OpenAI limits release of new model after US government request
Dubai, UAE -- ChatGPT developer OpenAI is restricting access to its latest artificial intelligence (AI) model at the request of...
Business
Global equities, gold may extend gains in H2 2026 despite market risks: Standard Chartered
UAE and Middle East investors remain supported by stable oil markets, easing geopolitical risk premiums and strong liquidity, the bank...
Business
Business
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...
- International visitors generated SAR48 billion, nearly 60% of total tourism spending despite representing just one-fifth of travelers.
- More than 105,000 hotel rooms are scheduled for delivery by 2030 as Saudi Arabia expands tourism infrastructure.
Business
Gold prices fall 1 percent on Fed rate rise expectations, gold edges higher
Brent crude futures rose 24 cents, or 0.38%, to $78.15 a barrel by 0026 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate...
- The gains followed a selloff of more than 3% on Monday, when oil prices fell after signs of progress in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
- Spot gold was down 1.1% at $4,142.61 an ounce as of 0414 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for August delivery fell 1% to $4,160.20.
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.
Economy
Bain identifies four priorities for sovereign wealth funds as assets approach $30 trillion
State-backed investors are expanding beyond traditional investment models, increasing exposure to alternatives, AI and direct deals while balancing returns with...
- Top 10 sovereign wealth funds hold more than 75% of global assets.
- Sovereign wealth funds reached about $15 trillion in assets under management in 2025.
Business
Saudi Arabia cuts US Treasury holdings by $9.5 billion in April
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia reduced its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities by $9.5 billion in April to $140.1 billion,...
- The decline followed a sharp increase earlier this year that had lifted Saudi holdings to a six-year high of $160.4 billion in February.
- Since then, the kingdom has pared back its exposure, largely through reductions in Treasury bills and other short-dated securities.
Business
Saudi tourist arrivals rise to 122.6 million in 2025, spending hits $81 billion
The growth was driven primarily by domestic travel, which reached 93.3 million tourists, up 8.3% from 2024, while inbound visitor...
- Leisure and holiday travel attracted 7 million visitors, while visits to friends and relatives totaled 4.4 million. Business travel rose 14% to 2.3 million visitors.
- Hospitality capacity expanded sharply, with licensed rooms rising 25.4% as tourism's contribution to GDP edged higher.
Business
AD Ports launches UAE-Iraq integrated logistics service
Dubai, UAE -- AD Ports Group has launched an integrated logistics service linking the UAE's Khalifa Port with Iraq's Umm...
- Weekly shipping link targets growing container and Ro-Ro traffic moving between Iraq, the UAE and neighbouring markets.
- Enhanced logistics capabilities at both ports aim to improve cargo handling efficiency and long-term supply chain resilience.
Business
Abu Dhabi climbs global startup rankings on AI and tech growth
The emirate was ranked in the #41-50 category globally, improving from the #51-60 range a year earlier and marking one...
- The report highlighted the role of Hub71 in supporting founders and technology companies as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its position as a global innovation hub.
- The report, unveiled at the VivaTech conference in Paris, analyzed data from more than 5.5 million companies across over 350 entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.
Business
Gold extends winning streak as oil and dollar weaken
The U.S. Dollar Index fell to 99.53, giving back part of the gains it had recently recorded on safe-haven demand....
- Other precious metals also moved higher. Spot silver gained 0.3% to $70.38 an ounce, platinum rose 0.5% to $1,812.80, and palladium added 0.3% to $1,355.65.
- Brent crude futures fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.80 a barrel by 0340 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $75.80 a barrel.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s residential market weakens in Q1 despite price gains
The slowdown was most pronounced in Riyadh, where transaction volumes and values dropped 82% from a year earlier. Activity also...
- Residential transaction volumes fell 50% year-on-year to 29,490 deals during the quarter, while the value of transactions declined 57% to SAR22 billion ($5.9 billion).
- Riyadh Grade A office occupancy held at 97%, supported by limited supply of high-quality workspace.
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OpenAI limits release of new model after US government request
Dubai, UAE -- ChatGPT developer OpenAI is restricting access to its latest artificial intelligence (AI) model at the request of...
Business
Company News
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Musk kicks Kanye West off Twitter for ‘incitement to violence’
West has made a series of anti-Semitic comments recently, as the one-time titan of fashion and music appears to have...
Oman sees hospitality industry revenue fall 3.5%
The National Centre for Statistics and Information says domestic guest have supported the Oman's hotels.
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination, PCR test needed to enter Expo Dubai
Expo 2020 visitors will need a coronavirus vaccination or a negative PCR test to enter, organisers in Dubai has said....
Cyberattack hits hundreds of US businesses
A US IT company urges customers to shut down their servers after the attack UN Security Council members recently warned...
Saudi Arabia to generate $150 billion in investments from its new transport policy
The government would provide thirty-five percent of the investments The rest of it, sixty-five percent, will come from the private...
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...
Business
Bain identifies four priorities for sovereign wealth funds as assets approach $30 trillion
State-backed investors are expanding beyond traditional investment models, increasing exposure to alternatives, AI and direct deals while balancing returns with...
Economy
Saudi Arabia cuts US Treasury holdings by $9.5 billion in April
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia reduced its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities by $9.5 billion in April to $140.1 billion,...
Business
Most Read
Business
AD Ports launches UAE-Iraq integrated logistics service
Dubai, UAE -- AD Ports Group has launched an integrated logistics service linking the UAE's Khalifa Port with Iraq's Umm...
- Weekly shipping link targets growing container and Ro-Ro traffic moving between Iraq, the UAE and neighbouring markets.
- Enhanced logistics capabilities at both ports aim to improve cargo handling efficiency and long-term supply chain resilience.
Business
Abu Dhabi climbs global startup rankings on AI and tech growth
The emirate was ranked in the #41-50 category globally, improving from the #51-60 range a year earlier and marking one...
- The report highlighted the role of Hub71 in supporting founders and technology companies as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its position as a global innovation hub.
- The report, unveiled at the VivaTech conference in Paris, analyzed data from more than 5.5 million companies across over 350 entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.
Business
Gold extends winning streak as oil and dollar weaken
The U.S. Dollar Index fell to 99.53, giving back part of the gains it had recently recorded on safe-haven demand....
- Other precious metals also moved higher. Spot silver gained 0.3% to $70.38 an ounce, platinum rose 0.5% to $1,812.80, and palladium added 0.3% to $1,355.65.
- Brent crude futures fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.80 a barrel by 0340 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $75.80 a barrel.