Author: Arabian Media staff
Image credit: Saudi Press Agency Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have jointly witnessed the signing of a landmark agreement to develop a high-speed electric passenger railway connecting the two Gulf nations. The move underscores the deep-rooted fraternal ties and expanding economic cooperation between Riyadh and Doha. Read more-Bags to boarding: How Etihad Rail’s DWC stop will redefine UAE travel The agreement, signed by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser and Qatar’s Minister of Transport…
Image: Dubai Media Office Dubai has introduced a major overhaul of bereavement services, aiming to simplify and digitise all procedures linked to the death of a family member, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said. The move is part of the government’s wider “City Makers” initiative and is designed to offer faster, more humane support during what officials described as one of the most difficult periods for families. The transformation is driven by a new system called ‘Jabr’, which centralises processes that previously required visits to multiple government offices. Under the model, each case is assigned a government service oficer who…
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Investors are heading into 2026 with fading momentum across major global markets as record valuations, shifting fiscal signals and geopolitical uncertainty weigh on sentiment, according to FOREX.com’s recently published 2025/26 Market Outlook. “Major indices have tested multi-decade highs, but momentum appears to be fading,” said Razan Hilal, CMT, market analyst at FOREX.com. “We are seeing the early stages of a retracement phase across key benchmarks, suggesting that 2026 will be defined by recalibration rather than expansion.” US small-cap equities, tracked by the Russell 2000, are once again pushing up against the 2,500 resistance zone,…
Image: Supplied The ELIE SAAB MAISON is evolving into a complete luxury lifestyle entity, translating its haute couture DNA of meticulous craftsmanship and timeless elegance into architecture. Elie Saab Jr discusses the vision behind Stellar by ELIE SAAB in Abu Dhabi and the strategic expansion of their authentic, enduring branded residences across the GCC. As CEO of the Elie Saab Group, how do you balance the creative demands of the fashion house with the business strategy and growth of the real estate division? ELIE SAAB today is evolving into a complete lifestyle brand, one that extends beyond fashion to shape…
Image: Dubai Media Office/ RTA Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will expand the scope of its taxi ride-sharing service under a six-month trial, following a strong uptake since the initiative launched last year, the authority said. The existing route, which offers shared taxi trips between Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, has seen a 228 per cent jump in ridership, RTA said. The service has become popular among commuters looking for a quicker and lower-cost transport option between the two emirates. RTA adds two new points for taxi ride-sharing service The pilot will…
Image: WAM/ For illustrative purposes Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product grew 4.8 per cent year on year in Q3 2025, driven by strong expansion in both oil and non-oil sectors. Figures from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showed oil activities rose by 8.3 per cent from a year earlier, while non-oil activities expanded by 4.3 percent. Government activities increased by 1.4 per cent. On a seasonally adjusted basis, real GDP grew 1.4 per cent compared with Q2 of 2025. Quarter-on-quarter, oil activities increased by 3.3 per cent, non-oil activities rose by 0.6 per cent, and government activities grew…
Image: Dubai Media Office His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved a series of policy frameworks designed to strengthen urban planning, citizen housing, and the emirate’s digital resilience. The decisions were announced during a meeting of The Executive Council held at Emirates Towers, attended by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE. Aligned with the…
Mubadala Investment Company and Aldar have announced a landmark joint venture to unlock the next phase of development on Al Maryah Island, advancing Abu Dhabi’s position as the region’s leading international financial centre. With a gross development value exceeding Dhs60bn, the project covers the final major landbank on the island’s north side — almost 500,000 sqm — and will add 1.5 million sqm of new mixed-use space. The expansion will introduce significant office, residential, retail, and hospitality capacity, reinforcing Al Maryah Island’s evolution into a fully integrated global business and lifestyle hub. At the core of the development is a…
Image: Getty Images US-based Guggenheim Investments, with assets of about $357bn, is actively considering an office in Saudi Arabia and wants to capitalise on investment opportunities in infrastructure and transportation as part of its expansion in the Gulf region. The firm has an office in Dubai, the region’s top financial and trade hub, and is in the process of getting licensed in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s oil-rich capital city and home to sovereign wealth funds managing around $2tr. “We are very, very positive on the region,” Anne Walsh, chief investment officer at Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, told Reuters on the…
Image credit: WAM Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba is preparing to host one of the UAE and region’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations. The higher committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival is finalising an exceptional program that promises a 62-minute fireworks show, the world’s largest drone performance, and a diverse lineup of cultural and heritage events presented by participating countries, sponsors, and strategic partners. The annual celebration strengthens the festival’s position as a global platform for culture, entertainment, and community connection. By combining large-scale spectacles with interactive cultural experiences, the Sheikh Zayed Festival continues to attract visitors from across the UAE…