOC Drilling secures $1.15bn contract
The contract for two jack-up rigs begins in the second quarter.
- The rigs are expected to commence operations around the end of 2Q 2025, delivering revenue in the second half of 2025 onwards.
- This award further de-risks and reaffirms ADNOC Drilling’s current 2025 and medium-term guidance, the company said.
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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
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...
Interview
Company News
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Creators HQ attracts 2,415 active members from 147 countries with combined following of over 2 billion
Dubai, UAE – Creators HQ, the first headquarters for content creators in the UAE and the Middle East, has seen...
Economy
UAE Cyber Security Council: Over 12,000 Wi-Fi breaches recorded in UAE since start of year
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned of the serious risks posed by using open...
Science
Creators HQ attracts 2,415 active members from 147 countries
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai’s Creator HQ, the first headquarters for content creators in the UAE and the Middle East, has...
Business
Most Read
Geostrategy
ATP and Saudi Arabia’s PIF launch new tennis tech platform
NEW YORK and RIYADH — The ATP Tour, in a landmark partnership with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has unveiled...
- Next-generation analytics platform set to revolutionize player performance and level the playing field across all levels of the sport.
- Groundbreaking partnership with PIF accelerates the development and scale of ATP Tennis IQ, ushering in a new era of data-driven excellence.
Science
Austrian university develops technique to renew buildings without demolition
Vienna, Austria - A research team from Graz University of Technology in Austria has succeeded in developing an innovative fastening...
- The system enables the connection and disassembly of building components with ease, allowing the separation of long-term structural elements from shorter-lived components
- The project won the gold medal in the scientific research competition under the sustainability category and is regarded as a pioneering step towards smart construction
Economy
US developers report half of new electric generating capacity will come from solar
Washington, United States - Developers added 12 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale solar electric generating capacity in the United States...
- Battery storage, wind, and natural gas power plants account for virtually all the remaining capacity additions for 2025, the survey noted
- About 27% (3.2 GW) of the solar capacity added so far in 2025 is in Texas, and developers plan to bring another 9.7 GW of solar online in Texas in the second half of this year