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By Nitya Chakraborty Just forty eight hours within the external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar’s candid statement that Trump has to respect red lines drawn by India at trade talks, Indian officials joining China, Russia, Taliban government of Afghanistan and even Pakistan denouncing President Trump’s bid to take over Bagram air base in Afghanistan, is […]

The article India’s Opposition To Trump Bid To Take Over Bagram Airbase Has Special Significance appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Fight Fight Fight LLC, the company behind the TRUMP memecoin, has launched a capital-raising campaign of at least $200 million with ambitions that could scale up to $1 billion to establish a dedicated digital asset treasury that would accumulate holdings of the token, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The undertaking is led by Bill Zanker, a long-time promoter and Trump ally, and signifies one of the most aggressive attempts yet to stabilise a creator-driven token through internal backing. The funds would be deployed primarily to purchase TRUMP tokens from the open market, an effort to shore up price and signal confidence in what has become a volatile asset.

TRUMP, launched just before Donald Trump’s second inauguration, operates on the Solana blockchain under two joint issuers—Fight Fight Fight LLC and CIC Digital—together controlling 80 percent of its total supply. The public tranche was released in January 2025, and the token rapidly gained speculative traction before encountering steep declines.

Insiders caution that the fundraising process is ongoing and not guaranteed to succeed in full. They also note that structuring such a treasury around a politically branded memecoin carries substantial market, regulatory and reputational risks.

Cryptocurrency analysts observe that the move is consistent with broader trends in 2025: increasingly, token issuers are creating “treasury models” to backstop flagging price action. Yet few of those are tethered so explicitly to a political figure or narrative, making the TRUMP case unique.

The token’s price trajectory has been volatile. After peaking earlier in the year, it has fallen sharply—losing more than 80 percent of its value from highs—attracting scrutiny about its speculative nature and sustainability. Meanwhile, TRUMP maintains strong social media backing and occasional high-visibility events, such as a dinner hosted by Trump in May for top token holders, which had triggered a notable price bump.

In June, plans were floated by the issuer to launch an “Official Trump Wallet” to facilitate trading and custody, but disputes emerged with World Liberty Financial. Those tensions underscored internal complexity and fragmented control within the broader Trump crypto ecosystem.

Analysts underline that for the treasury plan to have long-term impact, it must go beyond buybacks. Critics argue that stockpiling tokens may serve only short-term price support, lacking sustainable utility or integration into broader infrastructure. There is a risk that concentrated control over token issuance and vesting schedules could invite regulatory scrutiny or undermine confidence among external investors.

Institutional curiosity is emerging: Canary Capital Group has reportedly filed paperwork with U. S. regulators to launch a spot ETF tied to TRUMP. Yet the Securities and Exchange Commission’s cautious posture toward meme coins, and obstacles in listing a futures-based derivative market, could impede progress.

The broader Trump-adjacent crypto strategy has already stretched into multiple verticals. Trump Media & Technology Group announced a $2.5 billion initiative to build a bitcoin treasury, and World Liberty Financial has launched a $1.5 billion self-buy programme in its own token, WLFI. In that case, about half the funding is to be in WLFI itself, with the rest directed to debt settlement and resale.

The Labour Fund, Tamkeen, has confirmed it will organise the Kingdom of Bahrain’s pavilion at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, featuring 14 Bahraini technology start-ups and small and medium enterprises alongside the Economic Development Board and ARRAY Innovations.

The event, scheduled from 13 to 17 October 2025, promises to provide the participating firms with access to global investors, partners and industry networks. The pavilion’s aim is explicit: to boost the international visibility of Bahrain’s ICT ecosystem and facilitate business growth.

Tamkeen’s announcement places it firmly in a leadership role for the pavilion’s curation and operations. The decision aligns with its 2025 strategic priorities, which emphasise supporting enterprise growth, promoting digitalisation, strengthening private-sector competitiveness and fostering sustainability.

Officials from Tamkeen and the Economic Development Board have highlighted that the selection of the 14 entities spans multiple subsectors within ICT, including software, data analytics, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. They say the mix is intended to reflect both Bahrain’s current strengths and its ambitions for diversification.

In past editions of GITEX, Bahrain’s pavilion drew attention from regional and international delegations. During GITEX Global 2024, the pavilion was credited with facilitating multiple memoranda and partnership discussions. Tamkeen’s continued involvement signals its belief that sustained pavilion presence is critical to maintaining momentum in Bahrain’s tech diplomacy.

Some observers note that Bahrain’s tech infrastructure and regulatory environment are increasingly seen as competitive in the Gulf region. Over the past few years, the kingdom has liberalised foreign ownership rules in certain sectors and introduced incentives for startups and innovation funds. This pavilion engagement is viewed by analysts as part of a broader soft-power strategy to position Bahrain as a hub for digital investment.

However, challenges remain. For many Bahraini startups, scaling beyond domestic markets continues to be difficult. Access to international capital, navigating cross-jurisdictional regulation, and building brand recognition are persistent hurdles. Critics caution that pavilion exposure does not always translate into long-term market entry, and that stronger post-exhibition support is needed to ensure sustained growth.

Tamkeen has stated that it plans to accompany pavilion exposure with mentorship, investor matchmaking and export facilitation services for participating firms. The hope is that a combination of showcase visibility and structural support will help convert leads into lasting collaborations.

Already, the pavilion has generated interest among regional stakeholders. Several Gulf regional delegations and venture capital firms have expressed intent to engage with Bahrain’s teams during the event. The EDB is reportedly coordinating bilateral sessions between Bahrain’s entrants and visiting foreign trade missions.

For the 2025 edition, organisers have introduced a more structured schedule for pitch sessions, one-on-one meetings and thematic forums. This signals learning from past editions, where informal networking sometimes overshadowed targeted client engagement. Tamkeen officials have emphasised tighter alignment of startup offerings with investor interest sectors like fintech, AI and cloud services.

Within Bahrain’s domestic ecosystem, private sector associations and incubators have welcomed the announcement. Some have pushed for better curation, arguing that selecting firms with proven traction or clear roadmaps increases the chance that pavilion participation yields concrete contracts or investment.

Logitech will unveil a range of AI-enabled collaboration tools at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai from 13 to 17 October, aiming to show how hardware and software can merge to support hybrid and human-centred work environments.

Under its “AI-Enabled Collaboration” theme, the company plans live demonstrations of its next-generation video conferencing, audio, and workspace peripherals. These products are designed to deliver equitable meeting experiences, seamless plug-and-play deployment, and sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.

Murad Ali, Head of GCC for Logitech for Business, says GITEX offers a stage to highlight innovations in “smart collaboration” that address evolving work trends in the Middle East, and that the company is committed to sustainable design practices. Logitech will host customers and partners at its Hall 3-C30 booth to showcase these developments.

A key highlight is the Rally Board 65, an all-in-one mobile conferencing device tailored to simplify complex meetings. The system combines a 65-inch touchscreen with built-in AI features such as RightSight 2 auto-framing, Depth Blur to reduce visual distractions, and sensors that measure occupancy and room health parameters. When unused, it can automatically shift into a lower power state to conserve energy—part of Logitech’s drive to embed sustainability into its hardware.

Logitech’s approach is underscored by statements from Moninder Jain, VP & Head of Global Emerging Markets. He notes that Logitech views AI not merely as a productivity tool, but as a means to deliver “more equitable collaboration experiences.” According to him, AI is embedded in features that equalise participation between in-room and remote contributors, including consistent audio/video quality, auto framing, and cloud-based device management that lets users carry settings across devices.

In recent months, Logitech has pushed AI integration further across its product lines. It has expanded its portfolio of Intel Evo-verified peripherals, reinforcing its strategy to support high-performance, low-latency user experiences. The company continues to evolve its Rally and video bar offerings, embedding AI to enhance meeting dynamics and reduce friction for IT teams managing hybrid environments.

Logitech’s sustainability credentials also receive attention in its corporate activities. The company’s “Future Positive” programme continues to support innovation in circular design. Past initiatives include collaborations on AI-powered e-waste recycling bins and exploration of alternative magnet materials to reduce reliance on rare earth elements.

Organisers have confirmed that Future Blockchain Summit x Fintech Surge will take place at Dubai Harbour from 12 to 15 October 2025, positioning the event as a central nexus for blockchain, digital assets, and fintech innovation across the MENA region. The four-day gathering, held alongside Expand North Star and powered by GITEX GLOBAL, aims to attract regulators, investors, entrepreneurs and technologists to shape emerging frameworks for finance.

Attendance is expected to exceed 70,000, with over 1,200 investors and more than 225 speakers scheduled to participate, alongside 150 exhibitors showcasing new products and solutions. A feature highlight is the Digital Assets Forum, which brings regulators, banks, and innovators together for intensive discussions on topics such as CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenised capital markets, cross-border regulation and the role of AI in compliance.

Speakers confirmed include Jimmy Su, Lily Liu, Eric Piscini, Oliver Stauber, Helen Liu and Kevin Lee. The event also features the Supernova Challenge, a startup pitch competition offering equity-free prizes totalling US$214,000 to finalists presenting to global judges and investors. Corporations such as Ruya, OKX and DKK Partners anchor the sponsorship tiers, while YPAY backs the Digital Assets Forum.

Dubai has been steadily reinforcing its position in the digital asset ecosystem. Earlier this year, the DAMAC Group signed a $1 billion contract with blockchain platform MANTRA to tokenise its real-world assets, a move aligned with the UAE’s aspirations to become a global digital assets hub. The country has been actively implementing regulatory frameworks, particularly in free zones like ADGM and DMCC, to attract blockchain firms and promote tokenisation of assets.

Investment momentum in the broader crypto and fintech sphere in the UAE has been robust. In the first quarter of 2025, global venture capital funding into cryptotech startups reached $5.4 billion, its highest quarterly total since 2022. Dubai has hosted major conferences such as TOKEN2049, drawing tens of thousands of participants and signalling regional leadership, though industry sentiment currently balances optimism with caution amid regulatory uncertainty and macro-economic pressures.

Technology trends driving this year’s agenda include the convergence of AI and blockchain, regulatory clarity for digital assets, tokenised infrastructure, and embedded finance. A newly published academic framework proposes integrating blockchain with Zero Trust security models to improve protection against insider threats in fintech ecosystems — a demonstration of how research is intersecting with commercial deployment.

Organisers emphasise that the event’s format is more than a conference: it is designed to enable deal-making, pilot launches and real partnerships. One-to-one investor matchmaking, live product demonstrations, and structured labs are scheduled to convert ideas into actionable projects. Startups exhibiting at Expand North Star receive automatic inclusion in the Supernova Challenge, deepening integration between the startup and blockchain-fintech community.

Regulators from the MENA region and beyond are expected to engage at the forum. Discussions will centre on harmonising cross-border rules, interoperability of digital asset legislation, and pathways for institutional adoption of tokenised assets. Several central banks may share updates on central bank digital currency explorations.

iFLYTEK is stepping up its engagement in the Middle East, unveiling two flagship AI products at GITEX 2025 in Dubai as part of a broader strategy to localise its offerings and anchor its presence in the region.

The company’s showcase spans three core portfolios—AI Translation, AI Infrastructure and AI Solutions—tailored for Gulf markets, with particular emphasis on Arabic dialect support and secure deployment. Among the new offerings is the AI Translation Earbuds, designed to enable seamless multilingual communication, and the e-ink AINote 2 work device, both making their global debut at the event. The debut underscores iFLYTEK’s intent to go beyond product marketing, emphasising solutions that address regional business needs.

Vincent Zhan, Vice President of iFLYTEK, asserted that the company is focused “to deliver intelligent solutions that address real business challenges” rather than merely present tech demonstrations. The firm has already placed a local team in Dubai to oversee deployment, maintenance, and customer support. It also customised algorithms to handle multiple Arabic dialects, expecting that linguistic responsiveness will differentiate it from global rivals.

iFLYTEK’s portfolio for the event includes the Spark WallEX system, designed for intelligent space management, along with Spark Smart Blackboard and Spark GuideX. The firm says these are engineered to support a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, enterprise operations and government. Its “All-in-One AI Solution” is positioned as a secure infrastructure package for organisations seeking turnkey AI adoption.

The Middle East expansion is part of a larger international push. Outside Asia, iFLYTEK is targeting Europe, as trade tensions and regulatory pressures create incentives to diversify markets. It is reportedly planning offices in France and Hungary, with growth ambitions in Spain and Italy. In March 2025, Zhan cited tariffs in the US as influencing iFLYTEK’s decision to look more aggressively into Europe and the Gulf.

China’s AI giant also faces headwinds. It was placed on a US trade blacklist in 2019, making procurement of certain high-end components dependent on US approvals. To mitigate vulnerability, iFLYTEK has shifted many of its models to Huawei’s chip platforms. It developed its Xinghuo X1 large language model in partnership with Huawei, reportedly running entirely on domestic chips. The firm claims to have pushed chip efficiency from 20 per cent to nearly 80 per cent of equivalent U. S. hardware, though Huawei leadership acknowledges that domestic chips still lag behind by a generation.

Market observers note that iFLYTEK’s shift toward the Gulf aligns with governments in the UAE and Saudi Arabia pushing AI-first national strategies. However, the company must navigate regulatory, data residency and market competition risks. In the Gulf, local AI and language processing firms are emerging, and global players like Amazon and Microsoft are pressing deeper into the region.

iFLYTEK’s presence at major global events is integral to its positioning. In July 2025, at MWC Shanghai, it launched the Spark All-in-One AI Machine and Dual-Screen Translator 2.0—capable of handling translation across dozens of languages—to reinforce its push into enterprise AI. The company has also rolled out smart products such as the AINOTE Air 2 across Asia and Gulf markets, with strong uptake in multilingual productivity segments.

Strong demand and constrained inventory have pushed Dubai’s residential rents upward for several years. However, multiple indicators now suggest that 2026 will bring slower growth—perhaps even declines—in many segments of the market.

Headline figures already point to a deceleration. Yearly rental growth across residential properties in Dubai fell to about 8.5 percent by May 2025, down from 14.3 percent at the start of the year and 21.1 percent a year earlier. The long-term rental sector is under pressure as new supply enters the market: in the second quarter of 2025, long-term rental contracts fell 6.3 percent year on year, new contracts dropped nearly 8.9 percent, and overall rents declined 12.9 percent in quarterly comparison.

Analysts attribute the cooling largely to a surge in forthcoming housing supply. Some 150,000 new homes are expected to be completed between 2025 and 2027, representing a stock increase of nearly 20 percent in many parts of the market. Fitch Ratings projects residential property values could pull back by as much as 15 percent during late 2025 and into 2026, citing that the volume of handovers will likely outpace demand.

In the mid- and affordable segments, the impact may be most visible. Experts expect that communities with heavy handovers—such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Furjan, Dubai South, and surrounding areas—will experience downward pressure on asking rents. Nevertheless, prime areas like Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah are forecast to continue seeing double-digit rent growth, buoyed by scarcity and sustained demand for luxury housing.

A tale of two markets is emerging. In central, premium sectors, landlords maintain leverage, while suburban and emergence zones will offer more negotiation room for tenants. Springfield Properties’ chief executive, Farooq Syed, observes that the large transaction volume and development pipeline into 2026 will provide tenants greater choice—especially in the apartment segment. Cushman & Wakefield Core’s head of research, Prathyusha Gurrapu, describes the trend as “clear signs of stabilisation,” especially outside the top-tier districts.

Beyond supply and demand dynamics, shifts are occurring in tenant preferences. Short-term and flexible lease arrangements continue to gain popularity, particularly among transient professionals and investors seeking yield. In Q2 2025, short-let occupancy remained strong—AirDXB, a key player in Dubai’s short-term rental market, achieved 90 percent occupancy compared to citywide averages around 63 percent. Technology trends are also creeping into real estate: blockchain-based platforms are being tested to automate rent payments and maintenance workflows.

On the investor side, yields remain attractive. Knight Frank reports residential yields are holding in the 5–7 percent range for apartments and 4.5–6 percent for villas and townhouses. But concerns are rising about overleveraged speculative investment, especially in lower-end segments. The Financial Times recently noted that many flippers—investors hoping to resell properties quickly for a profit—are already struggling to offload unfinished units as competition mounts.

Regulatory efforts may also temper volatility. Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency continues to push for transparency and consistent valuation practices, while the broader Dubai Land Department is moving toward digital registration and enhanced oversight. For tenants, the requirement to declare all occupants in Ejari contracts—an enforcement step introduced in 2025—tightens accountability in co-living arrangements.

Macro-economic fundamentals still support the market, albeit with caution. The emirate’s population passed 3.8 million in 2025, reflecting steady migration and growth—fuelling housing demand. Moreover, Dubai continues to attract global capital, drawn by tax benefits, infrastructure, economic diversification, and a relatively stable environment across the Gulf region.

Pressures are evident however. UBS’s 2025 index flagged Dubai at “bubble risk,” warning that rapid appreciation may not be sustainable without moderation. If large-scale oversupply hits the market at once, correction cycles may deepen in specific micro-markets.

Oil prices are sliding as traders cite mounting unsold Middle Eastern crude and weakening demand from key importers. This shift raises prospects of a global oversupply even as OPEC+ debates its next policy move.

Estimates from trading houses place unsold crude cargoes for November loading in the Middle East between 6 million and 12 million barrels. These volumes represent a departure from usual patterns where discount-seeking buyers quickly absorb surplus cargoes. Market participants point to a combination of subdued Chinese demand and logistical bottlenecks as contributing factors.

Spot premiums on benchmark grades such as Oman, Dubai and Murban have plunged below $2 per barrel, reflecting the discounts sellers are forced to offer to entice buyers. One trading analyst noted that the drop in premiums signals heightened desperation amid a buyer’s market for Middle Eastern crude.

China, a traditional backstop for surplus exports, is showing signs of pulling back. In May, China recorded a crude surplus of 1.4 million barrels per day—indicating that imports significantly outpaced refinery throughput. That accumulated surplus suggests refiners are prioritising inventory building over active processing, perhaps in anticipation of future market volatility.

Iran adds another layer of complexity. Tanker-tracking firms estimate that between 23 million and 33 million barrels of Iranian crude are currently held in floating storage. While Iran’s oil minister has denied any unsold inventory, satellite and maritime data paint a different picture. Analysts say the discrepancy reflects the country’s use of ship-to-ship transfers and “ghost fleet” operations to obscure the origin and movement of crude, especially in shipments headed for China.

These movements coincide with a broader recalibration in OPEC+ strategy. Some member states, notably Iraq, have increased destination-free exports, signalling an intent to saturate markets and regain influence with trading partners. Iraq’s shipment of Basrah Medium crude is projected to rise significantly in the coming month, following a period in which pledged output increases by coalition members have lagged deliveries.

Many analysts believe that OPEC+ will proceed cautiously in its production decisions. A sudden output cut might stoke accusations of market manipulation, while continued supply expansion could exacerbate falling price trends. Ahead of its upcoming meeting, the group faces the dilemma of balancing the need to safeguard revenue against the risk of triggering a price collapse.

Meanwhile, U. S. domestic supply is contributing to uncertainty. The Energy Information Administration reports that U. S. output has strengthened marginally, offset by curtailed imports of Russian crude under tightened sanctions. But some industry observers warn that U. S. production may have peaked. One petroleum engineer pointed to a 12 percent decline in output from October 2024 to June 2025, citing state-level data that may undercut EIA projections.

Oil futures reflect growing anxiety. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate have posted their steepest weekly drops since June, falling over 8 percent in some benchmarks amid concerns that global inventories will build significantly. Traders increasingly view OPEC’s next move as critical in determining whether markets stabilise or cede ground to excess supply.

In this environment, floating storage becomes a more active tool. The accumulation of oil held offshore is not just a symptom of imbalance but a way to temporally manage supply pressure. Floating oil reserves enable sellers to delay deliveries until market conditions improve—or until buyers return.

Refiners in Asia and Europe are approaching capacity constraints. Some are cutting processing rates or entering maintenance periods, reducing appetite for new crude. Because many surplus cargoes are being offered on destination-free terms, they face competition across regions—and the lack of clear demand is forcing suppliers to lengthen delivery offers or scale back premiums.

If the pricing squeeze deepens, some producers may respond by cutting output unilaterally. Others might seek to promote further cooperation on coordinated supply restraint, though such moves carry reputational risk if markets judge them as manipulative. Meanwhile, importers in developing markets—particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia—could benefit from cheaper crude. But those gains may not offset pressure on oil-producing economies that rely heavily on export revenue to fund budgets and social programmes.