Abu Dhabi residential property sales hit record $19.9bn in 2025
Apartments dominated the sales market, accounting for 66% of transactions, reflecting strong developer activity in the segment
Economy
The Gulf’s Capital Plumbing
Futuristic, lifestyle-changing entrepreneurial ideas are targeting liquid GCC markets, where hyperscalers and deep-pocketed sovereign and private investors and family offices...
Economy
Arts & Culture
Is Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Saudi Arabia? Cryptic post fuels speculation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Questions swirled over Cristiano Ronaldo's future in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, hours after the superstar indicated...
- The 40-year-old Portuguese forward joined Al Nassr in 2022 from Manchester United and his contract with the Saudi club ends this summer.
- Ronaldo's potential exit from Saudi Arabia will likely raise fresh questions about how the Saudi Pro League would fare in his absence.
Arts & Culture
Iraq’s first ever director in Cannes wins best feature debut
Hasan Hadi won the top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in "The President's Cake".
- Also from the Middle East, Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom received his award for his short film "I'm Glad You're Dead Now".
- Gazan twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser on Friday received a directing award in the Certain Regard parallel section for "Once Upon A Time In Gaza".
Science
Microsoft strikes deal with Elon Musk to host Grok AI
Seattle, United States - Microsoft on Monday said its business cloud servers will now host technology from xAI, days after...
- Musk told an event hosted by Microsoft that his company's models "aspire to truth with minimal error," adding that "there's always going to be some mistakes that are made."
- The Grok models from xAI will be available on Microsoft's Azure AI Foundry, a platform that makes hundreds of models available for paying developers to build their own AI models
Geostrategy
Morocco to reopen embassy in Syria after Assad fall
Morocco said Saturday it will reopen its embassy Damascus, closed since 2012, signalling renewed support for Syria after the overthrow...
- The decision was announced in a letter from King Mohammed VI to Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa
- The letter said Morocco backed the Syrian people "in their quest for freedom, security, and stability."
Geostrategy
US announces new sanctions against Iran amid talks
The United States announced new sanctions Monday against Iran over its nuclear program, despite ongoing negotiations between the two countries...
- The latest sanctions target three Iranian citizens and an Iranian entity with links to Tehran's Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research,
- The discussions began last month and aim to seal a new accord that would prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies seeking to build one
India and Pakistan rivalry boils after Kashmir attack
India took a raft of punitive diplomatic measures against arch-rival Pakistan on Wednesday, accusing Islamabad of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after...
- India's measures, including the suspension of a key water-sharing treating and closure of the main land border crossing
- The killings have shocked New Delhi, as they marked a dramatic shift targeting civilians and the area's vital tourism industry
Geostrategy
Israel security chief accuses PM of demanding personal loyalty
Israel's internal security chief, whom the government is trying to sack, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday of demanding personal...
- Ronen Bar's accusations, in a sworn statement to the Supreme Court, are the latest twist in a legal and political saga pitting him against Netanyahu
- Bar's dismissal, announced by the government last month but frozen by the court, triggered mass protests
Business
US judge rules Google monopolized online ad tech market
Washington, United States -- A US judge on Thursday ruled that Google wielded monopoly power in the online ad technology...
- It is one of two federal suits targeting Google that could ultimately see the company split up and curb its influence -- and part of a wider government push to rein in Big Tech.
- The vast majority of websites use a trio of Google ad software products that together leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs alleged.
Business
China retaliates with 84 percent tariffs on US products
Beijing, China -- China will impose 84 percent tariffs on US imports, up from 34 percent, the finance ministry said...
- US President Donald Trump's latest salvo of tariffs came into effect on dozens of trading partners Wednesday, bringing duties on Chinese products up to 104 percent.
- Beijing has consistently opposed tariff rises and said Wednesday it would take "firm and forceful" steps to protect its interests.
Geostrategy
Gaza rescuers say 25 killed in Israeli strike on school-turned-shelter
Gaza civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP more than 100 others wounded in the strike on Dar al-Arqam School...
- The Israeli military has in recent days issued a number of evacuation orders to residents in northern neighborhoods of the Gaza Strip.
- On Monday, it told those living in all areas of the southern city of Rafah and parts of nearby Khan Yunis to leave.
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
Abu Dhabi residential property sales hit record $19.9bn in 2025
Apartments dominated the sales market, accounting for 66% of transactions, reflecting strong developer activity in the segment
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Gaza ceasefire enters phase two despite unresolved issues between Israel and Hamas
The most contentious questions remain Hamas's refusal to publicly commit to full disarmament, a non-negotiable demand from Israel, and Israel's...
Geostrategy
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
Interview
WEF flags geoeconomic confrontation as top global risk for 2026
Experts warn economic warfare, misinformation and unchecked AI could amplify global shocks as cooperation weakens across political and trade blocs.
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
World Bank lifts 2026 growth forecast, warns of softer demand
The bank expects world GDP growth of 2.6 percent this year, according to its latest global economic prospects report. The...
- But the rate still marks a slowdown from the 2.7% pace seen in 2025, with the Bank warning that the 2020s are "on track to be the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s".
- As countries adjust and policy uncertainty recedes, the bank anticipates that trade growth will firm up again in 2027.
Interview
Cybersecurity must evolve from blocking threats to safeguarding the innovation process
When businesses increasingly rely on AI to make decisions, a manipulated dataset can cause more harm than a ransomware attack,...
- Collaboration without guardrails is often where breaches begin.
- The challenge is enabling people to work freely without exposing the organization to unnecessary risk.
Business
Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed
Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed the "unprecedented" subpoenas against the bank in a rare video address on Sunday, which he...
- European stocks wavered after a strong showing in Asia, seen on the back of solid gains on Wall Street before the weekend.
- Gold climbed close to $4,600 an ounce while silver approached $85 an ounce as investors sought traditional safe havens.