NEARLY 4,000 FLIGHTS DELAYED

US airlines cancel over 1,000 flights amid big winter storm chaos

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Airlines have cancelled more than 1,000 US flights during the peak Christmas travel period on Friday, with severe winter storm warnings and heavy snow forecast across parts of the Midwest and northeast, said media reports. A total of 3,974 flights were delayed across the country.

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TRADE SURPLUS SOARS 47.4%

Saudi non-oil exports jump 32.3% in October

Fri, 26 Dec 2025

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports, including re-exports, rose by 32.3% in October 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showed.

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685,000 cu m CAPACITY

Vision consortium emerges preferred bidder for Riyadh-Qassim water project

Wed, 24 Dec 2025

Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that a developer consortium led by Vision International Investment Company has emerged as the preferred bidder for the Riyadh-Qassim IWTP Project which boasts a 685,000 cu m per day transmission capacity.

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INSIGHT

IT services spend in MENA set to reach up to 28% of total tech budgets

Tue, 23 Dec 2025

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is entering a decisive, services-led growth phase in its IT sector, as enterprises and governments accelerate large-scale digital transformation initiatives, says a report.

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DEALS HIT $53 BILLION

Middle East M&A activity surges 260% despite market volatility

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

Middle Eastern mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic focus, with deal values surging 260% to $53 billion in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, a report said.

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Top This Week

US approves Wegovy pill for weight management

Wed, 24 Dec 2025

Novo Nordisk today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Wegovy pill (once-daily oral semaglutide 25 mg) to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.

57,000 new units in Riyadh’s 2026-27 residential pipeline, says report

Tue, 23 Dec 2025

Residential sales values in Riyadh hit SAR17.6 billion ($4.69 billion) in Q3 as the city prepares to deliver 57,000 new units in 2026-27, said a report. Property purchases across key cities will rise further in 2026 as new foreign ownership law takes effect.

Universal Studios in early planning stages for theme park in Saudi Arabia, says report

Tue, 23 Dec 2025

Universal ‍Studios ‍is in early planning ​stages to build a new ⁠theme park in Saudi Arabia, the Wall ⁠Street Journal ‌reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of ⁠the matter. The Comcast unit is doing initial concept work for the park.

Julphar to set up $80m pharma plant in Jeddah

Tue, 23 Dec 2025

Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries) has signed a long-term lease agreement with Modon 3rd Industrial City in Jeddah to establish an integrated pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

Dubai launches region’s first integrated recreational vehicle route

Tue, 23 Dec 2025

Dubai Municipality has launched the region’s first integrated recreational vehicle (RV) route, marking a pioneering step in developing a new model of nature-based tourism in Dubai.

Bahrain non-oil exports rise 12% to $950m in November

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

The total value of Bahrain’s non-oil exports (national origin) increased by 12% to reach BD358 million ($949.68 million) during November 2025, compared to BD319 million for same month in 2024.

Bahrain's TRA launches Satellite Direct-to-Device Services

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced the launch of Satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) services in the Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in the country’s telecommunications landscape.

Taraf, Masdar City to launch 153-acre residential masterplan in Abu Dhabi

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

Taraf, the real estate division of Yas Holding, and Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s pioneering sustainable urban district, are joining forces to develop Fay Hills, a 153-acre residential masterplan designed around sustainability, wellness, and human-centred living.

Saipem snaps up $3.1bn offshore EPCI contract in Qatar

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

Saipem, a global leader in the engineering and construction of key energy projects, has announced that it has secured an EPCI contract worth $3.1 billion from QatarEnergy LNG for the Comp5 package of its North Field NFPS Offshore Compression Complexes project.

B1 Properties closes landmark Palm Jumeirah signature plot sale

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Leading Dubai brokerage B1 Properties has achieved a key milestone with the sale of a prestigious signature plot (13,579 sq ft) located on Palm Jumeirah for AED88 million ($24 million), ranking as the highest price-per-square-foot transaction recorded in 2025.

Emerson relaunches Asco Series valve for high-demand industries

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Emerson, a global technology major, has relaunched its landmark Asco Series 327C solenoid valve with new manual reset construction versions. The valve has been specially designed targeting high-demand industries such as power plants, refineries and chemical processing facilities.

Vatel Bahrain seals partnership deal with Crowne Plaza

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Vatel Bahrain, a specialist in business management within the hospitality and tourism sectors, has signed an agreement with Crowne Plaza Bahrain to help broaden their collaboration across multiple areas and provide quality training for its students at the group’s five-star hotels.

Emerson relaunches Asco Series valve for high-demand industries

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Emerson, a global technology major, has relaunched its landmark Asco Series 327C solenoid valve with new manual reset construction versions. The valve has been specially designed targeting high-demand industries such as power plants, refineries and chemical processing facilities.

IT services spend in MENA set to reach up to 28% of total tech budgets

Tue, 23 Dec 2025

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is entering a decisive, services-led growth phase in its IT sector, as enterprises and governments accelerate large-scale digital transformation initiatives, says a report.

BNW unveils Tonino Lamborghini-branded luxury homes in Ras Al Khaimah

Wed, 24 Dec 2025

BNW Developments, a premier real estate developer in UAE, has unveiled the first Tonino Lamborghini Residences on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah offering an exclusive collection of 377 apartments alongside villas, penthouses and mansions.

Eight Abu Dhabi facilities in Newsweek’s specialist hospitals’ list

Thu, 25 Dec 2025

Eight healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi were featured in Newsweek’s Best Specialised Hospitals Middle East 2026 list, with five ranking among the region’s top 10 across multiple specialties. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi topped the Middle East rankings list.

Vatel Bahrain seals partnership deal with Crowne Plaza

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Vatel Bahrain, a specialist in business management within the hospitality and tourism sectors, has signed an agreement with Crowne Plaza Bahrain to help broaden their collaboration across multiple areas and provide quality training for its students at the group’s five-star hotels.

Gold soars to new high of $4,503 per ounce, silver hits $75

Fri, 26 Dec 2025

Gold and silver prices logged new record highs today, driven by demand for safe-haven assets and growing expectations of another cut in US interest rates next year. Platinum and palladium prices also saw notable gains, said a report.

BDB celebrates employee loyalty through Hope Rewards Programme

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), the kingdom’s leading bank for SMEs, recently hosted its Hope Talents’ Employee Loyalty Rewards Programme to honour its loyal work-force. The Programme is a key initiative designed to recognise employee loyalty and support organisations in boosting long-term engagement.

Bahrain chairs 15th GCC smart card committee meeting in Riyadh

Thu, 25 Dec 2025

The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Deputy Chief Executive of Electronic Transformation, Ali Abdulaziz Janahi, chaired the 15th meeting of the GCC Smart Card Steering Committee, held at the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

Ford debuts Middle East-exclusive Everest V6 engine line-up

Wed, 24 Dec 2025

Ford Middle East and North Africa has unveiled the new 2026 Ford Everest at the Liwa International Festival, highlighting a Middle East-exclusive 2.7L V6 EcoBoost engine and showcasing the region’s newest off-road-focused variant, the Everest Tremor.

Forbes unveils region’s Top 30 Rising Trailblazers

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Forbes Middle East has revealed its eighth annual 30 Under 30 list, celebrating the region’s most dynamic young leaders, innovative creators, and catalysts for change. Egyptians topped the list with 19 honourees, followed closely by 18 Saudis and 15 Lebanese.

Bahrain ranks high in World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index

Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Bahrain has been ranked second regionally and 15th globally among 197 countries on the World Bank Group’s 2025 GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI), a milestone achievement.

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