Independent reporting from the Gulf
Business, energy, tech, and the people who run the GCC.
Loading the latest stories.
Independent reporting from the Gulf
Business, energy, tech, and the people who run the GCC.
Riyad Bank operates with SR 40 billion in capital and 7,850 staff as retail banking moves to digital payments.
From the newsroom
Independent. Every day.
Oman and the Eurasian Development Bank signed an agreement on October 6 making it the bank’s eighth shareholder and first Gulf member, opening a Gulf-Central Asia investment channel;…
News Desk1 min read
Get featured November 2026 issue
What you built, what changed and the numbers you can prove. Send your pitch to the editorial desk.
Accepted stories appear online. Only selected stories enter the monthly magazine.
The business desk
Oman and the Eurasian Development Bank signed an agreement on October 6 making it the bank’s eighth shareholder and first Gulf member, opening a Gulf-Central Asia investment channel;…
Capital Group ($3.6 trillion) won FSRA approval as a regulated investment manager in ADGM; New Mountain Capital (~$60 billion) opened an ADGM office, extending a run of global…
WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2026 places the UAE 25th of 139 economies, its first top-25 entry, after a five-place climb. Inputs rank 12th, outputs 42nd; the UAE leads…
Emirates NBD launched the UAE’s first bank-led AI travel assistant with Visa and Tripadvisor. The free tool turns a chat into itineraries from 1 billion Tripadvisor reviews and…
NEOPAY signed a definitive agreement to acquire 65% of noon payments, combining its UAE acquiring network with noon’s payments platform across three markets. The deal awaits regulatory and…
ACWA discloses SAR 9.69bn financing for a 2,313.5 MW Saudi gas plant expansion; operating impact is forecast from Q2 2029.
Ideas & innovation
The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has launched a significant digital transformation initiative to modernise its operations by integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure AI…
Dubai hosted the Fourth Asgardia Executive Congress, unveiling the Asgardia Emirates Station to advance space exploration and technology transfer.
Dubai Holding and Palantir launch Aither, a joint venture to scale AI across UAE sectors, boosting digital transformation and supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Qatar aims to increase its digital economy’s GDP contribution to over QR40 billion by 2030, creating 26,000 ICT jobs and boosting R&D investment.
DP World and Parkin are launching a smart parking system at Dubai’s Al Aweer Market to improve traffic flow and logistics efficiency.
NIP Group’s Bitcoin mining output in Abu Dhabi reaches 11.3 EH/s, making it the top private operator in MENA, boosting regional digital infrastructure.
The newsroom
Life in the Gulf
The UAE has confirmed the dates for the 2025 Islamic New Year holiday, setting up a three-day weekend for residents. Employees in both the private and public sectors…
Lammah Al Bahar Festival in Al Dhafra brought culture, fitness, and entertainment to Abu Dhabi’s Al Mugheirah Beach, attracting over 50,000 visitors.
Discover the top brunches in Dubai this weekend, featuring dining deals and experiences like City Social’s rooftop brunch and Ting Irie’s vibrant Jamaican feast.
Discover top dining spots, chilled beaches, and seasonal menus in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, perfect for beating the summer heat with refreshing drinks and vibrant brunches.
Thailand remains open to visitors during national mourning, with key attractions, hotels, and services operating normally for UAE travellers.
Explore free things to do in Dubai, including Halloween events, the Dubai Fitness Challenge, outdoor activities, and more for all ages and interests.
On & off the field
Qatar opens the FIFA U-17 World Cup today against Italy, marking the start of the tournament in Doha with 48 teams competing over 25 days.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 kicks off with Qatar facing Italy in the opener. The tournament runs for 25 days across eight Aspire Academy stadiums.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 kicks off with hosts Qatar facing Italy in the opener, aiming for a strong start in the 104-match tournament.
Dubai Ride 2025 kicked off on Sheikh Zayed Road with thousands of cyclists, featuring temporary road closures and extended Dubai Metro hours for easy access.
Al Shamal defeated Umm Salal 5-0 in the Qatar Stars League, moving to second place, with Alex Collado scoring twice in the dominant win.
Qatar’s White Oryx Cup Doha 2025 concluded with Egypt’s Right to Dream winning the U-14 title, showcasing emerging football talent from 10 countries.
