Meta tests AI-powered scam alerts on WhatsApp
Meta is testing an optional AI-powered scam alert feature on WhatsApp that warns users when conversations may involve fraud. The...
Geostrategy
The value imperative: leading growth forward
Companies should act now by strengthening financial resilience, embracing AI, diversifying supply chains and remaining lean. Waiting for stability is...
Opinion
Business
Gold tops $5,000 for first time on Trump policy unrest
While turbulence over Trump's ambitions for Greenland and pressure on the Federal Reserve have provided the most recent support for...
- The precious metal's price has risen also owing to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington's intervention in Venezuela.
- Gold demand by value jumped 44 percent year-on-year to a record $146 billion in the third quarter of last year, the World Gold Council has said in its latest report.
Business
Qadi partners with Core42 to power sovereign AI compliance platform
Qadi, the Middle East’s first sovereign regulatory compliance platform, has partnered with Core42, a G42 company, to power its artificial...
- Qadi’s AI agents automate regulatory compliance by translating local laws into workflows embedded directly within enterprise operations.
- Core42’s sovereign cloud ensures sensitive legal data remains protected under UAE jurisdictional controls and enterprise-grade governance frameworks.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia’s UAE ‘mudslinging’ threatens new Gulf crisis
The United Arab Emirates is "investing in chaos and supporting secessionists" from Libya to Yemen and the Horn of Africa,...
- The two neighbors are traditional allies with deeply intertwined economies, and the UAE's president, Sheikh Mohamed, was considered a mentor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Now, commentators in Saudi Arabia accuse the UAE of growing too bold, backing forces at odds with Saudi interests in conflicts including Yemen, while also aligning with Israel.
Opinion
To build a knowledge economy, the GCC must bet on its young minds
In Saudi Arabia, more than 60 percent of the population is under 30, and across the GCC, over 50 percent...
- This generational shift has been accelerated by national visions across the GCC, from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
- The dynamic, which combines wisdom and creativity, is precisely what national visions need to scale.
Business
Saudi’s Humain secures $1.2 bn to expand AI, digital infrastructure
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Humain artificial intelligence company has secured up to $1.2 billion in financing to expand...
- The non-binding framework agreement with Saudi Arabia's National Infrastructure Fund outlines the development of up to 250 megawatts in data center capacity.
- Humain, backed by Saudi's nearly trillion-dollar sovereign wealth fund, launched last May as the world's biggest oil exporter bets on AI to help diversify its economy.
Geostrategy
Trump launches ‘Board of Peace’ at Davos after Greenland u-turn
A group of leaders and senior officials from 19 countries -- including Trump allies from Argentina and Hungary -- gathered...
- Trump -- who is the chairman of the Board of Peace -- said they were "in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular. That's the way it goes in life."
- Originally meant to oversee peace in Gaza after the war between Hamas and Israel, the board's charter envisions a wider role in resolving international conflicts, sparking concerns
Economy
How To Enhance Human Potential? The answer: Cognitive Cities, AI, and Leadership in MENA
Joseph Bradley, former CEO of Tonomus, shares with TRENDS his views on how AI and leadership can help MENA build...
- Challenging fixed beliefs and pairing AI with human strengths is key to building agile, future-ready economies in the region, Joseph Bradley told TRENDS
- Effective leadership, he says, will hinge on explaining the “why,” trusting people, and letting humans and AI grow together, he adds
Interview
Dubai Media City bets on AI to cement its global creative hub status
Dubai Media City has moved decisively beyond real estate into intellectual and digital value creation to support the next generation...
- Media Cluster enables talent development by providing access to globally renowned institutions at Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group.
- The Media Cluster offers Grade A offices, recording and green rooms, and even world-class backlots and sound stages at Dubai Studio City.
Geostrategy
Trump at Davos demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force
Trump's quest to take control of Greenland, which he said was needed for national and international security, dominated his address...
- But Trump appeared to rule out the threat of military action against fellow NATO member Denmark -- which he branded "ungrateful" -- that has threatened to tear the alliance.
- Trump, however, lambasted Europe on a number of fronts from Greenland to tariffs and the economy, saying it was "not heading in the right direction".
Interview
The Middle East has become our living lab for digital reinvention
In the MENA region, we see an extraordinary opportunity to shape a digitally empowered workforce aligned with national transformation agendas,...
- The Middle East has become our living lab for digital reinvention, where ideas rapidly evolve into impactful, real-world solutions.
- AI, cloud, and IoT are no longer enablers but strategic levers reshaping productivity, resilience, and value creation across MENA.
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
Meta tests AI-powered scam alerts on WhatsApp
Meta is testing an optional AI-powered scam alert feature on WhatsApp that warns users when conversations may involve fraud. The...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Tasnee’s 2025 losses deepen
Business
‘Strait of Hormuz disruption could trigger long-term shift in global trade and energy flows’
Kelsey Goodman of the World Economic Forum discusses Strait of Hormuz disruptions, global trade risks, and how GCC economies can...
Economy
Supply chain attacks emerge as top cyber threat to businesses: Study
The study found that large enterprises are particularly vulnerable because of their extensive vendor networks.
Business
AWS outage in Gulf raises reliability concerns as services remain disrupted over a week after strikes
Cloud services operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the Gulf region continue to face disruptions more than a week...
Economy
Most Read
Geostrategy
105 missiles, 176 drones destroyed since start of Iranian attack: Bahrain
The Bahrain Defence Force General Command (BDF) announced that its air defence systems have continued to successfully intercept successive waves...
- Since the onset of hostilities, BDF forces have intercepted and destroyed 105 ballistic missiles and 176 unmanned aerial vehicles
- The General Command further stated that the targeting of civilian sites constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law
Science
Chrome vulnerability allowed extensions to hijack Gemini panel, researchers say
According to researchers, the vulnerability allowed attackers to tap into the browser environment and potentially access files on a user’s...
- The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-0628, was found in Google’s implementation of the Gemini feature integrated into Chrome
- According to researchers, the vulnerability allowed attackers to tap into the browser environment and potentially access files on a user’s local operating system
Economy
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
- Off-plan properties dominated the market, accounting for 71% of total sales activity, supported by new project launches and attractive payment plans
- Around 7,000 new homes were delivered in Abu Dhabi during 2025, bringing the total residential supply in the emirate to about 315,000 units