HORMUZ STAND-OFF CONTINUES

Trump threatens to 'punish' countries doing business with Iran

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose sweeping economic punishment on any country that provides a “lifeline” to Iran, escalating pressure on Tehran as the confrontation over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz enters a critical phase and diplomatic efforts to end the nearly six-month-old war appear increasingly uncertain.

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UAE says trade and financial transactions with Iran halted

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

The UAE has said that all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice in light of regional escalations that undermine regional and international peace and security.

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OIL PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

Iran’s grip on Strait of Hormuz weakens; Trump rules out talks

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

Iran appears to be losing significant control over the Strait of Hormuz as commercial vessels increasingly use an Omani shipping route despite Tehran’s warnings, while US President Donald Trump has ruled out any current or planned negotiations with Iran, adding to uncertainty over the strategic waterway and pushing oil prices higher.

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EXPLORATION TARGETS 100sq km AREA

Aramco, Maaden form JV to unlock mining in Saudi Arabia

Tue, 18 Aug 2026

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, and Maaden, one of the world’s fastest‑growing mining companies, on Tuesday announced the signing of a shareholders’ agreement to form a joint venture (JV) to unlock new opportunities in mineral exploration and hard-rock mining in Saudi Arabia.

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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

Air Arabia expands Germany network with Frankfurt from Dec 15

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest budget carrier operator, today announced the launch of its new daily non-stop service between Sharjah and Frankfurt, strengthening air connectivity between the UAE and Germany.

Arabian Drilling expands GCC footprint with new offshore contract

Tue, 18 Aug 2026

Saudi-based Arabian Drilling has announced that it has signed a contract with a new client in the GCC, thus marking its entry into a new Gulf market. The deal follows the early completion of its first international offshore drilling contract and the redeployment of the jack-up rig to another GCC country.

Dubai’s mid-market hotels maintain higher occupancy than premium ones in H1

Tue, 18 Aug 2026

Dubai’s mid-market hotels maintained comparatively higher occupancy than those in the premium sector in H1 2026 as regional airspace disruption and heightened geopolitical uncertainty weighed on hotel demand, says leading real estate advisory and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.

PIF delivers $120bn revenue in 2025; net profit doubles to $17bn

Tue, 18 Aug 2026

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) said in 2025 its revenue rose 9% year-on-year to $120 billion, while net profit more than doubled to $17 billion, supported by stronger contributions from maturing portfolio companies.

Trump threatens Oman as Strait of Hormuz talks face uncertainty

Tue, 18 Aug 2026

President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if the US ally obstructs Washington’s efforts to negotiate with Iran over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, adding a new and potentially destabilising dimension to efforts to restore shipping through the strategic waterway.

L&T unit secures over $1.57bn Mideast offshore facilities contract

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

Indian engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen and Toubro said its subsidiary L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore has secured an ultra-mega order, valued at over Rs150 billion ($1.57 billion) - from a major client in the Middle East for the development of multiple offshore facilities.

Diriyah secures $533m Arab National Bank funding for branded homes

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

Diriyah Company has signed a SAR2 billion ($533 million) financing agreement with Arab National Bank to support the development of branded residences within Diriyah, its flagship project to transform an ancient city near Riyadh.

AP Moller Capital to acquire majority stake in Morocco's Globex

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

AP Moller Capital has announced that its Emerging Markets Infrastructure Fund II and APM Capital Morocco Fund have agreed to acquire a majority stake in Moroccan transportation and logistics company Globex Investissement, thus reflecting the firm's focus on transportation and logistics in North Africa.

UAE banking system’s total assets rise 17.1% to AED5.3 trillion in 2025

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

The UAE banking system’s total assets increased by 17.1 percent to AED5.3 trillion at the end of 2025, while the loan portfolio expanded by 17.8 percent, primarily driven by increased domestic lending, particularly across the retail and private corporate segments.

12bn global passengers to drive airport technology push

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

With global air passenger traffic expected to top 12 billion by 2030, airports are undergoing an industry-defining transformation, with technological innovations enabling significant improvements across their facilities and helping them meet evolving passenger expectations, a report said ahead of Airport Show 2026.

Chevron advances strategic exploration programme with discovery in Angola's Block 0

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (CABGOC), has confirmed an oil and gas condensate discovery at the 105-4X exploration well in Block 0, offshore Angola.

Saudi Arabia's Bisha Airport passenger numbers top 600,000 in H1

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

Cluster2 Airports, operator of Bisha Airport, has reported significant growth in the airport's operational performance during 2025 and the first half of 2026.

Al Mammar & Steel to build new warehouse for Baazeem Trading

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

Saudi-based Baazeem Trading Company has announced that it has signed up Al Mammar & Steel Company to build a new warehouse for the company in Khamis Mushait area of the kingdom. The entire construction work will be completed within one year.

AI investment rising, but half of firms struggle to benefit, says study

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

About 80% of organisations expect AI spending to increase over the next two years, yet more than half struggle to operationalise the business knowledge AI needs to deliver business value, finds a new study.

Mazad brings new curated collection of high-end luxury to auction

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

Mazad, Bahrain’s leading digital auction and marketplace platform and a Mumtalakat portfolio company, has launche a new curated collection bringing various luxury names to the auction platform.

Brain receptors function as natural brake to halt chronic pain, study finds

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

A team of scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified a neural mechanism capable of switching off chronic neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage. The discovery centres on mu opioid receptors located within a brain region that helps regulate stress and alertness.

Sarco unit lands construction contract for school projects in Riyadh

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

Saudi Arabian Refineries Company (SARCO) has announced that its key subsidiary Raya Al Tajdeed has secured a contract from a multinational education company for the construction and finishing works of its prime projects in the capital Riyadh.

Global retail media ad spend to top $200bn as growth slows

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

The global retail media market continues to grow and evolve, with ad investment projected to surpass $200 billion this year and reach $223 billion by 2027, according to a new report. However, growth is slowing towards single digits, as retail media networks look to meet ambitious targets.

Trump threatens to 'punish' countries doing business with Iran

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose sweeping economic punishment on any country that provides a “lifeline” to Iran, escalating pressure on Tehran as the confrontation over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz enters a critical phase and diplomatic efforts to end the nearly six-month-old war appear increasingly uncertain.

Oraseya Capital partners with NQubator to support early‑stage startups

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

Oraseya Capital, the investment arm of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NQubator, an innovation platform for early-stage tech venture creation, to establish a strategic framework supporting the identification, development, and investment readiness of early-stage technology startups in the UAE.

7X approves first six EV charging station sites across emirates

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

7X, a leading transport, and logistics group, in collaboration with Emarat EV charging stations, has approved the first six EV charging station sites across facilities operated by 7X’s National Network for Logistics. These EV stations will support logistics and transport fleets and help reduce carbon emissions.

Global retail media ad spend to top $200bn as growth slows

Wed, 19 Aug 2026

The global retail media market continues to grow and evolve, with ad investment projected to surpass $200 billion this year and reach $223 billion by 2027, according to a new report. However, growth is slowing towards single digits, as retail media networks look to meet ambitious targets.

UAE rejects rumours over visa cancellations, Iran funding

Thu, 20 Aug 2026

The UAE has rejected what it described as false information and “desperate media campaigns” targeting the country, including claims that it was cancelling labour residencies and providing financial facilities to Iran.

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