Category: Latest Updates

A team led by Khalil Ramadi at NYU Tandon and NYU Abu Dhabi has unveiled a swallowable, wireless capsule designed to emit light inside the gut, allowing nerve cells to be activated without surgery—a development poised to transform gastrointestinal research and therapy.

The capsule, known as ICOPS, represents a remarkable leap in non‑invasive bioengineering. It employs optogenetic technology, by which specific neurons are genetically modified to respond to light.

McLaren Racing is set to be valued at in excess of £3 billion as its Middle Eastern backers move to acquire the remaining minority stake in the team. Bahrain’s Mumtalakat sovereign wealth fund and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings are preparing to buy out the 30 per cent share previously held by investors such as MSP Sports Capital, UBS O’Connor and Ares Management in a deal expected to be confirmed imminently.

This valuation marks

A landmark development has commenced as RRS International Development formally broke ground on the NH Collection Ras Al Khaimah Al Marjan Island Hotel & Apartments, a US‑$100 million mixed‑use venture in collaboration with Minor Hotels. This marks the debut of the NH Collection brand on Al Marjan Island, following its earlier branded residential entry in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Construction will yield 121 hotel keys alongside 36 branded apartments, blending five‑star hospitality

Okta Threat Intelligence has uncovered a widespread campaign exploiting malicious online ads to tempt hotel and vacation rental professionals into disclosing access credentials. Attackers have been deploying paid search advertisements on platforms such as Google Search, impersonating familiar hospitality service providers. These deceptive ads lead victims to counterfeit login portals of cloud‑based property management and guest messaging systems, with the goal of harvesting usernames, passwords and one‑time authentication

StuDIYo Lab, a design‑technology and woodworking centre for young learners based in Dubai, has entered into a five‑year memorandum of understanding with the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation, under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The agreement sets a clear trajectory for rolling out maker‑based education, inclusive workshops, bootcamps and vocational training across India and the UAE.

The collaboration begins by launching School Innovation Labs

Al Ghurair Mobility has sealed a landmark agreement with Dongfeng Motor Corporation to bring the premium electrified automotive brands MHero and Voyah into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The accord positions Al Ghurair Mobility as the exclusive regional partner responsible for the brands’ launch and rollout, in line with the country’s strategic shift towards sustainable mobility.

The deal was formalised during a signing ceremony attended by John Iossifidis,

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai Science Park to reinforce legal and technical assistance for patent registration and intellectual property protection. The agreement is set to ease processing procedures and support businesses across TECOM Group’s business districts.

Support will extend to companies located in Dubai Science Park and other hubs such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Dubai International

A quarter of white‑collar professionals in the UAE express concern that artificial intelligence might one day replace their roles, yet more than half acknowledge that AI tools have made their work noticeably easier—presenting a complex picture of apprehension tempered by appreciation.

LinkedIn data shows that 80 per cent of professionals in the UAE now use AI tools “regularly,” a significant increase from 56 per cent in 2024. This puts the UAE

Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone has launched a representative office in Dubai, strategically expanding its investment reach. The facility, situated on the ninth floor of Aspin Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, will serve as a local hub for entrepreneurs seeking seamless company registration in Ajman through a fully digital platform.

H. E. Sheikh Dr. Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of ANCFZ, inaugurated the office and highlighted its role in enhancing Ajman's position as a rising business hub.

UAE companies are recalibrating their compensation strategies amid evolving market pressures, rising costs, and intensifying competition for skilled professionals.

Salary growth across the board is projected at a modest 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting economic moderation rather than exuberance. Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey indicates that more than 28 per cent of firms plan to increase headcount, signalling a continuing demand for talent despite budgetary constraints. In-demand sectors such as technology, life sciences,

A surge of enthusiasm from the United Arab Emirates’ retail investors is bolstering domestic stock markets, signalling growing public confidence in the country’s economic trajectory. Data from the latest edition of the UAE Retail Investor Beat, conducted between 10 and 21 July 2025, shows that 85 per cent of people taking investment decisions are now allocated to UAE-listed equities, with 39 per cent invested in Abu Dhabi shares, 28 per cent in Dubai, and

McLaren Racing has confirmed that Mastercard will assume the role of Official Naming Partner of its Formula 1 team from the 2026 season, transforming the outfit’s identity to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team.

The agreement introduces Team Priceless, a global initiative designed to place fans at the heart of the action. Selected supporters will have exclusive access to distinctive behind-the-scenes experiences—from hot laps to meet‑and‑greets with drivers, alongside immersive

Saudi Arabia’s non‑oil private sector sustained strong expansion in July, although growth eased compared with June. The Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global for Riyad Bank, slipped to 56.3 from June’s 57.2, yet remained well above the 50‑point mark that separates expansion from contraction.

Domestic demand continued to underpin business activity, prompting firms to recruit aggressively. Employment surged again in July, marking another historic increase following June’s 14‑year

NMC Healthcare, one of the United Arab Emirates’ foremost private healthcare providers, has turned to Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud platform to elevate its patient-care capabilities. The agreement empowers NMC to consolidate operational and clinical data from across its network of 70 facilities, enabling real-time, AI-powered analytics to enhance point‑of‑care decision‑making and patient experience.

Christopher Habib, Chief Strategy Officer at NMC Healthcare, has emphasised that Snowflake’s infrastructure equips teams to

Dubai’s top-tier residential sector continues to outperform the global market, with capital values climbing over 5 per cent in the first half of 2025 and rental returns holding firm.

Dubai’s prime residential property market emerged as one of the strongest worldwide, ranking third behind Tokyo and Berlin in capital value growth during the first six months of 2025. Prime capital values rose by over 5 per cent, substantially ahead

Emirates NBD has joined the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Financial Services Task Force, becoming the first bank from the GCC to participate in the group of global banking CEOs aiming to mobilise large-scale capital for climate- and nature-positive investment.

The move positions the Dubai-based lender at the forefront of sustainable finance in the MENAT region, enabling it to collaborate in setting industry-wide standards for environmentally conscious banking.

Shayne Nelson, Group

DMCC and Vermiculus have formalised a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at advancing financial market infrastructure with cutting-edge technological capabilities. The agreement positions DMCC to enhance its support for nearly 26,000 member companies across its business ecosystems through AI-powered, cloud-native fintech solutions.

The MoU will explore collaborative development of technology solutions tailored to exchanges, clearing houses and central securities depositories—including joint projects and knowledge-transfer initiatives.

UAE-based Space42 has entered into a five-year memorandum of understanding with Microsoft and Esri to create the most comprehensive digital base map across Africa, aiming to serve more than 1.4 billion people and catalyse economic and infrastructural development. The “Map Africa Initiative” seeks to transform fragmented and outdated geospatial data into timely, accurate intelligence for governments, businesses and communities.

Under the agreement, Space42 will coordinate fundraising and project

A group of social media users in the UAE have been referred to the Federal Public Prosecution for breaching the country’s media content standards. The National Media Office confirmed the development on Tuesday, highlighting the authority’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and enforcing the nation’s strict media regulations.

The NMO issued a statement via the official WAM news agency, stating that its team is dedicated to identifying violations in

Dubai has witnessed the debut of COLABB, a groundbreaking real estate platform that combines investment, interior design, and digital strategy. The integrated platform, launched with the aim to reshape the regional real estate sector, seeks to streamline processes for developers, investors, and consumers alike.

COLABB promises to offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to property development, management, and design. By bridging traditionally separate fields, it hopes to create a unified

The GCC debt capital market is gearing up for a surge of new issuances following an active start to the year, despite a quiet period during the early days of August. With the market showing strong resilience, experts predict that the second half of the year could bring new opportunities for issuers, albeit under certain market conditions.

The first half of 2025 witnessed robust activity in the debt market,

The plan includes 16 early childhood centres, six

Supermarket operator Spinneys has confirmed its expansion into Kuwait through a strategic joint venture with retail powerhouse Alshaya Group. Under the agreement, Spinneys will retain a 51 per cent controlling stake and will take responsibility for running and managing all planned outlets. The rollout includes ten stores, with the first store slated to open in 2026—marking the brand’s arrival in its fourth Gulf Cooperation Council market after UAE,

Azizi Developments has entered into a strategic partnership with Modern Plastic Industry, a leading manufacturer of advanced piping solutions, to provide high-performance UPVC pipes and fittings for key construction projects in Dubai. This agreement will see MPI supply materials for Azizi's upcoming developments, including those requiring high-pressure and drainage piping systems. The collaboration underscores Azizi's commitment to sourcing top-tier materials for its growing portfolio of residential and commercial

The first half of 2025 marked a significant surge in greenfield foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia, with the United States leading the charge. American investors drove 61 projects, injecting $2.7 billion into the Kingdom’s economy, accounting for nearly a third of both the project count and total investment. This surge highlights the growing confidence of international investors in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic reforms and its

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has unveiled a new Civil Aviation Regulation aimed at revolutionising aerodrome crisis management. The regulation sets a robust framework to strengthen the nation’s airport readiness in handling emergencies, aiming to improve overall safety, response efficiency, and recovery strategies in the face of crises.

The new rules come as a response to growing demands for enhanced operational resilience at airports, which are

Hedge funds are experiencing an unprecedented influx of capital as investors increasingly turn to them for potential high returns in an unpredictable market landscape. The surge, described as the largest in over a decade, comes amid heightened volatility in global markets, with investors seeking refuge in strategies that can navigate turbulent times.

The influx is reflective of broader economic uncertainties that have marked the past few years. Inflation, interest

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company has secured a substantial AED 8.5 billion term loan to bolster its liquidity and support its long-term growth objectives. The financial facility, which spans a two-year period, is expected to enhance the company’s operational flexibility, enabling it to pursue strategic investments and strengthen its position in the energy sector. The move reflects TAQA’s commitment to enhancing its financial standing amidst an

The UAE Funds Transfer System saw a substantial surge in the value of transactions during the first five months of 2025, reaching a remarkable AED9.528 trillion. This reflects the continued growth of the UAE's banking sector and its central role in facilitating both domestic and international financial transfers.

According to the Central Bank of the UAE, the total value of transfers executed by banks

Dubai is poised to see a substantial rise in its millionaire population, with projections indicating that up to 10,000 affluent individuals could relocate to the emirate by the end of 2024. This influx is expected to further solidify Dubai's position as a premier destination for global wealth, driven by a combination of favourable tax policies, a booming property market, and a growing reputation as a business hub.

As of

Dubai has begun trial operations of its pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in Hatta, delivering electricity into the city’s grid. The facility, which has already generated more than 17,900 MWh during testing, will free up surplus power beyond Hatta’s 39 MW local demand for export. Emirates 247 cites HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, confirming the start of electricity exports from

A bold partnership between the Central Bank of the UAE and Presight, the AI arm of G42, is unfolding a new era in financial infrastructure. The joint venture will embed artificial intelligence across core systems – spanning digital currency, instant and real-time payments, card services and open finance platforms – designed, built, and managed within the UAE. The agreement places AI at the heart of systems such

The Jafurah field, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, is one of the largest non-associated gas developments globally, with estimated