It is seen as the social media giant’s move to foster a combination of entertainment and education
Industries
Dubai
ZāZEN Properties’ The Hub Residences reports 100% sales in its first week of launch
95% of the company’s new product, the Townhouse apartments, were sold on the first day, setting a new benchmark in Al Furjan
Aramex
Aramex partners with Admiral Mobility to deploy its first electric trucks
The initiative aligns with Aramex’s strategy to pioneer sustainable logistics solutions for its clients
Artificial intelligence
Cisco reveals tech trends for 2025; praises MENA region for AI readiness
The US-based company calls the Middle East “a hub of innovation, with rapid adoption of AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and smart city initiatives”
delivery services
GCC quick retail market to see $15bn rise as Noon, Careem, Talabat and Super Apps change tack to gain consumer wallet shares
The sector is expected to see players increasingly shifting their business models to embrace multi-verticality
Ajman
Ajman real estate transactions soar 102% to $621m in December
The Ajman real estate sector sees incredible uplift of more than 100 per cent in December
Central Bank of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Central Bank awards licence to SEULAH ALAWLA microfinance firm
Saudi Arabia issues licence to 63rd finance company
Aviation
Saudi airline flyadeal announces 5 new routes, plans expansion to Pakistan
Flyadeal launches new domestic routes and reveals expansion to Pakistan in February
Dubai Duty Free
Dubai Duty Free announces 2 millionaires to start 2025
Dubai Duty Free prize draws celebrate new millionaires
music in saudi arabia
A new soundtrack for Saudi: Paul Pacifico on the future of music in the kingdom
The Saudi Music Commission has the task of creating a powerful music ecosystem in the Kingdom, with the support of the creative and commercial innovator Paul Pacifico
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate sales pushed to $63bn in H2 as one area show 35% price increase – but will they rise in 2025?
Dubai real estate enjoyed a record year in 2024, as off-plan sector took market to new heights, but will prices continue to soar?
Artificial intelligence
IO.NET founder invests $130mn in O.XYZ, the world’s first shutdown-resistant super intelligence
Shadid’s investment builds on his remarkable success as the founder of IO.NET, which he led to a valuation of $4.5 billion within just 12 months
Bitget
Crypto exchange Bitget integrates ZEN.com for seamless fiat deposits and withdrawals in 11 currencies
To celebrate this partnership, the two launched an exclusive campaign, rewarding users with a 3-month ZEN PRO trial, zero deposit fees, and up to 25% rebates on fiat-to-crypto conversions
Diabetes
Abu Dhabi’s IROS to collaborate in clinical study on obesity treatment
US-based Halia Therapeutics’ new therapy will be put to a six-month-long trial that will involve 60 patients with type 2 diabetes in the UAE
Magnitt
Saudi Arabia tops MENA venture capital funding with $750m investments in 2024
Saudi Arabia accounted for 40 per cent of venture capital funding in MENA region last year
Dar Global
Dar Global announces $1.9bn luxury real estate developments for 2025
The projects include a variety of residential, mixed-use, and luxury properties, reinforcing Dar Global’s presence in international markets
Dubai
Dubai real estate: Property market hits $136bn in 2024 transactions, says new dubizzle report
Dubai’s real estate market has truly outdone itself, hitting new heights in 2024, with over AED 500 billion in business between November 2023 and November 2024