UAE top court upholds life terms for 24 convicted in mass trial
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- The UAE supreme court has jailed 24 people for life after upholding their convictions for "terrorist" links. "The Criminal Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court ruled (on Thursday) to partially overturn the judgment issued by the State Security Chamber at the Abu Dhabi Federal Court...
Iranian ballistic missiles target US base in Qatar, the largest in Middle East
No casualties reported in the attack that came a day after the US attacked three key nuclear facilities in Iran. Saudi Arabia and UAE have condemned Qatar strikes, which led to a more than 6 percent fall in oil prices.How travel brands can target high-intent travelers in the MEA region
As tourism booms across the Middle East and Africa, travel brands face fierce competition. Success now means using data-driven, personalized marketing to reach high-intent, mobile-first travelers at every stage—before, during, and after their journeys.MENA Brief | June 18: Oil calms after Trump’s threat rattles markets; UAE-Iran calls, Riyadh Air signs big Rolls-Royce deal
Oil prices steadied Wednesday after Trump’s demand for Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ roiled markets and revived supply fears, as regional diplomacy and major Gulf business deals unfolded alongside.MENA Brief – June 16: Netanyahu eyes Gaza breakthrough, Iran rejects talks, Trump at G7, UAE oil giant bids big
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there’s a fresh opening to free hostages held in Gaza, backing a US-mediated proposal for a 60-day ceasefire as Israel continues its unprecedented military exchange with Iran.MENA brief Jun 13: Prince Salman to skip G7 meet, OpenAI in funds talks with PIF
In the financial sector, Fitch Ratings has projected a notable uptick in mergers and acquisitions within Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry. In Jordan, tourism revenue rose 17.5% in May to $630 million, bringing total earnings for the first five months of 2025 to $3.06 billion.MENA brief Jun 11: Umrah returns, ADGM surges, Abu Dhabi property market up
China has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—boosting bilateral tourism and commerce from June 9, 2025, through June 8, 2026.EU removes UAE from ‘high-risk’ money-laundering list, adds Monaco
The European Commission said it added Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela, along with Monaco, to the list of countries subject to extra monitoring of their money laundering controls.MENA Mergers & Acquisitions deal value up 66% in Q1, hits $46 Billion
Dubai, UAE -- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has kicked off 2025 with a record-breaking first quarter in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), as deal value soared to $46 billion—a 66% increase year-on-year (YoY). According to Saudi M&A Consulting, this robust growth reflects rising investor confidence, favorable regulatory...Key MENA trends: M&A surge to five-year high, Saudi port activity rises in May
Qatar's foreign reserves rise 3.6 percent year-on-year despite a dip in bonds and treasury holdings, Iraq releases Australian and Egyptian engineers and other developments.MENA Outlook: Diversification, AI, and economic integration take centre stage
As the region pivots toward a post-oil future, recent developments across the Middle East and North Africa suggest an accelerating shift—driven by policy ambition, digital reform, and investment recalibration.Israel arms exports to UAE, Bahrain, Morocco rise sharply after 2023
Sales to countries considered part of the Abraham Accords -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco who signed groundbreaking normalization agreements with Israel in 2020 -- appeared to have sharply risen from 3 percent in 2023 to 12 percent.ADNOC expands its STEM Education Programme to empower UAE students in AI
Abu Dhabi, UAE – ADNOC has expanded its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programme to empower UAE students in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology through an initiative called ‘STEM for Life: Future of AI Schools Challenge’ which held the finals today at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre....UAE orders all companies to monitor emissions in new climate law
Under the new law, companies are required to report and reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming. Ghiwa Nakat, executive director of Greenpeace MENA, called it a "progressive move".Cross-border deals fuel M&A surge in MENA region in Q1 2025
Dubai, UAE -- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has kicked off 2025 with a remarkable surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, according to the latest EY MENA M&A Insights 2024 report. The first quarter of the year saw a substantial 31 percent increase in deal volume,...Real estate transactions in five UAE emirates reach $65 billion in Q1
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Real estate transactions across five emirates in the UAE surged to over AED 239 billion ($65 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, underpinned by investor confidence, flexible regulations, and expanding project pipelines, official data showed. More than 94,719 sales, purchase, and mortgage deals were recorded...May 2025 Islamic Treasury Sukuk auction attracts bids worth $1.88bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Ministry of Finance (MoF), in its capacity as the issuer and in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) as the issuing and payment agent, announced the successful completion of the May 2025 auction of UAE Dirham-denominated Islamic Treasury Sukuk (T-Sukuk) amounting to...Etihad Q1 profit $187 million
This is a 30% YoY increase over Q1 2025.Blending AI with a Human Touch: Al Rais Travel Eyes the Future of Tourism
Executive Director Mohamed Al Rais unveils a tech-human hybrid approach to personalize travel experiences — and announces a strategic India office to tap into Dubai’s largest source market.Technology and Short-Term Rentals in Dubai
Dubai’s short-term rental sector is being reshaped by cutting-edge proptech. From AI-driven guest personalization and immersive VR tours to smart home automation and sustainable energy solutions, technology is enhancing guest satisfaction and owner efficiency. With its strong digital infrastructure and appetite for innovation, Dubai is poised to lead the global...UAE-Morocco consortium sign $14 billion worth of energy, water infrastructure projects
Morocco on Monday signed deals with an Emirati-Moroccan consortium for energy and water infrastructure projects, which according to one of the companies involved were worth more than $14 billion.Trump caps Gulf tour in Abu Dhabi with dizzying investment pledges, deal worth $1.4 trn signed
US President Donald Trump on Friday capped off a Gulf tour in Abu Dhabi that has seen the securing of multi-billion-dollar deals, a $1.4 trillion investment pledge from the UAE, as well as historic overtures to Syria and renewed optimism over an Iran nuclear deal.Trump says getting close to deal to avoid Iran action
US President Donald Trump said Thursday a deal was close on Iran's nuclear programme that would avert military action, sending oil prices tumbling, as he boasted of raising "trillions of dollars" on a Gulf tour.Trump to close deal-making Gulf tour in UAE, announces big Boeing order for Qatar Airways
US President Donald Trump on Thursday closes a Middle East tour in the United Arab Emirates as he focuses squarely on seeking deals after billions of dollars of pledges from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.UAE says citizens can again travel to Lebanon
The announcement comes after Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun met with his UAE counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, after which it was announced that the ban would be lifted.OPEC+ countries to open the oil taps despite price slump
Saudi Arabia, along with Russia and six other members of the oil cartel, will implement a production adjustment of 411,000 barrels a day out of the ground, as in May, according to a OPEC+ statement, whereas the initial plan called for an increase of just 137,000 barrels.PureHealth posts $137m Q1 net profit
The Group's revenue increased 8 percent YoY.UAE says foils bid to transfer weapons to Sudan army
"The security services succeeded in preventing the transfer of a quantity of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces following the arrest of members of a cell involved in unauthorized mediation, brokering and illicit trafficking of military equipment," UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said.Borouge Q1 net profit $281 million
The total dividend paid to shareholders in 2024 $1.3bn.Loyalty Lost: How brands need to adapt to the modern traveler
Dubai, UAE: As 2025 unfolds, travel brands are facing a significant challenge: customer loyalty. Traditional rewards programmes, often based on points systems, struggle to meet the expectations of modern travelers who increasingly value personalised experiences over generic incentives. To stay competitive, brands must move away from price-based rewards like discounts, which can...Abu Dhabi launches $500mn maternal health fund for Africa
Nairobi, Kenya -- A $500-million fund aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa was launched Tuesday in Abu Dhabi at a time when Western countries are sharply cutting aid to Africa. The Beginnings Fund brings together philanthropists including the Gates Foundation and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation...Emirates expects first 777X delivery in H2 2026
Boeing had pushed back the first delivery to 2026 from 2025.Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel ‘will happen’: Trump
"Saudi Arabia will go into the Abraham accords," Trump said, referencing the historic agreement struck at the end of his first term in 2020, which saw United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco normalize relations with Israel.ATM 2025 to showcase 2,800 firms, 17 percent from Middle East
Dubai, UAE: The Arabian Travel Market, which will take place from Apr 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring together professionals and leaders from all travel sectors and verticals including leisure, business events (MICE), luxury and corporate travel sectors. At a press conference, RX Global,...ADIB’s Q1 net profit $517 million
Q1 2025 net profit before tax increased 18% YoY.Emirates Islamic Q1 profit $394m
The bank's profit crossed AED 1bn mark for the first time.UAE foreign trade increases by 49% to reach $1.42 trillion in 2024
The UAE climbed from 17th to 11th globally in merchandise exports and from 18th to 14th in imports between 2021 and 2024, contributing 2.5 percent to global merchandise exports and 2.2 percent to imports. Exports reached $603 billion and imports totaled $539 billion in 2024.Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports rise 8 percent to $19.34bn in Jan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports increased 8 percent year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 72.6 billion ($19.34 billion) in January, according to data issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Meanwhile, merchandise imports fell by 8 percent, or nearly SAR 6.4 billion, month-on-month (MoM). Machinery and mechanical appliances,...Ajman real estate transactions reach $560 million in March
Ajman, UAE -- Real estate transactions in Ajman reached AED 2.06 billion ($560 million) in March 2025, marking a significant increase of over 41 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Omar bin Omair Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Ajman's Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, said the...Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa makes first visit to UAE
Damascus, Syria -- Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose war-devastated country seeks Gulf financial support, traveled to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for his first visit since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow, state media said. Nearly a week after rebels toppled Assad in December, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said his...European Union and UAE agree to launch trade deal negotiations
Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "and I just decided to launch negotiations on an EU-UAE free trade agreement," the European Commission president wrote on X. "This agreement will strengthen our bilateral relations and contribute to the prosperity of the broader region."47 global firms interested in developing 7th phase of Al Maktoum solar park
Dubai, UAE -- A total of 47 international companies have shown interest in developing the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is based on the independent power producer (IPP) model, said Saeed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Al...$20 million rare blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -- A rare blue diamond valued at $20 million went on pre-auction display on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. The 10-carat Mediterranean Blue, which will go on sale in Geneva next month, is the showpiece of a collection estimated at $100 million, organizers said. "Included in...UAE’s steady economic rise fertile ground for growth of facilities management
A steady stream of development projects and year-round tourism in the country propel demand for tech-enabled facilities management, says Adnan Jabri, General Manager of Ontegra Facilities Management.Borouge to increase dividend from 2025
The company okayed $650 million final dividend for 2024.Trump’s tariffs shake up MENA economies, hitting allies, adversaries, oil trade and emerging industries: Report
Trump's sweeping tariffs are reshaping trade dynamics across MENA, impacting oil-exporting Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, according to Atlantic Council experts.UAE tourism generates $12.24bn in hotel revenues in 2024: Minister
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Hotel revenues in the UAE reached approximately AED 45 billion ( $12.24 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 3 percent year-over-year growth, said Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. Hotel occupancy rates also climbed to 78 percent last...Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade grows by 9% in 2024 to $83bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Customs reported a 9 percent increase in the emirate’s non-oil foreign trade in 2024, reaching AED 306 billion ($83.29 billion), compared to AED 281.9 billion in 2023, reflecting the vitality of the emirate’s economy and its growing relations with trading partners around the globe....AD Ports Group 2024 revenue $4.70bn
The Group's EBITDA increased by 69 percent YOY.Saudi marks Eid al-Fitr today, other Mideast states on Monday
Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf Arab states are to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday from Sunday but other Middle Eastern countries will not do so until Monday.A dirham and a dream: Matthews Southwest’s Jay French on future of UAE real estate
From an institutional investor-based viewpoint, it is becoming of interest more now than it ever has been. And that's a credit to what they've been able to build from a critical mass point of view, said French.