US NAVAL BLOCKADE TO STAY

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz fully open during ceasefire

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Iran has announced that commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain fully open for the duration of the current ceasefire, signalling a potential easing of tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

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JEDDAH- DAMMAM LINK

Sener wins design contract for Saudi Landbridge rail project

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step forward on its long-planned Landbridge railway, awarding Spanish engineering firm Sener the lead design contract for the multi-billion-dollar project linking the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf, according to published reports.

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DEAL OVER NUCLEAR ISSUE SEEN

US-Iran peace talks likely during weekend, says Trump

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Momentum is building toward US-Iran peace talks over the weekend following a possible agreement over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the ceasefire in Lebanon.

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MENAP GROWTH SEEN AT 1.4%

IMF flags sharp growth slowdown in Middle East due to war

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Growth across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAP) region is set to slow sharply in 2026 following the economic shock triggered by the recent US–Israel–Iran war, the International Monetary Fund has warned.

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INSIGHT

Saudi, UAE firms prioritise AI and supply chain redesign: HSBC Survey

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Businesses and investors in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are holding firm on their medium-term strategies despite the current situation in the Middle East, supported by intraregional supply chain redesign and increased use of AI, says an HSBC study.

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Top This Week

Malaysian group MGB lands contract to build 75 Roshn villas

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

MGB, a leading construction, property development and IBS precast concrete manufacturer, has secured a key contract from leading Saudi developer Roshn for the construction of 75 villas under its Marafy Al Arous Development Project in Jeddah.

Gulf Air to reinstate full global network by June 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, is gradually resuming flights, aiming to serve over 50 destinations by June 2026. Interim operations continue from King Fahd International Airport until April 30, following Bahrain’s airspace reopening.

PIF to support development of 100,000 hotel rooms, 70 tourism experiences

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) tourism, travel, and entertainment ecosystem aims to capitalise on the growing Saudi tourism industry by developing strategic assets that generate reliable returns, improving air‑connectivity and leveraging world‑class events to attract visitors.

NEOM initiatives will be rolled out in stages, focus on Oxagon now: PIF Governor

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan said NEOM projects are presently being restructured to achieve higher economic efficiency and long‑term financial sustainability.

PIF launches 2026-2030 strategy; focus on six integrated ecosystems

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has approved its 2026-2030 strategy which focuses on transforming PIF’s portfolio of 13 strategic sectors into six integrated economic ecosystems, strengthening the linkages among them and creating a broader spectrum of partnership and investment opportunities for the private sector.

Iran signals free Strait access via Omani side if deal reached

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Fresh diplomatic signals from Tehran and Washington have raised cautious optimism about a potential deal to de-escalate tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and end the war.

Digital Dubai launches ‘AI+’ to train 50,000 govt staff

Wed, 15 Apr 2026

Digital Dubai has launched the “AI Workforce Transformation Program (AI+),” a strategic initiative to train 50,000 Dubai Government employees.

Amaal awards contract for $490m Mansory branded residential tower

Wed, 15 Apr 2026

UAE developer Amaal has awarded the main contract for Mansory Residences, the world’s first residential tower for the high-end vehicle brand, being set up at an investment of AED1.8 billion ($490 million) in Dubai. Set for completion in 2028, it comprises one- to four-bedroom homes and full-floor penthouses.

Gallega Global Logistics launches 1 million sq ft finished vehicles hub in Jafza

Wed, 15 Apr 2026

Gallega Global Logistics, a multi-sector integrated logistics service provider and a subsidiary of Ghassan Aboud Holding and EasyLease, has launched a new 1 million sq ft secure Finished Vehicles Hub in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), set to go live in May.

Aldar announces $762m residential development plan in Abu Dhabi

Sat, 18 Apr 2026

Leading UAE developer Aldar is set to build two integrated communities in Mohamed Bin Zayed City and Baniyas in Abu Dhabi that will deliver 9,000 new residential units across the emirate. With AED2.8 billion ($762 million) gross development value, these projects will add to Aldar’s develop-to-hold pipeline.

Abu Dhabi's Global South Utilities boosts Africa renewable energy portfolio

Sat, 18 Apr 2026

Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities (GSU) has achieved several major milestones in 2025, including the expansion of its renewable energy portfolio across Africa, thus contributing to powering more than 500,000 homes. In Egypt, it was part of an international consortium to develop a $220m solar plant facility.

Etihad Airways unveils six new destinations in Africa

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its Africa network, adding new routes to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe from Abu Dhabi, as part of its continued global growth strategy.

EDGE joins forces with Indra to develop GenNext radar systems

Sat, 18 Apr 2026

EDGE, one of the world’s advanced technology groups based in UAE, said it has joined hands with Spanish defence major Indra Group to jointly explore the development and production of next-generation radar systems in Brazil. The agreement lays the groundwork for a tripartite strategic collaboration.

Saudi, UAE firms prioritise AI and supply chain redesign: HSBC Survey

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Businesses and investors in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are holding firm on their medium-term strategies despite the current situation in the Middle East, supported by intraregional supply chain redesign and increased use of AI, says an HSBC study.

Rolls-Royce presents Project Nightingale, a Coachbuild Collection

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has presented Project Nightingale, a Coachbuild Collection, an extraordinary production concept of an open two-seat motor car that introduces a dramatic new expression of Rolls-Royce design.

‘Enhanced Games’ actively encourages doping, finds CNN report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

A controversial new sporting venture is challenging one of the most fundamental principles of modern athletics — the ban on performance-enhancing drugs.

Digital Dubai launches ‘AI+’ to train 50,000 govt staff

Wed, 15 Apr 2026

Digital Dubai has launched the “AI Workforce Transformation Program (AI+),” a strategic initiative to train 50,000 Dubai Government employees.

Strong demand drives Dubai's retail, warehouse growth in 2025, says report

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Dubai’s retail and warehouse sectors demonstrated resilience and growth in 2025, backed by strong fundamentals including record tourism, population boom and e-commerce activity. Both sectors, however, faced tightening supply conditions that shaped market dynamics throughout the year, said a report.

IMF flags sharp growth slowdown in Middle East due to war

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Growth across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAP) region is set to slow sharply in 2026 following the economic shock triggered by the recent US–Israel–Iran war, the International Monetary Fund has warned.

KEO, MHA partner to deliver integrated data center solutions in GCC

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

KEO, a leading multidisciplinary consulting firm, and Margulies Hoelzli Architecture (MHA), a leader in data center and mission-critical design, have entered into a strategic partnership to deliver end-to-end data center solutions for developers and investors across the GCC and Europe.

Nissan's new strategy to focus on AI-driven mobility and customer experience

Wed, 15 Apr 2026

Nissan Motor Co has unveiled a new long-term vision aimed at reshaping its future around artificial intelligence-led mobility and a stronger focus on customer experience.

Art Dubai special edition to highlight Dubai’s appeal as creative hub

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Art Dubai, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the preliminary list of participants for its 2026 special edition taking place at Madinat Jumeirah from May 15 to 17 May.

US-Iran peace talks likely during weekend, says Trump

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Momentum is building toward US-Iran peace talks over the weekend following a possible agreement over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the ceasefire in Lebanon.

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