Kuwait’s annual inflation rises 2.19 percent in June
Dubai, UAE -- Kuwait's consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, increased by 2.19% year-on-year at the end...
Business
Saudi Arabia rises to 13th in global competitiveness rankings
The Kingdom ranked 13th out of 70 economies assessed in the annual report, improving from 17th place a year earlier...
Economy
Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Geostrategy
Economy
UAE builds resilient economy outpacing skeptics and shocks
From the 1980s onward, the federal government and individual emirates launched broader diversification and liberalization programs to reduce reliance on...
- Decades of strategic diversification, agile governance and private-sector dynamism have turned the UAE into a global benchmark for sustainable growth
- From the oil windfalls of the 1970s to today’s AI-driven economy, the UAE’s long-term vision is delivering fiscal strength, investor confidence and global relevance
Economy
US launches pact for AI supply chains with key Asia-Pacific allies to face China
The United States signed an agreement on the supply chains with key Asia-Pacific allies concerned about China's growing clout --...
- Dubbed the "Pax Silica," adapting the Latin terms for peace and silicon, a key material in AI, the partnership aims to secure supply chains
- China has quickly taken a dominant position in the race for resources in the fast-growing area of artificial intelligence, mining around 70 percent of key rare earths
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%
Economy
Qatar’s economic momentum accelerates as diversification gains global recognition
However, Qatar faces downside risks from a deeper global economic slowdown that could weaken energy demand and LNG prices amid...
- World Bank, Standard Chartered, and Moody’s highlight Qatar’s resilience, strong GDP outlook, and rising non-hydrocarbon strength
- Backed by digital transformation, AI investment, and stable credit ratings, Qatar’s non-oil sectors lead regional growth
Economy
Saudi powers forward with deficit spending to fund diversification of its oil-dependent economy
Saudi Arabia greenlit its 2026 budget Tuesday, projecting a deficit of 165 billion riyals ($44 billion) as the kingdom presses...
- The Arab world's largest economy is overseeing a major push to slash its dependence on oil revenues, with officials pouring billions into projects to attract investment and tourism
- The budget figures will be keenly watched by energy industry experts, with the hopes of gleaning insights into where Saudi Arabia expects oil revenues to head in the near future
Economy
Kuwait rises on the strength of collaboration: Airlines deal and sweeping reforms fuel economic revival
In addition, Kuwait hosted a major joint meeting between the GCC and the United Kingdom in October focused on a...
- As S&P upgrades Kuwait’s credit rating and non-oil sectors surge, the country’s 2025 policy strategy proves that collaboration can be a catalyst for long-term sustainable growth
- Major fiscal reforms, new regional agreements, and a booming non-oil economy position Kuwait for stronger investment flows and renewed global confidence
Economy
How China leveraged its rare earths dominance over the US in tariff war
China's stranglehold on the rare earths industry -- from natural reserves and mining through processing and innovation -- is the...
- Rare earths are crucial for the defence sector -- used in fighter jets, missile guidance systems and radar technology -- while also having a range of uses in everyday products
- At a high-stakes meeting in South Korea late last month, Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to a one-year truce in tariff war between the world's top two economies
Arts & Culture
Fake AI videos have a new generation loving 1980s life
New York, United States - "The 1980s are calling," a teenager with a throwback hairstyle tells viewers as "Everybody Wants...
- The fake montage -- entirely generated using artificial intelligence -- has racked up more than 600,000 "likes" on Instagram and is part of an internet fad known as "AI nostalgia."
- The soft-focused fantasy land comes thanks to generative AI tools like OpenAI's Sora, Google's Veo or Luma AI's Ray that enable creation of strikingly realistic videos
Geostrategy
G20 summit opens in South Africa without Trump
The Johannesburg gathering is being attended by a host of world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister...
- Trump is boycotting, with his government saying South Africa's priorities -- notably boosting global cooperation on trade and climate action -- run counter to US policy.
- Despite the headwinds, host South Africa was projecting optimism that it would get backing for its G20 aims to reduce economic inequalities, shrink debt for low-income countries
Economy
China’s consumer prices rose in Oct, reversing stagnation
Beijing has struggled to maintain a strong economic recovery from the pandemic, as it fights a debt crisis in its...
- The consumer price index, a key measure of inflation, rose 0.2 percent year-on-year last month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
- Consumer prices were stagnant in July followed by two months of decline.
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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
Kuwait’s annual inflation rises 2.19 percent in June
Dubai, UAE -- Kuwait's consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, increased by 2.19% year-on-year at the end...
Business
Company News
Latest News
UAE Central Bank to hold rate after Fed pause amid regional tensions
Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled a cautious approach, noting that elevated energy prices and geopolitical tensions could complicate the inflation...
Economy
Financial frauds cost global economy over $442bn in 2025: INTERPOL
AI-enhanced fraud is 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. “Agentic AI” systems can autonomously plan and execute complete fraud...
Geostrategy
G7 ministers consider oil reserves as markets face volatility
In a statement following a virtual meeting with International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol, the ministers said they...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Opinion
The shift from innovative to native: Unlocking where real AI value lies
There are, of course, technical hurdles to overcome, too, one of which is modernizing legacy systems. Many enterprises still operate...
Interview
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph Melis
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets are characterized by rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and a...
- The real shift is that AI becomes the interface. Users no longer need technical knowledge or experience navigating complex systems.
- They simply prompt their way forward—asking natural-language questions and receiving accurate comparisons, recommendations, and insights instantly.
Interview
Dubai moves from importing innovation to exporting it, says Future Solutions Head
Dubai’s innovation ecosystem is entering a new phase, argues Amer Abdulraoof, Head of Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity,...
- Dubai Future Solutions connects student innovators with government, industry and investors, offering year-round support until technologies are validated and ready for funding.
- The program evaluates submissions based on global impact, depth of academic research, and effective use of technology to address social or environmental challenges.