INSEAD Day 4 - 728x90

BYD logs record EV sales in 2025

It sold 2.26m EVs vs Tesla's 1.22 by Sept end.

Google to invest $6.4bn

The investment is its biggest-ever in Germany.

Pfizer poised to buy Metsera

The pharma giant improved its offer to $10bn.

Ozempic maker lowers outlook

The company posted tepid Q3 results.

Kimberly-Clark to buy Kenvue

The deal is valued at $48.7 billion.

No option but to continue resistance, says Hezbollah after deadly Israeli strikes

Mahmud Qamati, a Hezbollah official, described the strike in the Bekaa Valley as “a new massacre and a new aggression” in remarks broadcast on the group’s Al-Manar television channel.

‘Innovation takes time—The Gulf’s economic transformation requires patience and persistence’

In an interview with TRENDS, Josh Lerner says Gulf economies pursuing diversification must recognize that transformation takes time, patience, and resilience through inevitable ups and downs.

UAE Innovation Month: Why 2026 is the year of the agentic enterprise

True differentiation in 2026 won't come from deploying the most AI. It will come from mastering relational intelligence at scale to understand not just what customers want now, but the full context of their needs and preferences over time.  This is where the Agentic Enterprise moves from theory to commercial advantage, writes Mohammed AlKhotani, Senior VP & GM for the Middle East at Salesforce.

The synergy between humans and AI agents is driving a ‘Great Redeployment’ where there is a structural shift in how organizations operate and how roles are defined. AI agents are built to solve problems end-to-end, they naturally cut across the functional silos that have long fragmented decision-making and customer experience, he adds.

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 that attract talent and investment, writes Hadi Khatib.

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 was under 25 in 2021. This demographic strength is shaping the foundation of the region’s emerging knowledge 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...

Startups need more than funding: they need an ecosystem

Drew Propson, Head of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services at the World Economic Forum, explains how sustainable growth, AI innovation, and a strong regulatory and talent infrastructure are reshaping global and MENA startup ecosystems.

How Sensodyne’s 5th Sense is turning oral care into experience

Haleon delivers better everyday health with humanity, as Sensodyne drives trusted innovation through The 5th Sense, Murtaza Mahfouz tells TRENDS

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 of media and content creators, says Majed Al Suwaidi, the Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City.

Professional events are becoming West Africa’s new innovation engine

Innovation doesn’t happen by decree. It happens when people collide, when ideas rub up against each other, when unlikely conversations spark new possibilities, writes Siriki Sangare in an interview with TRENDS.

MENA’s gaming sector projected to ‘touch $6 billion by 2027

Nikita Matsokin, Executive Director of MGVC (MY.GAMES, shares his thoughts on the MENA region’s creative talent, government support, and rapid innovation shaping the future of global gaming and driving new opportunities for developers.

No option but to continue resistance, says Hezbollah after deadly Israeli strikes

Mahmud Qamati, a Hezbollah official, described the strike in the Bekaa Valley as “a new massacre and a new aggression”...

‘Innovation takes time—The Gulf’s economic transformation requires patience and persistence’

In an interview with TRENDS, Josh Lerner says Gulf economies pursuing diversification must recognize that transformation takes time, patience, and...

Latest News

Gold, silver prices tumble as investors soothed by Trump’s Fed pick

Gold and silver prices dived Friday, European stock markets ended the week up while Wall Street fell slightly with investors reassured...

Hamas tells AFP ready to transfer Gaza governance to Palestinian committee

"Protocols are prepared, files are complete, and committees are in place to oversee the handover, ensuring a complete transfer of...

Qatar announces $430 mn in support for Lebanon

A visiting Qatari official on Monday announced a multi-million dollar aid package for Lebanon, primarily to support the country's crumbling...

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...

Netanyahu, US envoys discuss opening Rafah crossing: Israeli media

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and...

INSEAD Day 1 -300x250
INSEAD Day 1 -300x250

UAE Innovation Month: Why 2026 is the year of the agentic enterprise

The synergy between humans and AI agents is driving a ‘Great Redeployment’ where there is a structural shift in how organizations operate and how roles are defined....

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...

EDITOR'S PICK

3 ways travel drives economic growth while enhancing global connections and sustainability

WTTC research shows that, having endured estimated losses of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs...

EVs just the start, urban mobility needs a holistic approach

Cities must adopt EVs alongside shared transport, robust infrastructure, clean energy, and inclusivity, says Jamie...

Exclusive: Private military companies look at $366.8bn market as their demand, role in global conflicts rise

Rising security concerns, confrontational geopolitics, and chaotic global changes have fueled the demand for private...

TikTok under fire: Espionage claims, election influence campaigns and controversies

The platform faces accusations of espionage in the United States, while the European Union has...

Startups need more than funding: they need an ecosystem

Drew Propson, Head of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services at the World Economic Forum, explains how sustainable growth, AI...

Latest News

Netanyahu, US envoys discuss opening Rafah crossing: Israeli media

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and...

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,...

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, six others accept Trump ‘Board of Peace’ invite: statement

Saudi Arabia and seven Muslim-majority countries including Gaza mediators Qatar and Turkey have agreed to join US President Donald Trump's "Board...

Iraq announces complete withdrawal of US-led coalition from federal territory

Iraq said on Sunday US-led coalition forces had finished withdrawing from bases within the country's federal territory, which excludes the...

Trump threatens European nations with tariffs over Greenland

Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops...

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...

Professional events are becoming West Africa’s new innovation engine

Innovation doesn’t happen by decree. It happens when people collide, when ideas rub up against each other, when unlikely conversations...

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...

How Sensodyne’s 5th Sense is turning oral care into experience

Haleon delivers better everyday health with humanity, as Sensodyne drives trusted innovation through The 5th Sense, Murtaza Mahfouz tells TRENDS

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...

MENA’s gaming sector projected to ‘touch $6 billion by 2027

Nikita Matsokin, Executive Director of MGVC (MY.GAMES, shares his thoughts on the MENA region’s creative talent, government support, and rapid...

Sovereign tech: Building a regional stack, not rival silos

As Gulf states race to build sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure, the real opportunity lies in pooling capital, standards and...
  • Technical and compliance challenges are pushing GCC countries toward common governance constructs and vendor frameworks
  • To boost talent mobility, GCC SWFs can underwrite regional AI academies, and visa standardization for tech talent

Gulf startup hubs: Converging strategies, diverging ambitions

Despite fierce branding as rivals, Gulf startup hubs share capital, policy, and talent structures that are quietly shaping distinct, globally...
  • Shared infrastructure, capital flows, and policy choices bind these ecosystems together more than they divide them.
  • The critical question for Gulf ecosystems is not whether they have capital or talent, but whether both are organized toward genuinely global ambition.

Weaker dollar creates window for international property buyers in Dubai

Dubai faces substantial supply headwinds that may absorb currency-driven demand without triggering significant price gains. Approximately 45,000-50,000 new residential units...
  • A 9.88% slide in the US dollar has boosted foreign buying power in Dubai, cutting the sterling cost of a AED 5 million home by nearly £105,000 in a year
  • UAE’s 1 USD–3.6725 AED currency peg means the dirham weakens with the dollar, making Dubai property cheaper for overseas investors while staying stable for locals