IRAN DENIES REPORTS OF END TO WAR

Trump announces 5-day pause to US military strikes on Iran power grid

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had given orders to postpone ​any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days, hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict now in its fourth week.

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GCC ENERGY ASSETS KEY TARGETS

Trump sets 48-hour deadline to reopen Hormuz; Iran warns of ‘irreversible damage’

Sun, 22 Mar 2026

President Donald Trump has warned that the US would 'obliterate' Iran’s power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, prompting Iranian officials to threaten retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli energy and infrastructure assets in the region.

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TRUMP HINTS AT WINDING DOWN OPS

Iran's Natanz nuclear facility hit in US strikes; no leakages seen, says IAEA

Sat, 21 Mar 2026

The US ​and Israel ‌launched an attack ​on ​the Natanz uranium-enrichment ⁠facility ​on ​Saturday morning, Iran's Tasnim ​news ​agency said, as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week. No radioactive ‌leaks ⁠occurred and residents near ​the ​site ⁠were not ​at ​risk, it added.

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MONEY MATTERS

Dollar index at pivotal point amid Fed tightening, geopolitical risks

Thu, 19 Mar 2026

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is moving at a pivotal moment, reflecting the interplay of three key factors: the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening, rising US Treasury yields, and escalating geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East, said an industry expert.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Gulf's retail sector rises to the challenge amid war: Choithrams CEO

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

Diversified sourcing strategies, alternative shipping routes and stronger coordination between logistics providers and government authorities have helped maintain continuity in the movement of essential goods, says Mark Mortimer-Davies, CEO of Choithrams, in an exclusive interview with TradeArabia's Sree Bhat.

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Top This Week

Nama set to award new PPAs for 3500MW power projects in Oman

Thu, 19 Mar 2026

Nama Power and Water Procurement Company is set to ink new power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Oman's top listed power generation companies – Al Suwadi, Al Batinah and Phoenix Power - for three gas-fired Independent Power Projects (IPPs) with a combined 3,500 MW capacity in the sultanate.

Trump vows no more attacks by Israel on Iran gas field after 'fiery response'

Thu, 19 Mar 2026

US ​President Donald Trump said Israel had 'violently lashed out' by striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, in an escalation of the conflict, prompting a retaliatory attack by Tehran on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City. He ruled out further such ‌attacks by Israel unless Iran retaliated.

Bahrain approves package for businesses, citizens amid Mideast tensions

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

Bahrain’s Parliament has unanimously approved a package of fast-track measures aimed at shielding businesses and citizens from the fallout of regional tensions and recent attacks, before referring them to the Cabinet for review, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Saudi, GCC announce Friday as first day of Eid

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

Saudi religious leaders have announced that the Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Friday in the kingdom and across the Gulf region after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday (March 18) evening. Muslims in the region will therefore fast for 30 days this year.

Iran warns it will hit Gulf energy facilities after US attacks huge Pars gas field

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

In a major escalation in the Middle East conflict, Iran's huge Pars gas field was hit on Wednesday in the first ​reported strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure in the Gulf during the US-Israeli war, prompting Tehran to warn its neighbours that their energy installations would be targeted "in the coming hours".

Abu Dhabi, Dubai approve $2.59bn housing benefits to citizens

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have approved major housing benefits totalling AED9.52 billion ($2.59 billion) for their citizens ahead of Eid-Al-Fitr, reflecting the leadership’s ongoing commitment to enhancing Emirati families’ wellbeing.

stc Bahrain grants staff 10-day extended Eid holiday

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

stc Bahrain, a digital enabler, has announced a 10-day extended holiday for all its employees in celebration of Eid Al-Fitr.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) rescheduled to August

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, originally scheduled to take place from May 4 to 7 at Dubai World Trade Centre, will now take place from August 17 to 20, with the venue remaining unchanged, RX, the organiser, has confirmed.

Acwa Power buys entire 32pc Badeel stake in Shuaibah Water and Electricity Company

Wed, 18 Mar 2026

Global utility major Acwa Power has acquired the entire 32% stake of Saudi PIF company Badeel in Shuaibah Water and Electricity Company (developer of Shuaibah IWPP). With this move, Acwa Power has now become the majority stake holder in the Shuaibah company with 62% share.

Chestertons names new CEO to lead next phase of Mena growth

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Chestertons, a leading real estate advisory firm, has appointed John Stevens, an industry veteran with over three decades of experience across the Middle East and Asia as its new CEO. This significant step in the firm’s growth across the region signals a decisive move to align leadership with a rapidly evolving market.

Iran's Natanz nuclear facility hit in US strikes; no leakages seen, says IAEA

Sat, 21 Mar 2026

The US ​and Israel ‌launched an attack ​on ​the Natanz uranium-enrichment ⁠facility ​on ​Saturday morning, Iran's Tasnim ​news ​agency said, as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week. No radioactive ‌leaks ⁠occurred and residents near ​the ​site ⁠were not ​at ​risk, it added.

Air India, Air India Express boost Mideast operations with 28 more flights

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Leading Indian carriers - Air India and Air India Express - are operating 28 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to the Middle East. Of these, Air India will operate a return service each from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express will fly one each from Bengaluru, Kozhikode and Mangalore.

Cyber talent shortage among key risks to Middle East supply chains

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Shortage of qualified IT security professionals and competing security priorities are among the key challenges facing firms in the Middle East, as supply chain and trusted relationship attacks emerge as a growing threat, with one in three businesses reporting an incident in the past year, said a top industry expert.

Dollar index at pivotal point amid Fed tightening, geopolitical risks

Thu, 19 Mar 2026

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is moving at a pivotal moment, reflecting the interplay of three key factors: the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening, rising US Treasury yields, and escalating geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East, said an industry expert.

Arabian Construction Company wins Jubail Island villa project contract

Tue, 17 Mar 2026

Jubail Island Investment Company has awarded a contract to Arabian Construction Company (ACC) to deliver Packages 1 to 5 within its mega development in Abu Dhabi. The scope of work includes construction of premium three- to six-bedroom villas along with other key amenities.

Californian scientists create cancer-fighting cells in body, says study

Sun, 22 Mar 2026

Scientists at the University of California have developed a new method to treat blood cancers by reprogramming immune cells directly inside the patient’s body, rather than extracting and processing them in a laboratory, said a report.

Grant Thornton announces new UAE partner appointments

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Grant Thornton, a professional services firm providing audit, tax and advisory services, has announced the appointments of 10 new partners as part of its continued UAE expansion, adding senior leadership across multiple service lines at a time of sustained client demand and market change.

Gold holds near $4,600 as rate outlook, geopolitical risks clash

Fri, 20 Mar 2026

Gold prices are currently navigating heightened uncertainty trading at around $4,605 per ounce, caught between opposing forces that make it difficult to establish a clear short-term trend. On the one hand, the macroeconomic backdrop in the US has reinforced expectations of higher interest rates for longer.

Grant Thornton announces new UAE partner appointments

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Grant Thornton, a professional services firm providing audit, tax and advisory services, has announced the appointments of 10 new partners as part of its continued UAE expansion, adding senior leadership across multiple service lines at a time of sustained client demand and market change.

Cyber talent shortage among key risks to Middle East supply chains

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Shortage of qualified IT security professionals and competing security priorities are among the key challenges facing firms in the Middle East, as supply chain and trusted relationship attacks emerge as a growing threat, with one in three businesses reporting an incident in the past year, said a top industry expert.

FIA, UN Tourism announce inaugural sustainable sports tourism award winners

Sat, 21 Mar 2026

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced the winners of the first UN Tourism Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism, powered by the FIA.

Bahraini families, institutions show unity amid Iranian strikes

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Amid the Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and other Gulf countries, Bahraini families, community leaders, business figures and civil society organisations have issued statements emphasising their support for the kingdom, national unity, and loyalty under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad.

Bahraini families, institutions show unity amid Iranian strikes

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Amid the Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and other Gulf countries, Bahraini families, community leaders, business figures and civil society organisations have issued statements emphasising their support for the kingdom, national unity, and loyalty under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad.

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