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...
Geostrategy
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.
Business
GCC capital market reforms spawn IPO, foreign investment wave
For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing,...
- Overall, the GCC IPO market raised $13.2 billion across 53 listings in 2024.
- The UAE led the charge. Federal decree changes and a flurry of free-zone and mainland measures now allow 100 percent foreign ownership in many sectors.
Geostrategy
Trump tells Cuba to ‘make a deal, before it is too late’
The communist-run island near Florida has been a US foe and ally of Caracas for decades, but Trump has ramped...
- "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!" Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."
- Trump provided no details about what potential deal he referred to, or what such an arrangement would achieve.
Geostrategy
Iran president says ‘rioters’ must not disrupt society
Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of "trying to escalate this unrest with regard to the economic discussion and...
- Protests in Iran initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living have lasted two weeks, becoming a movement against the theocratic system in place since the 1979.
- State TV has aired images of buildings, including a mosque on fire, with authorities saying members of the security forces have been killed.
Arts & Culture
Novel concept: China’s spellbinding bookstores draw selfie snappers
Tianjin, China -- Towering accordion steps and a fantastical spiral staircase greet visitors to a massive bookstore in northern China's...
- Sales of hard-copy books across the country have failed to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, data shows, despite authorities' efforts to boost domestic consumption.
- Yet in recent years the number of physical bookshops has "maintained steady growth", the head of a publishing industry group said last January.
Geostrategy
Yemen presidential council says Saudi coalition to lead all southern forces
The announcement comes a few days after Yemeni forces supported by Saudi Arabia recaptured large swathes of territory from the...
- The oil-rich neighbors formed the backbone of the coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who overran the capital Sanaa in 2014 and still control much of the country
- But Riyadh and Abu Dhabi now find themselves backing competing factions within the Presidential Council, which is recognized by the international community.
Business
AI toys look for bright side after troubled start
Las Vegas, United States -- Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that...
- The rapid advancement of generative AI since ChatGPT's arrival has paved the way for a new generation of smart toys.
- Among the four devices tested by PIRG was Curio's Grok, a four-legged stuffed toy inspired by a rocket that has been on the market since 2024.
Research
Some food preservatives linked to higher cancer, diabetes risk
Paris, France -- Eating some common food preservatives is linked to a slightly higher risk of eventually developing cancer and...
- The preservatives included nitrites and nitrates, which are often used to cure ham, bacon and sausages.
- The second study, published in Nature Communications, also found a link between eating some food additives and developing type 2 diabetes.
Geostrategy
Gazans fear renewed displacement after Israeli strikes
Residents say the strikes have targeted neighborhoods east of the so-called Yellow Line -- a demarcation established under the truce...
- Earlier this month, Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir described the Yellow Line as the "new border line" with Israel.
- For Palestinian officials, the line is seen as a tool for permanent displacement.
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
Company News
Latest News
Jury selection begins in landmark social media addiction trial
Los Angeles, United States -- Jury selection begins Tuesday for a landmark trial that could establish a legal precedent on...
Geostrategy
A matchmaking made in Gulf Heaven
The Gulf combines an interrelated web of business habitats and tech infrastructure to create rapid, policy-driven media and knowledge hubs...
Economy
Lessons from Davos: From digital health tools to health intelligence
Despite ongoing disagreements over economic and geopolitical shifts, there remains a strong commitment to collaboration, says Andrew Moose, Head of...
Interview
Most Read
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.