Discussions also addressed the ongoing reform process within the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)
GCC
Ministry of Health - Saudi Arabia
Riyadh hospital capacity lags global average: Report
Riyadh has 1.7 beds per 1,000 people versus 2.9 worldwide, Knight Frank says; west, east and south flagged for extra capacity by 2030
Drake & Scull International
Drake and Scull reports $1.77mn net profit as H1 revenue up 57% to $21.2mn
Strong performance in wastewater and water treatment projects across key markets, including India, Tunisia, Romania, and Jordan
LuLu Retail
Lulu Retail H1 revenue surges 5.9% to $4.1bn, net income up by 9.1%
EBITDA for H1 up 7% at $418mn and 7.6% for Q2 at $204mn; Strong growth in the UAE and KSA, but revenue declines in Oman and flat in Qatar
property technology
UAE PropTech sector to hit AED5.69bn by 2030
The UAE has emerged as the fastest-growing PropTech hub in the Middle East and North Africa, with 189 firms operating in the sector as of 2025
Dubai
Dubai Municipality launches ‘Eltizam’ app to monitor cleanliness
The move aims to strengthen enforcement of existing regulations and support Dubai’s goal of maintaining its position as the cleanest city in the world
Dubai
Where Dubai rents rose and fell in first half of 2025
Prime waterfront areas see double-digit gains while budget communities face sharp corrections
Gaming
Dubai to showcase $1bn gaming ambitions with first-ever Middle East government pavilion at Gamescom 2025
Dubai will host the Middle East’s first government gaming pavilion at Gamescom 2025, showcasing its $1bn plan to become a top 10 global gaming hub by 2033.
UAE Holidays
UAE school calendar for 2025-2026: Longer winter break and new mid-term holidays revealed
UAE school calendar 2025-2026: New term dates, breaks, holidays
beIN Media Group
beIN Sports: How to watch English Premier League 2025/26 football on TV in UAE, Saudi and across MENA
beIN Sports to stream English Premier League 2025/26 football across 24 MENA countries in the 2025/26 season
Apparel Group
From shopping bag to property deed: Dubai loyalty points can now buy real estate from as little as $544
In a first for Dubai, shoppers can convert loyalty points into property ownership
Red Sea International
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport now handling domestic and international flights
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport will welcome one million guests annually by 2030
kuwait cabinet
Kuwait announces holiday and 3-day weekend
Kuwait has announced a holiday to mark Prophet Mohammad’s birthday
Bahrain economy
Bahrain’s economy grows 2.7% in Q1 2025 as oil sector surges
Bahrain GDP grows with accommodation and food services among the most prominent non-oil activities in terms of growth
Riyadh
Riyadh bans most residential infrastructure work in evenings and weekend afternoons
Riyadh sets new working hours for residential infrastructure projects to cut noise and disruption
Dubai Chamber
Dubai Chamber welcomes 35,500 new companies as exports hit $47bn in H1 2025
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reports strong growth in first half of the year
liquefied natural gas
Qatar Gas Transport seeks $1bn loan as it looks to increase fleet size
Bloomberg reports Mizuho Bank will be the sole mandated lead arranger and bookrunner of the five-year deal