WeRide to trial robotaxi rides in Abu Dhabi without human safety driver
Author Archives: Staff Writer
cashless payment dubai
Dubai Finance and DIFC target cashless future
DIFC and Dubai Finance sign MoU to implement cashless strategy
abu dhabi flights
Etihad boosts US network with flights to Charlotte from 2026
Etihad Airways to launch direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina
Bolt
Donald Trump’s $2tn Gulf tour; Dubai Golden visa for nurses; Etihad Rail announces UAE launch – 10 things you missed this week
Donald Trump visits Saudi, Qatar and UAE, Dubai offers golden visa for nurses, Etihad Rail launch plan and more top stories this week
Dubai school
Dubai pauses 2026 school inspections: reports
Knowledge and Human Development Authority to continue pause on Dubai school inspections into 2025-2026 academic year
Green bonds
Masdar announces $1bn green bond
Masdar green bond programme reaches $2.75bn with new issuance
ADNOC
ADNOC announces deals to unlock $60bn of US investment in UAE energy projects
The enterprise value of UAE energy investments into the US is set to reach $440bn by 2035
Mira Developments
Ras Al Khaimah’s Mira Developments launches world’s first multi-branded waterfront community
The 220,000 sqm project will feature branded residences, five-star hotels and upscale dining
Aviation
Etihad Airways confirms order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft
Etihad to expand fleet with new Boeing 787 and 777X planes
Abu Dhabi
TAQA raises the topline by 3.8% as Q1 revenue touches $3.87bn
However, company’s bottom line is affected amidst commodity price volatility and a decline in oil and gas production as net income fell 1.5%
Aviation
India’s IndiGo launches direct flights to Fujairah from Mumbai
The new service marks IndiGo’s 41st international destination
Amsterdam
dnata to open dedicated animal handling center at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
The new 2,380 sqm animal centre by dnata in Amsterdam, featuring biosecure stables for over 70 horses, meets the growing demand for high-quality animal transport
checkout.com
UAE’s du Pay taps Checkout.com to strengthen payments infrastructure
The partnership enables du Pay to make use of Checkout.com’s unified platform for seamless back-end processing, accelerating financial inclusion in the UAE
Bank of Sharjah
UAE’s Bank of Sharjah and Apex Investment added to MSCI Global Small Cap Index
Five Saudi companies also added to, and three deleted, from the widely followed index after its semi-annual review
Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries
Julphar grows revenue 6.7% in Q1 and reduces its debts
Revenue reaches $97.8mn; Company reduced total bank borrowings by $104.34mn, bringing its interest-bearing liabilities to $144.3mn
Dubai
Dubai to host inaugural UAE Netball Cup 2025
The UAE Netball Cup 2025 launches in Dubai this June
Fitch Ratings
Fitch affirms Ras Al Khaimah’s A+ rating as tourism projects drive growth
Ras Al Khaimah maintains strong credit rating backed by tourism investments, low public debt, and projected 6.1% growth through 2026
Dubai
Dubai opens real estate market to Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone companies in groundbreaking move
New partnership allows UAQ FTZ companies to own Dubai real estate
AB Majlis
AB Majlis podcast: Do we really need AI in banking? Mashreq’s head of tech weighs in
Mashreq’s Group Head of Technology, Transformation & Information, Mohamed Abdel Razek, outlines plans for 70-80 AI use cases while acknowledging trust remains paramount in financial service
Donald Trump
Donald Trump in Qatar: US President announces $1.2tn economic exchange
President Donald Trump reveals $1.2tn spending agreements with Qatar and US companies
Donald Trump
Donald Trump in the UAE: $200bn commercial deals announced amid $1.4tn spending commitments
US President Donald Trump in the UAE as the Whitehouse announces massive spending plans
Al Marjan Island
Ras Al Khaimah real estate: Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island sales to open on June 1 with $680,000 branded properties
Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island goes on sale next month
Saudi Arabia and China announce $3.7bn of deals at business forum
Saudi Arabia and China agree 57 deals worth combined $3.7bn
ice cream
SCOOP: Pure Ice Cream starts work on massive solar-powered $22m factory in Dubai
Hundreds of thousands of dollars to be invested in solar-powered ice cream factory in Dubai
Driving
Dubai simplifies driving licence services with digital transformation
Dubai streamlines driver licence services with updated applications, replacements, renewals and more
Bahrain real estate
Binaa Al Bahrain launches flagship Bayview real estate project: Mohamed Alabbar
Binaa Al Bahrain launches Bayview real estate development with Mohamed Alabbar as chairman
Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail to launch passenger service in 2026
Etihad Rail announces launch plan for UAE passenger train service
National Olympic Committee
UAE Ministry of Sports launches AI platform ‘Sportifai’ for national sports governance
Sportifai was first introduced in March 2025 through a cooperation agreement between the Ministry and the UAE National Olympic Committee
abu dhabi start-ups
Google and Hub71 to support AI startups in Abu Dhabi
AI startups in Abu Dhabi look to possible $300,000 funding boost from Hub71 and Google collaboration
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s Aldar launches first Waldorf Astoria-branded residences on Yas Island
Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas is a 133-unit luxury development on Yas Island, blending elegance with world-class amenities and a focus on sustainability
Ajman
Ajman real estate transactions leap over 24% in a month to $122m
Ajman real estate transactions jumped in April as residential properties climb
Aviation
GE Aerospace, Qatar Airways strike record engine deal during Trump visit
GE Aerospace secures massive engine deal with Qatar Airways, supplying GE9X and GEnx units to power 777-9 and 787 aircraft
ACWA Power
ACWA Power expands US ties with $500mn green energy agreements
At the Saudi–US Investment Forum in Riyadh, ACWA Power deepens ties with American firms in clean energy, hydrogen, and desalination technologies
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
Saudi Arabia announces upcoming Umrah season calendar
Saudi Arabia will welcome foreign Umrah pilgrims from June 11
BlackRock
PIF strikes deals with BlackRock and Neuberger Berman to boost Saudi capital markets
PIF unveils $5 billion anchor investment in BlackRock infrastructure fund and a $6 billion partnership with Neuberger Berman to deepen Saudi capital markets and boost asset management
EMSTEEL
EMSTEEL overcomes global headwind as domestic demand stays strong
Despite a 6% YoY decrease in average steel prices, the UAE manufacturer reports $600mn in revenue; Finished goods steel sales volumes rise 21%
Abu Dhabi real estate
Ohana Development reveals interiors of AED4.7bn Jacob & Co. branded beachfront residences
Prices to start from AED22 million for signature penthouses, which feature 180-degree views and expansive interiors
E-commerce
Trendyol, Zid join forces to grow revenue for SMEs in Saudi Arabia and UAE
Trendyol and Zid’s partnership provides Saudi and UAE merchants with tools to scale operations, reach new customers, and grow online
Artificial intelligence
Sharjah’s economic department introduces AI trade name service, cutting processing time by 98%
Sharjah Economic Development Department uses AI to automate trade name issuance, enhance efficiency, and support entrepreneurship and digital transformation
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Elon Musk’s Neuralink launches first international clinical trial in Abu Dhabi
The trial will be conducted at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Space42 focused on building for future growth with its Four Pillars
Abu Dhabi-based SpaceTech company reveals its strategy for growth after muted Q1 result in which revenue fell 13% to $115mn
Deyaar Development
Deyaar posts 54% increase in net profit before tax for Q1 2025
Revenue increases 32% to $117.9mn, compared to $89.26mn in Q1 2024; Net profit before tax surges to $32.62mn from $21.13mn
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate: Wasl reveals massive Jumeirah Golf Estates expansion with 12,000 new homes
Jumeirah Golf Estates’ ‘The Next Chapter’ masterplan spans 4.68 million sqm and includes branded residences, a new golf course, and extensive green spaces
Boeing
Qatar Airways to become Middle East’s largest 787 operator with Boeing mega-deal
Qatar Airways’ record-breaking deal includes 787 Dreamliners and 777-9s, marking Boeing’s largest widebody order
ADNOC Gas
UAE’s DEWA, ADNOC Gas and Salik included in MSCI Emerging Markets Index
Inclusion scheduled for June 2; Will lead to increased liquidity as the index is widely tracked by passive funds that replicate its performance
centi-millionaire
Dubai emerges as premier destination for global millionaire migration: Report
Dubai has secured its position through a combination of factors whilst legacy cities struggle
Artificial intelligence
From first click to full service: The AI journey in financial services
Financial institutions are leveraging AI to predict client needs, automate onboarding and deliver hyper-personalised financial advice—enhancing trust and efficiency
Abu Dhabi real estate
Abu Dhabi real estate: 10 hotspots revealed; capital appreciation forecast
Abu Dhabi real estate broker identifies property hotspots and average prices
Hyundai
Hyundai breaks ground on 50,000 car a year factory in Saudi Arabia
Hyundai and PIF team up to build car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia
UAE and Jordan CEPA deal to boost non-oil trade to over $8bn
UAE strikes first CEPA trade deal with Arab nation as it launches economic partnership with Jordan
Dubai Government
Sheikh Hamdan announces leaders for key Dubai agencies
Sheikh Hamdan announced key appointments at Dubai Health Authority, Municipality, Land Department and more
Aramco
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco announces $90bn of deals with US companies
Aramco announces deals worth up to $90bn from the Saudi energy giant to US companies
Etihad
Etihad and TAP Air Portugal announce frequent flyer partnership
Etihad and TAP Air Portugal strike frequent flyer deal