Khamenei signals Iran control over Strait of Hormuz, rejects US role
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a strong statement asserting that the United States should have no role...
Geostrategy
Trump claims Iran in ‘state of collapse’, says Tehran wants blockade lifted
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is in a “state of collapse” and said Tehran has approached Washington...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
UNRWA warns Israel’s West Bank operation aligns with annexation ‘vision’
The Israeli operation, which the military says targets militants in the northern West Bank, was launched shortly after a truce...
- Israeli forces carry out regular raids targeting militants in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, but the ongoing operation since late January is already the longest in two decades
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said troops would remain for many months in the evacuated camps to "prevent the return of residents and the resurgence of terrorism."
Geostrategy
Hamas says Trump’s ‘DEAD’ threat to Gaza undermines ceasefire
"Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you...
- Trump said later he was "sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job" as his administration expedites billions of dollars in weapons.
- "These threats complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement and encourage the occupation to avoid implementing its terms," said Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasim.
Interview
Building futuristic sustainable urban cities starts from the underground up
Underground innovation, digitization, and AI are vital for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future cities, says Sam Wiffen, director and founder...
- By 2050, the population of the world’s cities is expected to double from the World Bank’s current estimate of 4.4 billion people.
- Modern citizens are increasingly dissatisfied with urban living characterized by overcrowding, noise pollution, environmental challenges, poor infrastructure, inadequate responses.
Geostrategy
Arab leaders propose Gaza reconstruction under Palestinian Authority, reject Trump’s takeover plan
The prospect of the Palestinian Authority (PA) governing Gaza remains far from certain, however, with Israel having ruled out any...
- Tuesday's Arab League summit in Cairo offered an alternative with the adoption of a "comprehensive Arab plan."
- It announced the establishment of a trust fund to pay for the territory's reconstruction, and urged the international community to back it
Opinion
New-Age Growth Comes Home to the GCC
The region, fueled by ambition and massive investment, is rapidly advancing in technology and infrastructure, aiming to secure a leading...
- The GCC’s ongoing “giga” projects, economic diversification, focus on the digital economy, and emerging technologies all signal a promising future.
- With over US$2 trillion invested in capital-intensive projects, the GCC’s future looks increasingly secure, despite persistent negative portrayals in parts of the Western media.
Geostrategy
Arab leaders meet to hash out Gaza plan as Hamas urges against displacement under Trump plan
A draft version of the Egyptian plan seen by AFP lays out a five-year roadmap with a price tag of...
- Trump triggered global outrage when he first floated his idea for the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip and turn it into the "Riviera of the Middle East"
- Trump has recently appeared to soften his stance, saying he was "not forcing" the plan, which experts have said could violate international law
Analysis
The future is already here
Humanity is on a tech-fueled trajectory. Data and informed predictions are inspiring, showing how AI is reshaping economies, smart cities...
- The global travel and tourism industry is projected to contribute over $15 trillion annually to the world economy by 2030.
- By 2035, 60% of the city traffic and emissions can be reduced thanks to shared autonomous electric vehicles.
Geostrategy
Trump orders pause to Ukraine aid: White House official
President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine on Monday, a US official told AFP, sharply escalating pressure on Kyiv...
- The move comes just days after a stunning public clash at the White House between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump
- We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution, said a White House official
Geostrategy
Gazans face food shortages, price hikes as Israel blocks aid amid ceasefire negotiations stalemate
Despite ceasefire negotiations, Gaza’s humanitarian situation remains critical, with markets facing inflation, displaced residents lacking proper shelter, and aid workers...
- Humanitarian groups warn that the aid suspension is worsening an already dire crisis in Gaza.
- Hamas official claims Israel allowed only 15 out of 65,000 promised mobile homes into Gaza
Geostrategy
Future of Humanity – TRENDS’ yearly Special Issue now online
Dubai, UAE -- TRENDS’ yearly Special Issue is out. This year’s edition, titled Future of Humanity, explores key global shifts...
- The edition delves into transformative themes such as GCC’s leadership in urbanization, smart cities, and logistics, as well as the role of AI in reshaping healthcare and finance.
- It also highlights cultural diplomacy, the evolving digital economy, and the power of travel in shaping the human experience.
Most Read
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
Khamenei signals Iran control over Strait of Hormuz, rejects US role
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a strong statement asserting that the United States should have no role...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Israel declares ceasefire, begins troops pullback and Gazans start returning home
After two years of brutal war, the families of Israel's remaining hostages in the territory were also hoping the truce...
Geostrategy
Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado dedicates award to Trump
Caracas, Venezuela -- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize on Friday to the people of...
Geostrategy
Top conservation group meets in UAE on growing threats to nature
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -- The world's top conservation body kicked off its world congress Thursday in the Emirati...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel, Hamas agree to first phase of peace plan: To include release of hostages, aid into Gaza
In a dramatic moment, AFP journalists saw US Secretary of State Marco Rubio interrupt an event at the White House...
- Palestinian militant group Hamas would release all hostages while Israel would pull its troops back to an agreed on line, Trump said after talks in Egypt on his 20-point Gaza plan
- Qatar said the deal was the "first phase of the Gaza truce pact, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives, and entry of aid
Geostrategy
US envoys arrive at Gaza truce talks as Egypt, Hamas voice ‘optimism’
Both sides have responded positively to Trump's plan, which calls for a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages held...
- Key to the negotiations will be the names of the Palestinian prisoners Hamas will push for.
- According to Egyptian state-linked media, high-profile inmate Marwan Barghouti -- from Hamas's rival, the Fatah movement -- is among those the group wants to see released.
Business
GITEX25: G42 to host fireside chat with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Abu Dhabi, UAE – G42, the Abu Dhabi-based technology group, Wednesday announced its participation at GITEX Global 2025 with the...
- The G42 District will serve as a one-stop destination for government officials, business leaders, and visitors to explore how AI is being operationalized across sectors.
- It will feature G42’s full portfolio of companies - including Core42, Khazna, M42, Presight, CPX, Inception, Space42, AIQ, AstraTech and Analog.