Charity Oxfam also says ahead of Davos that billionaires are 4,000 times more likely than ordinary citizens to hold political office
Stories by Staff Writer
UAE President to begin his third state visit to India on Monday
The visit by His Highness will provide an opportunity for the two leaders of two countries to chart new frontiers for the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
European Union
European Union set to fight back against Trump’s proposed Greenland tariffs
EU Parliament may suspend work on EU-US trade deal; Growing calls for EU use of EU’s ‘Anti-Coercion Instrument’; Emergency meeting called in Brussels
Infrastructure
RTA makes trip to Terminal 1 smoother with innovative bridge expansion
Increasing the number of traffic lanes in an existing bridge from three to four, raises capacity by 33% – from 4,200 to 5,600 vehicles per hour
Greenland
Trump threatens additional 10% tariffs on EU if Greenland is not sold to the US
Tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1 and would continue until a deal was reached to purchase Greenland; European nations reiterate support for Denmark
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Khamenei to Trump: you killed them
Iran’s Supreme Leader blames US president for more than 3,000 deaths as nationwide protests are brutally suppressed and internet services begin to return
xAI
Elon Musk wants $134.5 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft in ‘wrongful gains’ from his early investment
xAI and SpaceX owner tells court OpenAI gained anywhere between $65.5-$109.4bn, and Microsoft from $13.3-$25.1bn because of his initial contribution of $38mn
Abu Dhabi launches Quality Policy to further enhance competitiveness
The Policy covers all dimensions of quality linked to people’s lives, including healthcare, education, food, the environment, transport, and housing
Machado
Trump can have the medal, but that does not make him a Nobel Prize winner
Nobel Committee said Machado remains “the original laureate recorded in history as the recipient” of the prize despite giving her medal to Trump
Dubai
Is the Oura Ring worth it? A 5-week review on sleep, stress and recovery
I let a ring judge my lifestyle (and somehow, it helped)
Downdetector
X is down for thousands of users worldwide
X was down for tens of thousands of users worldwide on Friday, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com
Aviation
Etihad Airways and Tunisair sign codeshare deal to strengthen Abu Dhabi–North Africa air links
Etihad Airways and Tunisair sign codeshare deal, boosting Abu Dhabi–Tunis connectivity and supporting growing travel demand
flying taxi
Dubai air taxi flights will take off this year, says RTA boss
Dubai will see electric air taxis developed by Joby Aviation take off and begin commercial operations by the end of this year
commercial real estate
Dubai commercial real estate sales surge 79.3 per cent to $4.2bn in 2025
Dubai commercial property sales jumped 79.3 per cent to $4.2bn in 2025, highlighting strong economic momentum and investor confidence
King Salman
Saudi King Salman having tests in hospital – state media
The 90-year-old monarch is said to be undergoing medical tests in Riyadh, having last chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday
Abu Dhabi named World’s Best Cruise Destination for 2025 as arrivals near 700,000
Abu Dhabi wins World’s and Middle East’s Best Cruise Destination, highlighting dual-port strategy and nearly 700,000 cruise arrivals
General Pension and Social Security Authority
UAE social security payments hit $1.81bn as GPSSA posts strong 2025 performance
UAE pension authority reports strong 2025, with insured Emiratis up 24.3 per cent and social security payments reaching $1.81bn
qatar real estate
Qatar real estate transactions hit $546m in December as Doha and Al Rayyan lead market activity
Qatar real estate transactions hit $546m in December, with Doha and Al Rayyan leading deals, values and mortgage activity
darts
Saudi Arabia sets $200,000 nine-dart prize as Luke Littler headlines Riyadh darts showpiece
Saudi Arabia unveils $200,000 nine-darter prize at the 2026 Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, with world champion Luke Littler headlining
Dubai police
Dubai Police issue warning over deadly social media challenge
Dubai Police issue warning to parents and teenagers over deadly social media challenges, urging awareness and community reporting
Air India
Air India warns of potential route disruptions after engine damage at Delhi airport
The airline said the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog conditions
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC reportedly mulling Venezuela gas investment
Any approach in Venezuela would require coordination with the US and be made through its international arm XRG
OMNIYAT celebrates 20 years through a curated anniversary at The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Ultra-luxury developer marks two decades of design-led living with a multi-sensory evening of gastronomy, art, entertainment and a spectacular drone display
King Abdulaziz International Airport
Saudi aviation first as Jeddah airport cleared for cross-runway takeoff operations
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah approves cross-runway takeoffs, boosting efficiency
BMW
BMW Middle East posts double-digit growth in 2025 as luxury, M and electric models drive demand
BMW Middle East closed 2025 with strong growth as BMW sales rose 10 per cent, MINI hit high and M models surged 38 per cent
UAE construction
UAE construction enters new phase in 2026 as digital discipline, AI and ESG reshape project delivery
UAE construction and real estate projects are shifting in 2026 as digital discipline, AI adoption and ESG compliance reshape delivery
Donald Trump
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt urge against US and Iran escalation
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt convinced US President Donald Trump to avoid escalation amid rising tensions with Iran
Binghatti
Dubai real estate: Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz unveil $8.2bn branded city project in Nad Al Sheba
Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz launch Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City, a $8.2bn branded city in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
life expectancy
Saudi Arabia lifts life expectancy to 79.7 years as Vision 2030 drives healthcare reform
Saudi Vision 2030 healthcare reforms lift life expectancy to 79.7 years, cutting road deaths by 60 per cent and injuries by 30 per cent
Abu Dhabi to host inaugural Shoptalk Luxe as luxury retail leaders descend on UAE capital
More than 2,000 senior decision-makers and 170 speakers including Vera Wang, Hugo Boss CEO Daniel Grieder and Harrods Managing Director Michael Ward will gather at Emirates Palace from 27-29 January
Saudi economy
Saudi Arabia launches sweeping reforms and mega-projects in early 2026
Saudi Arabia begins 2026 with landmark data centre, capital market reforms, metro expansion and geopolitical moves
DFSA
Over 50 per cent of MENA private equity portfolios to integrate AI by end of 2026
More than 50 per cent of MENA private equity portfolios are set to adopt AI-driven value creation by end of 2026 as firms eye efficiency
Donald Trump
Has Trump blinked? Rhetoric shifts as Iran crackdown eases
US president adopts wait-and-see stance after threatening military strikes, citing “very important sources” saying killings subsiding as oil retreats from multi-month highs
Air India
Saudia and Air India sign codeshare deal to boost Saudi–India air connectivity from February
Saudia and Air India will launch a codeshare from February, expanding connectivity between Saudi Arabia and India
Arabian Travel Market
Arabian Travel Market 2026 sees surging global demand as Middle East travel spend set to top $60bn
Arabian Travel Market 2026 is seeing rising exhibitor demand as Middle East travel spend is forecast to exceed $60bn by 2030
Dubai Academic City
Dubai education districts see 15 per cent student growth as enrolment passes 38,500
Student numbers at Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park exceed 38,500, marking 15 per cent growth reinforcing education appeal
Binghatti
Dubai real estate: Emaar tops sales value as Binghatti leads volumes across luxury and affordable segments
Dubai real estate strong in 2025 as Emaar led sales value and Binghatti topped volumes, with demand rising in luxury and affordable homes
Burj Khalifa
Dubai RTA and Emaar to expand Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station amid surging demand
Dubai RTA and Emaar will expand Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, lifting capacity by 65 per cent to handle up to 220,000 passengers daily
battery
Canada’s Northern Graphite and Obeikan to open $200mn battery plant in Saudi Arabia
The Joint Venture company will be 51% owned by Obeikan and 49% by Northern; Phase 1 BAM production capacity forecast of 25,000 tonnes per year
liquefied natural gas
Commonwealth LNG secures long-term supply deal with Saudi Aramco
Aramco aims to expand LNG presence in the US market; Deal includes option to double supply to 2mtpa
Donald Trump
Kuwait, Pakistan, Bangladesh among 75 nations targeted by US for immigration visa suspension
Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Russia, Nepal, Brazil and Nigeria in the list as well; Suspension comes into effect from 21 January; It will not impact the US visitor visas
Artificial intelligence
UAE officially joins the US-led Pax Silica which aims to secure AI supply chain
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba: “Pax Silica reinforces the UAE-US technology partnership and contributes to a stable, secure foundation for the Silicon Age”
mining
Saudi Arabia to nearly double mining investment to $24.5bn by 2030
Saudi Arabia plans to lift mining investment to nearly $24.5bn by 2030, doubling FDI and targeting 20–30 per cent returns
marriott
Five new Marriott hotels planned for Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah
Marriott and Al Qimmah sign five new Saudi hotel projects adding more than 2,700 rooms across Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah
US visa
US to suspend visa processing for 75 countries: Full list revealed
The US will suspend visa processing for visitors from 75 countries under orders from Trump administration officials says Fox News
Dubai Chamber
Dubai Chamber exports and re-exports reach record $97bn in 2025
Dubai Chamber of Commerce hit $97bn in exports and re-exports in 2025, as membership, trade and global expansion accelerate
alef group
Sharjah real estate: Alef and Emaar debut Palace Residences in $136m project
Alef Group launches $136m Palace Residences Al Mamsha with Emaar Hospitality, marking debut of Palace Residences brand in Sharjah
UAE universities
UAE launches automatic degree recognition for graduates of 34 universities
UAE links 34 universities to automatic degree recognition system, enabling instant verification and fast access to jobs, visas and study
Abu Dhabi Police
Abu Dhabi Police warn public over rising online fraud using fake ads and misleading links
Abu Dhabi Police warn of rising online fraud using fake ads and links, urging the public to verify websites and report scams
US Food and Drug Administration
Popular weight-loss drugs to come without any ‘suicidal thoughts’ warning
US FDA review finds no evidence linking GLP-1 receptor agonists in popular medicines like Wegovy and Zepbound to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour
Artificial intelligence
GCC workers see pay rises in 2026 amid talent shortages and AI skills rush
Hays GCC Salary Guide 2026 shows strong hiring momentum, rising salary optimism and accelerating AI use, amid skills shortages in GCC
Donald Trump
Countries that need to be worried about 25% US tariffs on Iranian trades
China is the biggest trade partner of Iran and bought 80% of its shipped oil; Turkey and India are the next two biggest trade partners
ACRES Real Estate Exhibition
Sharjah ACRES 2026 targets $1.36bn in property deals as escrow system launches
Sharjah ACRES 2026 opens January 21, targeting $1.36bn in property transactions as emirate debuts real estate escrow account system
1 Billion Followers
UAE launches creator-led startup accelerator valued at over $130m
UAE Creators HQ and 500 Global unveil a creator-led accelerator valued at over $130m, spotlighting new startups at 1 Billion Followers Summit
