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WorldShards has revealed that its Token Generation Event will take place on 5 September 2025, aligned with its debut listing on Bybit’s Spot market. The collaboration has been formalised through a partnership with Bybit, the world’s second‑largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, setting the stage for the $SHARDS token to embrace broader market accessibility.

The partnership entails a Bybit Megadrop promotion, offering participants opportunities to stake USDT or MNT and earn from a 60 million SHARDS prize pool. This initiative runs from 5 to 9 September and is intended to support early liquidity and user engagement.

WorldShards is a downloadable Web3 MMORPG developed by Lowkick Studio, rooted in a fantasy sandbox universe filled with crafting, exploration, and dynamic role‑playing. It blends blockchain elements such as NFT‑authenticated content into its interactive gameplay. The $SHARDS token adheres to a “fair launch” model, with no allocations reserved for the development team or early investors—enhancing perceived transparency and community ownership.

Ahead of its TGE, WorldShards will offer a 30‑day free access period to new players. Those who remain active for at least 25 days within that window will unlock full and permanent access to the game at no additional cost. This incentive is limited to new accounts and is designed to accelerate early engagement.

WorldShards operates on a fixed total supply model, capped at 5 billion tokens. Tokenomics are structured to distribute 60 percent for player rewards and 25 percent for ecosystem liquidity, with the remainder supporting broader community initiatives; remaining tokens are vested over six years to safeguard economic equilibrium.

Industry observers note that Bybit’s participation brings critical market exposure, offering access to its global user base—which exceeds 70 million accounts—and enhancing $SHARDS’ market liquidity and visibility. This positions $SHARDS amid the growing momentum of GameFi, where blockchain technology merges with immersive gaming economies.

While specific user metrics for WorldShards remain undisclosed, broader gaming industry data suggests a robust opportunity: in 2025, there are an estimated 3.43 billion active online gamers, with mobile gaming accounting for more than half of platform usage. Regions such as the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey have displayed notable growth in mobile gaming revenue, signalling favourable markets for adoption.

Lowkick Studio, the developer based in Abu Dhabi and founded in 2022, comprises industry veterans formerly involved in games such as World of Tanks and Allods Online. The studio’s trajectory includes partnerships with Abu Dhabi Gaming and OpenLoot, rapid community expansion exceeding half a million members, $8.6 million in NFT sales during 2024, and over 600,000 unique active wallets prior to TGE.

Within the WorldShards ecosystem, $SHARDS serves multiple functions—including item upgrades, rarity enhancements, rift processing, stat re‑rolling, and external trade—solidifying ties between in‑game progression and broader market dynamics.

Borouge Plc confirmed shareholder approval at its 29 August General Assembly Meeting for an interim dividend of US$660 million, equating to 8.1 fils per share. The move underscores sustained financial strength driven by robust pricing premia, disciplined cost management and strategic inventory realisation.

The corporation reaffirmed its intention to deliver a total dividend of 16.2 fils per share for 2025—a rise from 15.88 fils in 2024—with the final instalment of 8.1 fils set to be disbursed in the first quarter of 2026. Since its IPO in June 2022, Borouge has returned US$4.24 billion in dividends, equating to a 30 per cent total shareholder return.

Chief executive Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi emphasised that the dividend distribution reflects the company’s “consistent track record of strong shareholder returns,” grounded in disciplined cost oversight, steady pricing margins and robust operations. He also pointed to progress toward forming Borouge Group International in early 2026 and remarked that the company remains committed to delivering resilient performance and one of the highest dividend returns on the ADX.

Financial results for the first half of the year reinforce the dividend decision. Borouge posted a net profit of US$474 million, lifted by sustained volumes, favourable pricing premia and cost efficiencies. Operationally, the pivotal Borouge 4 mega‑project has surpassed 90 per cent completion and is on target for delivery by the end of 2026. Upon completion, it will add 1.4 million tonnes of annual polyolefin capacity, unlocking substantial embedded value for shareholders.

Further details of the company’s broader strategic direction were outlined. Borouge Group International, the planned global entity, is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2026, with regulatory filings and integration processes already under way. The newly formed firm is projected to become a US$60 billion global petrochemicals powerhouse and the world’s fourth‑largest polyolefins company. Following completion, the intention is to maintain an annual minimum dividend of 16.2 fils per share through to at least 2030, subject to approval.

Earlier, Borouge had signalled its intent to distribute this interim dividend when the board proposed a US$663 million interim payout on 30 July, equivalent to 8.1 fils per share, inviting shareholders to convene on 29 August. Market commentary from the second quarter further framed the dividend rationale: net profit reached US$193 million in Q2, buoyed by the timely execution of the Borouge 3 turnaround—completed ahead of schedule and within budget. EBITDA stood at US$440 million with a margin of 34 per cent, reinforcing the company’s resilience amid asset maintenance.

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 second globally in AI adoption behind only India, where the figure stands at 85 per cent. Confidence in experimenting with AI is high, with 81 per cent of local professionals saying they enjoy exploring AI tools, and 73 per cent reporting more frequent and confident usage compared with the previous year. Many describe learning AI as “a second job.”

A survey by The National found that roughly 25 per cent of the 200 respondents worry about AI’s future impact on their jobs. Yet more than half affirm that AI has made their current tasks easier, and 7 per cent report that their roles have already been replaced—though they emphasise this is based on a small sample. Roles in media, advertising and marketing appear particularly vulnerable to automation. Nevertheless, David Mackenzie of recruitment firm Mackenzie Jones Middle East maintains that, at present, AI lacks the sophistication to supplant senior professionals in white‑collar roles.

Broader sentiment in the UAE workforce is largely optimistic. A Korn Ferry workforce report indicates that 82 per cent of employees in the UAE feel positive about AI’s potential—a stance mirrored in neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Moreover, a survey reveals only 7 per cent of UAE professionals would resist working alongside AI as a colleague, compared with 21 per cent globally. There is, however, cautious pragmatism: 35 per cent support limiting automation in sensitive sectors such as healthcare and education, and 61 per cent would endorse full automation only if accompanied by a universal basic income or welfare compensation, compared with 40 per cent worldwide.

These mixed perspectives take shape against a backdrop of national ambition and infrastructural investment. The UAE has broadened its Golden Visa programme to attract global talent in AI, climate technology and advanced digital industries—a strategic move to make itself a hub for technological innovation and sustainable growth. The country’s AI strategy also includes the establishment of dedicated institutions and leadership structures, such as the Ministry of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, led by Omar Sultan Al Olama, who was appointed in 2020 as the world’s first minister for artificial intelligence.

Academic insights reinforce the nuanced impact of AI across sectors. A recent study of creative professionals—including journalists and filmmakers—reveals that while AI enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs, it also raises concerns about authenticity, cultural integrity and skill erosion. The absence of sector‑specific guidelines leaves individuals to navigate AI adoption on their own.

On a global scale, developments are shaping discourse on AI’s real effects. A Stanford‑led study has documented a 16 per cent decline in employment among workers aged 22–25 in sectors vulnerable to automation, such as customer service and software development, between late 2022 and mid‑2025. Experienced workers remain comparatively shielded as AI takes over repetitive tasks. The report emphasises the importance of policies that favour human‑AI collaboration rather than outright replacement. Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman urges professionals not to fear job loss, but rather stagnation—championing reskilling, collaboration, and a growth mindset.

These threads converge as the UAE continues to pursue its goal of becoming an AI leader by 2031—anchored in education, infrastructure, investment and workforce transformation. Yet the responses of professionals remain varied: a blend of anxiety, adaptability and optimism defines the evolving relationship between AI and work in the UAE.

Global logistics investor GLP will receive up to $1.5 billion from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, signalling the sovereign wealth fund’s first move from limited partner to direct stakeholder in the firm. The initial capital deployment of $500 million is earmarked for expanding GLP’s operations in logistics, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy, with further investment to follow in coming months.

The capital infusion aligns with growing global demand across sectors driven by e‑commerce growth, artificial intelligence and cloud adoption, and the green energy transition. GLP’s data‑centre division is notably thriving: its annual revenue surged 43 percent year‑on‑year to US $193 million.

GLP oversees approximately US $80 billion in assets through its management arm, GLP Capital Partners. This move marks a strategic shift for ADIA—long an investor in GLP’s funds—into becoming a direct shareholder in the global investment group.

In a statement, GLP co‑founder and chief executive Ming Z Mei emphasised that the enhanced capital base and strategic partnership will enable the company to “accelerate growth” and capitalise on the “secular expansion of new economy sectors in which we operate.” Mohamed Al Qubaisi, executive director of ADIA’s real estate department, noted that the transaction deepens their longstanding relationship with GLP and supports its next growth phase while scaling exposure to new economy segments.

The investment supports GLP’s diversified global platform. The firm has operations across Brazil, China, Europe, India, Japan, the US, and Vietnam, spanning logistics real estate, data centres and renewables. Moreover, the investments come amid escalating interest in digital infrastructure, particularly data centres, which are seen as pivotal to AI and cloud services growth.

GLP’s momentum is further underlined by recent capital inflows from regional partners. In China, the company secured 2.5 billion yuan from Zhejiang government‑backed investors to boost its data‑centre operations. Earlier in the year, GLP completed the sale of its ex‑China funds management business to Ares Management for US $3.7 billion, in a deal partly financed with cash and equity. The company also retains stakes in those funds and has backed Ares’s first Japanese data‑centre fund, which completed a US $2.4 billion final closing in June.

GLP’s evolution over the past decade provides further context for this development. Founded in 2009 by Ming Z Mei and Jeffrey H Schwartz, the firm originated as Global Logistic Properties. It went public in 2010 in what was at the time Singapore’s largest IPO. It was taken private in 2018, following a leveraged buyout led by a private‑equity consortium. The company has since transformed into a multi‑sector platform across logistics, digital infrastructure and renewable energy.

On the other side, ADIA stands as one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, managing a diversified global portfolio across asset classes including real estate, private equity and data‑centre platforms. This leap into a direct stake in GLP underscores the fund’s strategy of pursuing active positions in entities driving structural sectoral growth.

Menzies Aviation, the wholly owned subsidiary of logistics firm Agility, has completed its acquisition of G2 Secure Staff for a total enterprise value of $305 million, with an additional $10 million payable in 2026 upon meeting performance targets. The transaction immediately doubles Menzies’ U. S. footprint, adding more than 110 locations across key hubs such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Denver. Menzies will consolidate G2’s operations under its own brand and begin integration at once to ensure continuity for staff, clients and partners.

The acquisition is projected to result in a 20 per cent uplift to group revenue, taking it beyond $3.1 billion based on fiscal 2024 figures. This marks a pivotal expansion within the United States—arguably the world’s most dynamic aviation market—and fortifies Menzies’ standing as the largest independent aviation services provider in the U. S.

Menzies now operates across 350 airports in 65 countries, supported by a workforce numbering tens of thousands. The addition of G2’s expertise in passenger assistance, cabin cleaning, ground and air cargo handling significantly enhances its service portfolio.

Menzies’ Executive Vice-President for the Americas, John Redmond—who has led the region for nearly two decades—will continue to steer U. S. operations with support from G2’s senior leadership. Both companies emphasise that the culture and values of each will be integrated to benefit employees and clients.

Hassan El-Houry, Executive Chairman of Menzies Aviation, frames the acquisition as a strategic bet on enduring demand in the U. S. aviation sector. He notes that U. S. passenger traffic is expected to exceed one billion by 2040, amid rising airport infrastructure investments, and says the deal builds structural capacity for growth, digital transformation, and labour demand.

Group CEO Philipp Joeinig describes the deal as more than simple expansion. He highlights that the added infrastructure is “high-readiness,” tailored to meet growing airline demand for seamless service across multiple airports. Menzies plans to roll out its leading standards in training, safety, sustainability, and technology to the newly acquired operations.

Menzies and G2 are now aligned to elevate operational excellence, with the rebranded operations aimed at reinforcing both efficiency and service standards. The integration promises job creation and upskilling for the combined U. S. workforce, which will operate under unified management and best-in-class protocols.

Metaplanet, a rising star in the global financial landscape, has secured a spot on the FTSE Japan Index as part of the index provider’s upcoming September 2025 Semi-Annual review. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the company, reflecting its growing influence and the wider surge of interest in Bitcoin, of which Metaplanet is a notable accumulator.

The inclusion in the FTSE Japan Index is a noteworthy development for Metaplanet, a firm that has increasingly drawn attention for its strategic investments, particularly in cryptocurrency. By being added to such a prestigious index, the company solidifies its position as a key player in both the financial and digital asset sectors. This move aligns with the broader trend where digital currencies, including Bitcoin, are gradually being embraced by traditional financial markets, despite the volatility and regulatory challenges they often face.

This development also highlights the importance of cryptocurrency in the modern investment ecosystem. Bitcoin, the largest and most well-known cryptocurrency, has continued to capture the imagination of investors globally, with its price trajectory remaining a focal point of market analysts and institutional investors alike. Metaplanet, which has been accumulating Bitcoin in substantial amounts, stands to benefit significantly from this alignment with the FTSE Japan Index, as it opens up new avenues for investment and institutional partnerships.

For Metaplanet, this index inclusion is more than just a symbol of growth—it signals the company’s readiness to compete at a higher level in the global financial arena. The FTSE Japan Index is a barometer of leading Japanese stocks, and Metaplanet’s acceptance onto this index brings it into the fold of internationally recognized entities. This could potentially lead to more widespread institutional adoption of its business model, which is centred on the integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream investment strategies.

Experts suggest that this inclusion is likely to accelerate Metaplanet’s efforts to gain greater market exposure, especially within the highly competitive cryptocurrency sector. With major institutional investors showing increasing interest in Bitcoin as a store of value and a hedge against inflation, Metaplanet’s move to the FTSE Japan Index could drive its market valuation further, benefiting from an influx of both retail and institutional investors who view its role in the crypto market as promising.

While Bitcoin’s price has faced fluctuations, its long-term trajectory continues to be shaped by institutional interest. The broader cryptocurrency market, once considered a speculative investment class, is gaining momentum as a key asset class, with more traditional financial institutions moving towards crypto assets. For Metaplanet, this move is a calculated step in line with these market trends, positioning itself as a leader in the digital asset investment space.

The decision by FTSE to include Metaplanet in its Japan Index signals a shift in the broader financial market’s view of cryptocurrencies. As more companies within the cryptocurrency space are achieving mainstream recognition, it is becoming increasingly clear that digital currencies are not only a passing trend but a growing component of the future financial landscape.

While Metaplanet’s entry into the FTSE Japan Index is a significant milestone, the company’s focus remains squarely on its long-term investment strategy. With a growing portfolio of Bitcoin assets, the company is poised to leverage its inclusion in one of the world’s most prestigious indices to further its ambitions in both traditional financial markets and the digital currency world.

The inclusion could pave the way for Metaplanet to attract further attention from international investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin’s potential growth. As regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies continue to evolve, companies like Metaplanet are positioning themselves to navigate these challenges and capitalise on the growing integration of digital currencies into the global financial system.

The acquisition will also align with TAQA’s sustainability goals, reinforcing its commitment to providing essential services in the water and energy sectors. With water scarcity becoming an increasingly urgent global issue, TAQA’s foray into water management is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the needs of populations in water-stressed regions.

TAQA’s investment is seen as a response to the growing demand for sustainable water solutions, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, where the water scarcity issue is particularly pressing. The acquisition of GS Inima gives TAQA access to a portfolio of water treatment facilities, including desalination plants, water treatment plants, and wastewater management projects. These assets will allow TAQA to extend its reach in providing integrated solutions for water supply and wastewater treatment, addressing both operational and environmental challenges.

GS Inima, which has a proven track record in the management and operation of water infrastructure projects, will bring valuable expertise to TAQA. The Spanish company operates in various international markets, including Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. Its portfolio includes some of the largest and most advanced desalination plants globally, complementing TAQA’s existing energy and water projects in the UAE and other regions.

For TAQA, the acquisition represents a strategic diversification into a critical infrastructure segment. The company has been shifting focus toward renewable energy and sustainable projects, reflecting broader trends in the energy sector. In line with the UAE’s commitment to sustainability, TAQA aims to contribute to global water security while also expanding its renewable energy footprint.

TAQA’s expansion into the water sector also serves as a response to market trends that indicate increasing investments in water infrastructure. According to industry experts, water scarcity is becoming a more pronounced challenge, particularly in urbanising and industrialising regions. The integration of water assets into TAQA’s broader portfolio enhances its ability to deliver sustainable solutions across both the energy and water sectors, offering customers integrated service offerings.

This acquisition also signals a shift in the regional market dynamics, where energy companies are increasingly seeking to tap into water management solutions. With over 50% of the world’s population living in water-scarce regions, the water market is expected to see continued growth. The UAE, known for its ambitious water desalination projects, stands to benefit from TAQA’s increased investment in water infrastructure, ensuring a more sustainable future for its rapidly growing population.

The integration of GS Inima into TAQA’s operations will also provide the company with a solid platform for further expansion. TAQA has been involved in several large-scale water and energy projects in the UAE, such as the development of renewable energy initiatives and large desalination plants. By merging with GS Inima, TAQA can leverage its experience to improve water management solutions worldwide and position itself as a leader in sustainable water resource management.