World Cup 2026 draw reveals group stages for FIFA international football competition after star-studded ceremony in Washington, USA
Stories by Will Milner
Onboard wi-fi
Qatar Executive to equip entire private jet fleet with Starlink ultra-high-speed internet by early 2026
Qatar Executive will equip Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft with Starlink, delivering high-speed connectivity across private jet fleet
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
UAE unveils National Practical Training Platform to boost student readiness for labour market
The UAE has launched a National Practical Training Platform through Nafis, connecting students with training opportunities
Dubai real estate
UAE unveils major tax changes, holiday dates and record real estate growth – 10 things you missed this week
The UAE announced new tax and VAT rules, 2026 holiday dates and record real estate growth, while the GCC saw major policy shifts
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate: Imtiaz launches $272m The Symphony with Zaha Hadid Architects in major Meydan project
Imtiaz launches $272m The Symphony in Dubai with Zaha Hadid Architects, adding luxury residential, retail and office project to Meydan
ADGM
ADGM posts 48% AUM surge and strong Q3 growth as entities pass 11,900 licences
ADGM reports a 48% rise in AUM, licence growth and expanding real estate activity in Q3, reinforcing position as finance hub
Jumeirah
Jumeirah launches The Maltese Falcon as new Jumeirah Privé Experience in major luxury yachting expansion
Jumeirah adds superyacht The Maltese Falcon to its Jumeirah Privé collection, marking entry into luxury yachting with global itineraries
Aviation
‘Bomb threat’ on Emirates Dubai to India flight
A Dubai to Hyderabad, India Emirates flight was the subject of a ‘bomb threat’ according to media reports in India, passengers safe
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate records $12.47bn in November transactions as off-plan market leads activity
Dubai real estate hit $12.47bn across 17,777 deals in November 2025, driven by strong off-plan sales and mid-market demand
qatar economy
Qatar GDP growth to reach 2.8 per cent in 2025 as digital transformation accelerates: World Bank
World Bank forecasts Qatar real GDP growth at 2.8 per cent in 2025, supported by non-oil sector strength and LNG expansion
Abu Dhabi waterfront property prices surge 69% as demand outpaces non-waterfront real estate
Abu Dhabi waterfront property prices rose 69% between 2021 and 2025, far outperforming non-waterfront areas
GaStat
Saudi trade hits $144.14bn in Q3 2025 as exports and re-exports grow strongly
Saudi Arabia’s international trade reached $144.14bn in Q3 2025, up 8.6 per cent year-on-year, driven by strong oil exports
Etihad
Etihad to welcome over 2 million December passengers as winter travel demand soars
Etihad Airways expects over 2 million travellers in December as Abu Dhabi’s festive-season demand rises, urging guests to use digital services
ACRES Real Estate Exhibition
Sharjah slashes real estate transaction fees for ACRES 2026 to boost investment
Sharjah will reduce property transaction fees at ACRES 2026, offering discounts of up to 2 per cent to attract investors and boost sales
Emirates Islamic
UAE residents can invest in Retail Sukuk from $1,089 with Emirates Islamic app
UAE Ministry of Finance partners with Emirates Islamic to expand Retail Sukuk , enabling investment in fractional T-Sukuk via app
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi to deploy AI drones, self-driving vehicles and 3,000 taxis for 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi ITC will deploy AI drones, 15 autonomous vehicles, buses and 3,000 taxis for Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Dubai Economic Agenda
Google partners with Dubai SME to elevate digital capabilities of entrepreneurs
Dubai SME and Google launch scheme to boost Emirati SMEs with digital tools, ad credits and mentorship, ahead of rollout
Dubai Media City
Dubai Media City to spotlight $20.6bn MENA media boom at BRIDGE Summit 2025
MENA media market is forecast to grow to $20.6bn by 2028. Dubai Media City will highlight expansion at BRIDGE Summit 2025
End of service benefits UAE
UAE savings: Harbour Real Estate first private sector firm to join National Bonds end-of-service investment scheme
Harbour Real Estate becomes the first UAE private company to adopt National Bonds’ voluntary end-of-service savings scheme
Billionaire
Global billionaire wealth hits record $15.8tn in 2025 as UAE and Saudi Arabia lead surge in new fortunes
Global billionaire wealth rose to $15.8tn in 2025, with UAE and Saudi Arabia driving gains amid surge in inheritance and wealth creation
Cavendish Maxwell
Dubai office market hits new $843m sales high in Q3 2025 as off-plan demand accelerates
Dubai office market hit $843m in Q3 2025 sales, up nearly 90 per cent year-on-year, with off-plan deals soaring and rents rising
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate sales pass $17.5bn in November – best-performing areas and projects revealed
Dubai real estate transactions jumped 30.9 per cent in November 2025 to $17.63bn, with strong demand across apartments and villas
Saudi Budget
Saudi Arabia transport sector attracts $75bn investments and adds 144,000 jobs
Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics sector secured $74.7bn in investments as air freight, jobs and logistics centres expand
branded real estate
Dubai real estate: $245m Franck Muller Yachting branded real estate development sold out breaking ground
Franck Muller Yachting, a $245m Dubai Maritime City development by London Gate and Franck Muller, sold out before construction begins
Aviation
Emirates signs deal with Bahamasair to boost Caribbean connectivity
Emirates activates interline partnership with Bahamasair, offering single-ticket travel from its global network to Nassau and Freeport
Saudi Budget
Saudi tourism spending hits $73.3bn as visitor numbers reach 116m
Saudi tourism spending reached $73.3bn as visitors hit 116m, with strong growth in domestic travel and key international markets
factories
Saudi Arabia targets 36,000 factories and $373.3bn industrial GDP by 2035
Saudi Arabia aims to reach 36,000 factories and $373.3bn industrial GDP by 2035, as sector undergoes major transformation, Vice Minister says
Dubai real estate
Dubai Residential REIT reports 98 per cent occupancy and $6.3bn portfolio value
Dubai Residential REIT reports strong results with $6.26bn GAV, 98% occupancy, 97% retention and rising rental revenues
Military
Saudi Arabia’s military industries aim for $1.73bn GDP boost
Saudi Arabia military industries sector has expanded under Vision 2030, with local spending, jobs, and capabilities rising sharply
Artificial intelligence
UAE homebuyers see faster mortgage approvals as AI automates paperwork
AI is transforming the UAE mortgage journey as Holo automates document checks, income verification and lender formatting
DIFC
Family businesses in Dubai: DIFC and Emirates NBD sign strategic partnership to support UHNWIs
DIFC and Emirates NBD sign deal to enhance governance, succession planning and wealth preservation for Dubai UHNWIs
Better Homes
Dubai property delivers stronger returns than global markets, new report shows
Futureliving Report 2025 shows 44 per cent of Dubai homeowners earn stronger returns than overseas, highlighting rising confidence
Abu Dhabi real estate
UAE real estate sees strong Q3 performance as Dubai and Abu Dhabi record gains across sales, rents and new supply
Dubai and Abu Dhabi real estate markets surged in Q3 2025, with strong UAE rental and price growth and major project launches
uae tax
UAE announces new VAT rules effective January 1, 2026
The UAE issues new VAT amendments effective January 1, 2026, simplifying procedures and tightening refund rules and transparency
New Year
First UAE holiday of 2026 dates revealed
Workers in the UAE can already look forward to the first official holiday of 2026, with Thursday, January 1 a day off to mark New Year
Saudi Budget
Saudi Arabia approves 2026 budget: $349.2bn spending, $305.9bn revenue
Saudi Arabia has approved its 2026 state budget with $349.2bn in spending, $305.9bn in revenue and a $44bn deficit
Isra Wal Miraj
Kuwait 2026 public holidays revealed
Kuwait will start 2026 with a flurry of public holidays with official breaks for New Year and Isra and Mi’raj
crime drugs
Kuwait rolls out tough new anti-drug law with death penalty provisions
Kuwait has issued Amiri Decree Law No.159 of 2025 on combating drugs, introducing stricter penalties and confidential reporting rules
Kaspersky
Kaspersky blocks 6.3m phishing attempts as 2025 attacks hit shoppers and gamers
Kaspersky reports 2025 cyberattacks surged across shopping, gaming and streaming platforms, with more than 6.3m phishing attempts
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi overhauls engineering standards with new four-tier professional grading system
Abu Dhabi has introduced changes to engineering jobs, with new professional standards, grading criteria and career progression
Artificial intelligence
Saxo Outrageous Predictions 2026: AI CEOs, China’s golden yuan and a Taylor Swift-driven economic boom
Saxo Outrageous Predictions 2026 explore AI CEOs, China’s golden yuan, obesity drugs for pets and a Taylor Swift wedding economic boom
Dammam
Westfield Dammam launches in Saudi Arabia as Cenomi Centers rebrands Nakheel Dammam Mall
Cenomi Centers rebrands Nakheel Dammam Mall as Westfield Dammam, marking first site in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh and Jeddah next
mineral resources in saudi arabia
Saudi Arabia launches 10th exploration round across 13,000 km² in drive to unlock $2.51trn mineral wealth
Saudi Arabia opens its 10th exploration round, offering 13,000 km² as it accelerates efforts to unlock $2.51tn in mineral resources.
Department of Health - Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi unveils new Healthy Living Strategy to tackle obesity, diabetes and chronic disease
Abu Dhabi launches Healthy Living Strategy to improve prevention, nutrition, physical activity and long-term wellbeing
Dubai trade
UAE and Russia trade ties deepen as Dubai prepares to host Business Forum on December 10
Dubai will host the first UAE – Russia Business Forum on December 10, bringing leaders together to advance trade and investment
Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air partners with Uber to offer Sfeer loyalty members 6 months of Uber One
Riyadh Air Sfeer loyalty programme will offer Founding Members six months of Uber One, expanding benefits across travel and lifestyle.
eid al etihad
UAE strengthens global leadership in competitiveness, AI and space says Eid Al Etihad 2025 report
UAE marks Eid Al Etihad with world-leading rankings in competitiveness, AI readiness, digital government, renewables and space
Dubai Duty Free
Dubai Duty Free sets all-time monthly record with over $240m November sales
Dubai Duty Free posts record $240.16m in November sales, crosses $2bn year-to-date and reports strong growth in key categories
Arab
Arab GDP to reach $4tn in 2026 as inflation and unemployment fall across region
Arab GDP hit $3.8tn in 2025, with forecasts of 5.6 per cent growth in 2026 as inflation eases, unemployment falls and investments rise
Russia
Saudi Arabia and Russia agree new visa-free travel deal for all passport types
Saudi Arabia and Russia sign a mutual visa exemption allowing 90-day visits for tourism, business and family trips for citizens
Donald Trump
Donald Trump says US asylum pause for 19 countries will last ‘long time’
US has paused asylum decisions for citizens of 19 countries and there is ‘no time limit’ on resumption says Donald Trump
Qatar Central Bank
Qatar updates capital market laws with new offering, listing and M&A rules to boost foreign investment
Qatar issues new offering, listing and M&A rules to streamline capital markets, enhance transparency and support foreign investment
eid al etihad
UAE marks Eid Al Etihad 2025 with major gains in diplomacy, economy, AI and global competitiveness
The UAE marks 54th Eid Al Etihad with major advances in diplomacy, economic growth, AI, competitiveness and humanitarian aid
Cambodia
UAE–Cambodia CEPA to drive non-oil trade beyond $1bn by 2030
Cambodia’s Chamber of Commerce President says the UAE and Cambodia CEPA will push non-oil trade beyond $1bn by 2030
