Deloitte and MBZUAI study identifies AI opportunity for businesses in the Middle East
Culture & Society
AI
G42 and Microsoft launch AI foundation in Abu Dhabi
G42 and Microsoft launch Abu Dhabi foundation to make sure AI ‘serves humanity, not just in the West, but people around the globe’
Public holiday
Qatar announces holiday
Qatar has declared National Sports Day 2025 as an official holiday
border regulations
Saudi Arabia arrested over 21,450 last week in residency and labour operations
Saudi Arabia announces more than 21,450 arrests in a single week as it clamps down on residency, labour and security breaches
The UAE Lottery
UAE Lottery results: Check winning numbers for $27m grand prize draw on February 8
Check your tickets to see if you have won $27m grand prize in the UAE Lottery on Saturday, February 8
amnesty fines
Dubai real estate supply; Exclusive Salt Bae interview; Sheikh Hamdan announces well-being resort; UAE deportations; Kuwait announces holiday – 10 things you missed this week
Dubai real estate analysis, new well-being resort announced, Brits flock to the UAE, Kuwait announces holiday and more top news stories this week
Drug
UAE to extradite drug trafficking suspect Mehdi Charafa to France
UAE approves extradition of drug crime-accused French national Mehdi Charafa
Dubai
Dubai announces car-free neighbourhood plan, updated child welfare scheme and digital transformation
Executive Council of Dubai announces initiatives to enhance society and well-being of citizens and residents
Fujairah
Fujairah announces 20% salary increase
Government employees in Fujairah have been handed a 20 per cent salary increase
Dubai
Dubai issues new law governing use of official logo with fines of $136,000 for violators
People found to be using the Dubai logo without permission will face jail time and heavy fines
CBRE
Meal deals: UAE to triple food production by 2030
UAE is investing massively in food security and logistics in the wake of supply challenges raised by COVID-19 pandemic
Consumer Behavior
Saudi Arabia’s consumer spending resilience continues into 2025: Report
Saudi households are navigating rising costs with a strategic approach, often adopting more value-oriented choices to balance their spending priorities
Kuwait
Kuwait announces 5-day holiday
Kuwait Cabinet announces extended weekend break and holiday to mark National and Liberation Days 2025
food security
Global shortage causes egg price spike amid bird flu fears: Is the UAE effected?
The global egg shortage is mainly the result of a large outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu–but is the UAE affected?
Ramadan
Ramadan 2025: E-commerce, social media drive shopping trends in UAE, Saudi Arabia
The report highlights that groceries and daily essentials remain the top spending category for UAE, Saudi consumer
Dubai
Sheikh Hamdan launches ‘Erth Dubai’ to preserve cultural legacy
‘Erth Dubai’ aims to create a repository of stories that showcase the emirate’s transformation across generations
Abu Dhabi
Side hustles in Dubai; UAE petrol prices; Saudi job localisation; Habtoor cancels Lebanon investments – 10 things you missed this week
UAE petrol prices, Dubai real estate analysis, Saudi job updates, how to get a side hustle and more top stories this week