ANALYSIS

Islamic finance now a 'super connector' for capital, trade: report

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Islamic finance is evolving beyond its traditional role as a source of funding to become a strategic connector between liquidity-rich markets and fast-growing economies, says a new Standard Chartered report.

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CONFUSION OVER US-IRAN TALKS

Iran, Oman near Strait of Hormuz shipping deal

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Iran and Oman have moved closer to an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, with both sides agreeing on the geographical coordinates of a proposed safe navigation corridor, even as conflicting messages over possible US-Iran negotiations continue to cloud prospects for a broader diplomatic breakthrough.

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JOB RISKS LOW IN MID-INCOME NATIONS

AI can deliver a century of development in a decade for developing nations: World Bank

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) could allow developing countries to do in a decade what might otherwise take a century — provided that governments act swiftly to close the gaps in power, connectivity, skills, and institutional quality that threaten to leave them behind, a World Bank Group report said.

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US MISSILE INVENTORY DEPLETED: REPORT

Qatar says US-Iran talks at advanced stage as Iran, Oman negotiate Hormuz

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran gathered momentum on Tuesday, with Qatar saying negotiations have reached "very progressive stages" and draft proposals for a possible agreement are now being circulated, even as Iran and Oman continued talks on future shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.

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ANALYSIS

Renewed US-Iran tensions put inflation risks back on investors' radar

Tue, 14 Jul 2026

Oil prices are climbing once again, and with them, fears that inflation could make an unwelcome return. Renewed tensions between the US and Iran have shifted investors' attention back to the impact of higher energy costs on the global economy, said a leading global market strategist.

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Top This Week

SSH named construction consultant for premium Oman cultural destination

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

SSH has been appointed the construction supervision consultant for Sayyid Tarik bin Taimur Cultural Complex, a nationally significant project in Oman. Spanning 400,000 sq m, the complex will be home to the National Theatre and a 5,000-sq-m energy and data centre all set within landscaped gardens.

Lucid announces operational reset focusing on performance

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Lucid Group, maker of the world’s most advanced software-defined vehicles and technologies, today outlined a comprehensive operational reset focused on strengthening execution, reducing cash burn and improving the customer experience, even as it announced the company's financial results for the second quarter of this year.

Wynn Resorts invests over $1bn in RAK project, targets Sept 2027 opening

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

US-based Wynn Resorts has invested more than $1 billion in the development of its landmark Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah, reaffirming its commitment to what will become the UAE's first integrated resort with gaming facilities.

Oil slips below $80 as hopes of Hormuz reopening ease supply concerns

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Oil prices remained under pressure on Tuesday after suffering steep losses over the previous two sessions, as growing optimism over a potential breakthrough in US-Iran diplomacy raised hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could soon be reopened to normal shipping, easing fears of disruptions to global crude supplies.

Eight in race for Riyadh’s Quality Valley PPP project

Tue, 04 Aug 2026

The State Properties General Authority (SPGA) and the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) have announced the qualification of eight companies and consortiums to participate in the tender for the Quality Valley Riyadh Project, a major mixed-use development planned on the headquarters site of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) in Riyadh.

Zamil Steel delivers thickest 'Made in Saudi' pressure vessels for Aramco project

Tue, 04 Aug 2026

Senaat (formerly Zamil Industrial Investment Company) has announced that its key subsidiary, Zamil Steel, has achieved a major industrial milestone by delivering specialised process equipment for the Fadhili Gas Increment Project (Package 4) for Saudi Aramco and Samsung E&A.

Projectile sinks Indian ship in Red Sea, New Delhi condemns attack

Tue, 04 Aug 2026

India on Tuesday condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel that sank in the Red Sea off Yemen after being struck by a projectile, as New Delhi renewed calls for an end to attacks on merchant shipping in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.

Alba Q2 profits jump 164% to $172.5m despite logistics disruptions

Tue, 04 Aug 2026

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter on one site, has reported a profit attributable to its equity holders of BD64.9 million ($172.5 million) for the second quarter of 2026, up by 164% year-on-year (YoY), compared to BD24.6 million for the same period in 2025.

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi appoints inaugural museum Director

Tue, 04 Aug 2026

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi today announced the appointment of Dr Valerie Hillings as the inaugural Director and CEO of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Jeddah to host Saudi real estate development expo in September

Fri, 07 Aug 2026

The Saudi port city of Jeddah is set to host the fifth edition of Real Estate Development and Ownership Exhibition (Seredo) on September 6 bringing together the kingdom's real estate industry under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

Acwa Power revenue soars to $1.2bn in H1; net profit plunges 28pc

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Saudi utility giant Acwa Power has reported mixed first-half results, with its revenue soaring to SAR4 billion ($1.2 billion) mainly driven by higher energy sales and increased O&M services earnings, while its net profit for the six-month period fell 28% to SAR653.2 million ($174.2 million).

Arsenal, Emirates continue record partnership until 2033

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Arsenal Football Club and Emirates have announced a long-term renewal of their partnership, extending one of the most recognised commercial relationships in global sport through 2033.

Acwa Power revenue soars to $1.2bn in H1; net profit plunges 28pc

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Saudi utility giant Acwa Power has reported mixed first-half results, with its revenue soaring to SAR4 billion ($1.2 billion) mainly driven by higher energy sales and increased O&M services earnings, while its net profit for the six-month period fell 28% to SAR653.2 million ($174.2 million).

Islamic finance now a 'super connector' for capital, trade: report

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Islamic finance is evolving beyond its traditional role as a source of funding to become a strategic connector between liquidity-rich markets and fast-growing economies, says a new Standard Chartered report.

Porsche Saudi Arabia unveils the Sonderwunsch 911 Targa Green Roof 2.0

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Porsche Saudi Arabia has unveiled the Sonderwunsch 911 Targa Green Roof 2.0, a bespoke creation developed through the Sonderwunsch programme, showcasing the exceptional possibilities of Porsche personalisation while celebrating the rich heritage, architecture and natural landscapes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Burjeel Holdings posts $761m revenue, 3.7m patient visits in H1

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare services provider in the GCC, delivered resilient underlying financial performance in H1 2026 with the total revenue increasing 4.4% YoY to AED2,794 million ($760.79 million), supported by patient visits exceeding 3.7 million, up 9.9% YoY.

Work in full swing on Misk City college campus in Riyadh

Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Work is moving at a steady pace on the College of Business and Digital Innovation at University of New Haven's Riyadh campus in Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City) with the project set for opening later this year. It has been designed by British education architecture firm Kampus.

Saudi retail, F&B market resilient as consumer spending hits $113bn

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Saudi retail and food and beverage market maintained strong momentum in H1 supported by resilient consumer spending - which hit SAR425 billion ($113 billion) - as well as low inflation and expansion of the non-oil economy, according to Knight Frank.

Bahraini startup Soor gets pre-seed investment from Spring

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Soor, a Bahrain-based insurtech platform, has secured a new investment from Spring, a venture studio and ecosystem builder backed by London-based global investment firm Salica and Al Waha Fund, that will enable it to accelerate its growth and product development.

Bahraini startup Soor gets pre-seed investment from Spring

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Soor, a Bahrain-based insurtech platform, has secured a new investment from Spring, a venture studio and ecosystem builder backed by London-based global investment firm Salica and Al Waha Fund, that will enable it to accelerate its growth and product development.

OMODA & JAECOO surpasses 2,000 overseas robot deliveries

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

OMODA & JAECOO’s intelligent mobility ecosystem continues to gain global momentum as AiMOGA Robotics has surpassed 2,000 cumulative overseas robot deliveries across more than 60 countries and regions.

Abu Dhabi Showdown Week kicks off with action-packed fan experiences

Mon, 20 Jul 2026

UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organisation, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is kicking off Abu Dhabi Showdown Week on Yas Island with an action-packed programme of fan experiences, athlete appearances and live events ahead of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov at Etihad Arena on Saturday (July 25).

Amin H Nasser heads Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 CEO list

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

Saudi Aramco President and CEO Amin H Nasser tops the Forbes Middle East’s sixth annual Top 100 CEOs list, which spotlights the executives leading the region’s most impactful organisations.

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