Mubadala Energy has secured the Southwest Andaman exploration Production Sharing Contract in Indonesia, giving the Abu Dhabi-based company full control of a new offshore block that strengthens its growing position in one of Southeast Asia’s most closely watched gas frontiers. The contract was awarded under Indonesia’s Gross Split regime, under which the contractor bears all operating and capital costs, and the company will hold a 100 per […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear-linked and industrial sites on Friday widened the Middle East war and triggered a fresh market sell-off, as Tehran answered with attacks across the Gulf and on regional targets, stoking fears that a longer conflict could deepen the hit to growth, trade and energy supplies. Oil climbed sharply, Wall Street fell again and investors moved into traditional […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank has secured regulatory approval to establish a wholly owned subsidiary in Kazakhstan, opening the way for one of the UAE’s biggest lenders to deepen its footprint in Central Asia and broaden access to conventional and Islamic banking services in one of the region’s most closely watched financial markets. The approval was granted by Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development […]
Cybersecurity researchers have identified a new malware campaign that embeds its command-and-control infrastructure within the Ethereum blockchain, complicating efforts by defenders to detect and disrupt operations. The campaign, dubbed EtherRAT, uses smart contracts to store instructions for infected systems, marking a shift in how threat actors leverage decentralised technologies to evade traditional monitoring. Analysts say the approach allows attackers to bypass domain-based detection methods, as blockchain networks […]
A ransomware group linked to Tehran has reappeared with upgraded capabilities, raising concern among cybersecurity researchers who say the threat actor is deploying more sophisticated techniques to evade detection and disrupt organisations across multiple sectors. Security analysts tracking the group known as Pay2Key report that its latest campaigns show marked improvements in execution methods, stealth mechanisms and anti-forensics tactics. The group, which gained attention during earlier waves […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saeed bin Suroor heads into the Dubai World Cup meeting with a chance to extend one of racing’s most enduring records, as the Godolphin trainer prepares Dubai Future for a prominent bid in the Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday. The veteran handler, long associated with Godolphin’s rise on the global stage, is aiming to push his tally at the meeting to a new […]
A decision by Donald Trump to extend a pause on military strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure into April has injected a fresh layer of uncertainty into a conflict that has already rippled across the Middle East, disrupted oil markets and heightened global inflation concerns. The move follows nearly four weeks of escalating hostilities involving Iran, regional militias and US-backed forces, with attacks on energy installations, shipping routes […]
Crowds are expected to gather across major cities this weekend under the banner of “No Kings”, a decentralised protest movement that organisers say could mark one of the largest coordinated demonstrations in years, driven by mounting political polarisation and public frustration over executive power. Activists behind the campaign describe it as a response to what they view as expanding authority within the executive branch and a perceived […]
Mozilla has released Firefox 149, introducing a suite of features aimed at strengthening privacy protections and improving user productivity, as competition intensifies across the browser market. The update, issued on 24 March, combines new browsing tools with expanded security layers, signalling a broader strategic shift by Mozilla to differentiate its flagship product from rivals such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Central to the release is a […]
Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have moved to the centre of calculations in the confrontation involving Donald Trump and Iran’s leadership, as competing narratives over diplomacy and deterrence shape global energy and security outlooks. Statements from Washington suggesting Tehran is seeking terms to end hostilities contrast sharply with signals from Iranian officials, who continue to project defiance while recalibrating their strategic posture in the Gulf. The […]
The meeting highlighted the role of LuLu Group International, which operates more than 280 hypermarkets across the Gulf Cooperation Council, in maintaining steady flows of essential commodities including rice, wheat, pulses, fruits and vegetables. Officials familiar with the interaction indicated that the discussion centred on logistics efficiency, pricing stability and the need to safeguard uninterrupted shipments during periods of geopolitical and climate-related uncertainty.
Yusuff Ali is understood to have outlined how the group has expanded sourcing networks and strengthened warehousing capacity to manage demand across markets such as United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. These countries rely significantly on imports to meet domestic consumption needs, making supply chain continuity a strategic concern for both governments and private sector operators.
India remains a major exporter of food products to the Gulf, with staples such as basmati and non-basmati rice forming a substantial share of shipments. Fresh produce, seafood and processed foods have also seen sustained demand as expatriate populations grow and consumption patterns diversify. Trade data over the past year has shown that food exports to GCC markets have held steady despite fluctuations in global commodity prices and shipping costs.
The discussion comes against a backdrop of tighter export controls imposed at various points to stabilise domestic food prices. Authorities have intermittently restricted shipments of certain grains, including rice varieties, prompting concerns among importing nations about supply reliability. Industry participants say large retailers with integrated supply chains, such as LuLu, have been better positioned to absorb shocks by diversifying sourcing and building buffer stocks.
Government officials have emphasised that export policies are calibrated to balance domestic needs with international commitments. During the interaction, Modi is said to have reiterated the importance of maintaining India’s reputation as a dependable supplier while ensuring affordability within the domestic market. The approach reflects a broader strategy of using trade diplomacy to reinforce economic ties with key regions.
LuLu Group’s operations have evolved beyond retail into food processing, logistics and distribution, enabling it to play a pivotal role in linking producers in India with consumers across the Gulf. The company sources directly from farms and cooperatives, reducing intermediaries and allowing for more competitive pricing. This model has gained traction as governments encourage greater efficiency in food supply chains.
Analysts note that Gulf countries have been investing in food security initiatives, including overseas farmland acquisitions, strategic reserves and partnerships with large distributors. Retailers such as LuLu have become central to these efforts, providing the infrastructure needed to manage large-scale imports and ensure consistent availability at the consumer level.
Yusuff Ali has previously highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships between exporters and retailers in stabilising supply. The group has expanded procurement centres across multiple states, enabling it to source a wide range of products while maintaining quality standards required by Gulf markets. Investments in cold chain logistics have also helped reduce wastage and improve delivery timelines.
The meeting also touched on opportunities to enhance bilateral trade flows through digitalisation and improved port connectivity. Industry experts argue that reducing transit times and streamlining customs procedures could further strengthen supply chains, particularly for perishable goods. With global shipping routes facing periodic disruptions, efficiency gains at origin and destination ports have become increasingly critical.
India’s engagement with the GCC has deepened across sectors, with food trade forming a key pillar of economic cooperation. The region accounts for a significant share of India’s agricultural exports, while remittances and energy imports reinforce the interdependence between the two sides. Strengthening food supply mechanisms is seen as part of a broader effort to secure mutual economic interests.
Ziff Davis has struck a new licensing agreement to launch a dedicated French edition of IGN, extending the global reach of its gaming and entertainment media brand through a partnership with European publisher eMense. The deal will see eMense operate IGN France under licence, marking the latest step in Ziff Davis’s strategy to scale its media properties internationally without direct ownership of local operations. The move builds […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Shareholders of Al Ansari Financial Services have approved a full-year dividend for 2025 at the company’s Annual General Meeting, reinforcing a payout approach that signals stability in earnings and confidence in cash flow generation. The approved distribution includes a final dividend of AED 148.5 million, equivalent to 2 fils per share, for the second half of the financial year. This follows an identical […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Prices for one of Rolex’s most recognisable sports models have climbed sharply on the secondary market, as collectors position themselves ahead of a major annual watch industry showcase that often sets the tone for production shifts and new releases. The stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II with its distinctive red-and-blue “Pepsi” bezel has seen renewed demand among traders and enthusiasts, with resale values edging […]
Threat actors are refining a deceptive cyberattack method that manipulates built-in system utilities on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS to deploy malicious software, marking a shift in how malware bypasses browser-based security safeguards. Security researchers have identified a coordinated campaign centred on a technique known as ClickFix, which prompts users to execute seemingly harmless commands through the Windows Run dialogue or macOS Terminal. By moving the […]
Artificial intelligence is emerging as the defining battleground in global cybersecurity, with defenders racing to counter increasingly sophisticated threats as cyber criminals adopt the same technologies to scale and sharpen their attacks. A report by PwC highlights how malicious actors are integrating AI into core operations, enabling even relatively inexperienced hackers to launch complex campaigns that once required advanced technical expertise. The shift is altering the threat […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Mubadala Investment Company has agreed to sell its minority stake in liquid cooling specialist CoolIT Systems to Ecolab, in a transaction led by private equity firm KKR and valued at $4.75bn, marking a significant reshaping of ownership in a sector gaining momentum alongside artificial intelligence and data centre expansion. The Abu Dhabi sovereign investor confirmed that it had signed a definitive agreement, signalling […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Travellers across the United Arab Emirates are being advised to plan journeys with caution as unstable weather conditions threaten to disrupt flight operations over the coming days, prompting major carriers to issue passenger advisories. Airlines including Emirates, Air Arabia and flydubai have urged customers to check flight statuses before departure and allow additional time at airports, citing the likelihood of delays and schedule […]
Cybersecurity researchers have identified an evolving macOS-focused malware strain, dubbed GhostClaw, that is leveraging developer platforms and artificial intelligence-assisted workflows to steal sensitive credentials and deploy additional malicious payloads. Security analysts tracking the campaign say the threat represents a shift in tactics, combining traditional social engineering with newer distribution channels tied to software development ecosystems. The malware has been observed circulating through code repositories that appear legitimate, […]
A US jury has found Meta Platforms and Alphabet’s Google liable for contributing to a young woman’s compulsive use of social media, marking a significant legal shift in how courts may assess the responsibilities of technology companies for user behaviour. The case, brought by a 20-year-old plaintiff, argued that prolonged exposure to platforms such as Instagram and YouTube fostered addictive patterns that harmed her mental health and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s transport regulator has entered a formal cooperation agreement with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Union Properties PJSC to strengthen oversight and coordination of road right-of-way management across major development projects, signalling a tighter regulatory push on urban infrastructure as construction activity accelerates across the emirate. The agreement is framed within the provisions of Law No. of 2021, which governs road regulation […]
Escalating conflict across key maritime corridors has exposed the Middle East’s dependence on imported food, with shipping disruptions forcing governments and logistics firms to reassess supply chains under mounting pressure. The warning comes from Vincent Clerc, chief executive of A. P. Moller-Maersk, who signalled that instability in the Gulf is tightening global shipping capacity and complicating the steady flow of essential commodities into the region. He described […]
Cisco has issued urgent security updates to address a critical vulnerability in its Secure Firewall Management Center software that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without authentication, raising concerns across enterprise and government networks that rely on the platform for threat monitoring and control. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2026-20131, carries a maximum severity score of 10.0 under the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, indicating […]
Liquidity conditions in Gulf Cooperation Council dollar-denominated debt markets have deteriorated sharply as geopolitical tensions tied to the US-Israel and Iran conflict weigh on investor sentiment and trading activity, according to new assessments by Fitch Ratings. The agency reported that the average liquidity assessment score for GCC US dollar sukuk dropped to 45 on March 23, 2026, from 56 at the end of 2025. Conventional US dollar […]
