A next round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US to halt the war will continue in Abu Dhabi on February 1 a US official said on Saturday.

The United Arab Emirates is "investing in chaos and supporting secessionists" from Libya to Yemen and the Horn of Africa, Saudi Arabia's Al-Ekhbariya TV charged in a report this week.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to leverage changes in global trade and supply chains to position itself as a “connector economy,” linking Africa, Europe and Asia, senior Saudi ministers said during discussions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

Florin Vasvari of London Business School says a knowledge economy requires educated local talent, global expertise and supportive regulation, tax incentives and access to capital, in an interview to TRENDS.

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner said the so-called National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) had enlisted help from Israeli real estate developer Yakir Gabay.

As AI reshapes boardrooms worldwide, Cozmo AI CTO Nuha Hashem explains how responsible, accountable systems—powered by MENA talent—can drive sustainable global growth.

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.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Humain artificial intelligence company has secured up to $1.2 billion in financing to expand digital infrastructure, a statement said, as the kingdom bolsters its investment in AI. The non-binding framework agreement with Saudi Arabia's National Infrastructure Fund outlines the development of up to 250...

A group of leaders and senior officials from 19 countries -- including Trump allies from Argentina and Hungary -- gathered on stage with Trump to put their names to the founding charter of the body.

Saudi Arabia and seven Muslim-majority countries including Gaza mediators Qatar and Turkey have agreed to join US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", the Saudi foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Joseph Bradley, former CEO of Tonomus, shares with TRENDS his views on how AI and leadership can help MENA build smarter, future-ready economies.

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.

Trump's quest to take control of Greenland, which he said was needed for national and international security, dominated his address to the World Economic Forum as he returned for the first time in six years.

The US president, who will address the annual gathering of global elites on Wednesday, has put the transatlantic alliance to the test with his demand to take over Greenland.

Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s knowledge economy.

In the MENA region, we see an extraordinary opportunity to shape a digitally empowered workforce aligned with national transformation agendas, says Sahil Dhawan, president and head of Tech Mahindra for India, Middle East & Africa.

Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence group G42 on Tuesday launched what it calls a Digital Embassies framework and an operating model named Greenshield, aimed at allowing governments to deploy artificial intelligence while retaining legal authority and control over data and systems, even when infrastructure is located outside national borders. The initiative...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts globally and  oversee governance and reconstruction in Gaza, the Kremlin said Monday.

The post-oil Gulf has the chance to redefine authenticity itself—as a deliberately trained, global hospitality culture built by people, not pipelines.

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.

AI, geopolitics, climate, and demographics are reshaping the Middle East’s growth model beyond oil.

The White House said there would be a main board, chaired by Trump himself, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern the war-wracked territory, and a second "executive board" that appears designed to have a more advisory role.

Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops in recent days to the vast, mineral-rich territory at the gateway to the Arctic with a population of 57,000.

The government has successfully implemented more than 900 reforms, including restructuring legal and labor frameworks, establishing new public authorities, and significantly expanding women’s participation in the workforce.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held calls with the leaders of Israel and Iran, the Kremlin said, offering mediation amid protests in Iran that have raised fears of a military confrontation in the region.

In its latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, the WEF said 53 percent of surveyed economists expect global economic conditions to weaken in the year ahead, down from 72 percent in September 2025, signaling cautious optimism amid persistent uncertainty.

For governments and corporates across the Gulf, the immediate task is pragmatic: marry sovereign ambition with sustainable skills programs and robust governance frameworks.

Two diplomatic sources told AFP on Thursday that the security posture at Qatar's Al-Udeid Airbase had been lowered after a number of personnel had been told to leave on Wednesday over the regional tensions.

The most contentious questions remain Hamas's refusal to publicly commit to full disarmament, a non-negotiable demand from Israel, and Israel's lack of clarity over whether it will fully withdraw its forces from Gaza.

MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and chief operating officer (COO) of ExploreTECH.

Gerd Leonhard, CEO of the Futures Agency and author of Technology vs. Humanity, tells TRENDS that humanity is hurtling toward a clash between man and machine.

CAMB.AI founder Avneesh Prakash explains how on-device, real-time AI translation—powered by its MARS and BOLI models—is poised to dismantle language barriers and disrupt global content distribution.

Iran on Wednesday vowed fast-track trials for people arrested over a massive wave of protests, after US President Donald Trump threatened "very strong action" if the Islamic republic goes ahead with hangings.

Experts warn economic warfare, misinformation and unchecked AI could amplify global shocks as cooperation weakens across political and trade blocs.

AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have a very difficult time finding a job in the future, says Klaus Kohlmayr, Chief Evangelist and Development Officer at IDeaS.

US President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting against the country's theocratic leadership, telling them "help is on its way" as international outrage grows over a crackdown rights groups say has left at least hundreds dead.

The Gulf economies face disruptions but embrace risk to grow, says Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, founder of Prototypes for Humanity, on regional innovation trends.

When businesses increasingly rely on AI to make decisions, a manipulated dataset can cause more harm than a ransomware attack, says Gerald Beuchelt, Chief Information Security Officer at Acronis.

Widespread jamming of the Starlink satellite internet service used by some Iranian opposition members is a likely first in peacetime but impossible to sustain nationwide, experts told AFP.

Activate Consulting CEO Michael Wolf tells TRENDS how AI, media and shifting consumer behaviour are driving the next knowledge economy.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed the "unprecedented" subpoenas against the bank in a rare video address on Sunday, which he blasted as part of Trump's pressure campaign for aggressive rate cuts.

For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing, with governments relaxing ownership rules, rewriting regulators’ mandates.

This year’s edition is expected to welcome more than 30,000 participants from over 120 countries, including 1,500 startups, 700 investors and 600 media representatives—making it the largest Web Summit to date.

Ksar El Kebir, Morocco – Achraf Hakimi is an idol across Africa Cup of Nations host country Morocco, but there is a particularly strong feeling of pride in Ksar El Kebir, his mother's home town. Far from the tumult of the six Cup of Nations host cities, including Casablanca and Marrakesh,...

President Donald Trump reposted a social media message on Sunday suggesting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, born to Cuban immigrant parents, would become the next leader of Cuba.

The communist-run island near Florida has been a US foe and ally of Caracas for decades, but Trump has ramped up his threatening language in recent days -- particularly after Washington toppled Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.

Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of "trying to escalate this unrest with regard to the economic discussion and solutions we are working on".

Tianjin, China -- Towering accordion steps and a fantastical spiral staircase greet visitors to a massive bookstore in northern China's Tianjin, where its striking interior is a bigger draw for selfie snappers than scholars. Sales of hard-copy books across the country have failed to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, data...

The announcement comes a few days after Yemeni forces supported by Saudi Arabia recaptured large swathes of territory from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists.

Las Vegas, United States -- Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that their fun creations infused with generative artificial intelligence don't turn naughty. That need was made clear by a recent Public Interest Research Groups report with alarming findings, including an AI-powered...