G42 and Santander sign strategic AI partnership
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42 and Spanish banking giant Santander have signed a memorandum of understanding...
Business
SpaceX IPO valuation raises concerns over investor demand
SpaceX’s planned initial public offering at a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion is emerging as a major test of...
Business
Business
Global passenger demand grows 4% in July: IATA
GENEVA, 31st August 2025 (WAM) -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Sunday that global passenger demand grew by...
- Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 4.4 percent year-on-year.
- Capacity was up 5.8 percent year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.6 percent (-0.4 ppt compared to July 2024).
Economy
China manufacturing shrinks in August despite new US trade truce
Beijing, China -- China's factory output ticked up in August but still recorded a fifth straight month of contraction, official...
- The Purchasing Managers' Index -- a key measure of industrial output -- was 49.4, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said, up slightly from 49.3 in July.
- The last time China recorded a figure above 50 -- indicating growth -- was in March.
Business
UAE continues to attract major global companies for new headquarters
Dubai, UAE -- The United Arab Emirates has continued to attract global companies looking to establish regional or global headquarters....
- This trend is supported by the country's legislative and digital infrastructure, as well as its strategic location.
- A report from the Kearney Foundation ranked the UAE second among emerging markets in its "FDI Confidence Index 2025."
Science
New wave: Sea power turned into energy at Los Angeles port
San Pedro, United States -- Floating blue paddles dance on the waves that lap a dock in the Port of Los...
- Floating paddles on a dock move with the waves, causing hydraulic pistons to push a fluid.
- The pressurized fluid then spins a turbine to generate electricity.
Business
ADNOC completes $316 million sale of ADNOC L&S shares
ABU DHABI – Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has sold a 3 percent stake in its logistics and shipping...
- The placement of 222 million shares to institutional investors was significantly oversubscribed by seven times within a four-hour accelerated bookbuild.
- The transaction, priced at AED 5.25 per share, will increase ADNOC L&S’s free float to 22 percent, a key step toward achieving MSCI index inclusion.
Business
Labubu fans flock to stores after launch of mini dolls
Beijing, China -- A dozen furry dolls strung together on a metal chain dangled from Labubu fan Maki Li's neck...
- Made by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, the fanged creatures have taken the world by storm, adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa.
- Last month, commerce minister Wang Wentao used the toothy-grinned dolls as an example of "new forms of consumption.
Ajman records real-estate deals worth $381 million in July
Ajman, UAE -- Real estate transactions valued at AED 1.48 billion ($381 million) were recorded in Ajman in July 2025....
- Commercial properties accounted for the largest share of the total valuation value at AED943 million.
- Residential properties amounted t AED198 million, while industrial properties ranked third with a total of AED336 million.
Economy
Saudi non-oil exports increase by 17.8 percent in second quarter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rose by 17.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025, according to...
- The increase included a 46.2 percent rise in re-exports, while national non-oil exports excluding re-exports grew by 5.6 percent.
- In Q2 2025, a 15.8 percent decline in oil exports dragged total merchandise exports down by 7.3 percent year-on-year.
Business
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...
- The initiative aims to position the UAE as a global hub for the content economy, with a target of 10,000 creators in its next phase.
- The headquarters also reports that 78 global content companies from 24 countries have relocated to the UAE.
Business
Buraidah date carnival boosts Saudi tourism and economy
Buraidah, Saudi Arabia -- The Buraidah Date Carnival witnessed growing economic and tourism activity, making it a key destination for...
- The event combined morning date auctions with a variety of cultural and entertainment activities held in the evening at the King Khalid Cultural Center.
- The carnival offered visitors the chance to explore Buraidah’s historical and cultural landmarks through tourist bus tours.
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G42 and Santander sign strategic AI partnership
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42 and Spanish banking giant Santander have signed a memorandum of understanding...
Business
Company News
Latest News
GCC startups will surprise the world by building culture-first tech
Snap’s regional chief Hussein Freijeh outlines growth plans across MENA and APAC in an interview with TRENDS, highlighting startups, creators...
Interview
Most Read
Business
UAE launches first 7-year Islamic Treasury Sukuk worth $150 million
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE Ministry of Finance said on Sunday it had launched its first-ever seven-year tranche of...
- The new tranche attracted strong demand amounting to approximately 3.1 billion dirhams, nearly six times the issuance size.
- Total bids reached 5.88 billion dirhams, representing an oversubscription ratio of 5.3 times.
Business
Abu Dhabi records real estate deals worth $38.7 billion in 2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi’s real estate market recorded transactions worth a record AED 142 billion ($38.7 billion) in...
- Sales and purchase transactions totalled $27.1 billion from 25,604 deals, while mortgage activity accounted for $11.6 billion across 17,210 transactions.
- Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector reached $2.2 billion in 2025, up 13 percent from the previous year.
Interview
Startups need more than funding: they need an ecosystem
Drew Propson, Head of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services at the World Economic Forum, explains how sustainable growth, AI...
- The UAE’s Vision 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030 are clear calls to action that outline not just ambition, but execution.
- The third quarter 2025 marked the fourth consecutive quarter with over $90 billion in funding, something not seen since early 2022.