Author: Arabian Media staff
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…
Image: Getty Images Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, has secured a major regulatory breakthrough after the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) formally approved the authorisation of its global platform, Binance.com, under a full regulatory framework. The approval marks the first time Binance’s global platform has been authorised under such a comprehensive regime anywhere in the world—a step the company describes as pivotal in its mission to build the most trusted and compliant digital-asset ecosystem. The FSRA licence provides Binance with enhanced credibility and opens access to multiple international markets…
Image credit: Getty Images Oman’s decision to grant visa-free entry to Filipino tourists marks one of its most significant policy shifts in recent years, signaling a broader push to deepen economic, investment, and tourism ties with one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. The move, which takes effect next year, positions the Sultanate as an increasingly open and competitive destination for global travelers while reinforcing its long-term strategy to diversify partnerships beyond traditional sectors. A spokesperson for the consular department at the foreign ministry in Oman affirmed that the Republic of the Philippines will be added to the list of countries exempt…
Image: Qatar Airways on X State-owned Qatar Airways has appointed Hamad al-Khater as the group’s chief executive officer, effective December 7, replacing Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the airline announced on Sunday. Al-Meer had taken over the role in October 2023 following the retirement of long-serving chief Akbar Al Baker, who led the carrier for nearly three decades and became one of the most influential figures in global aviation. Hamad al-Khater previously served as chief operating officer at Hamad International Airport and has held senior positions at QatarEnergy, bringing cross-sector operational experience to the national carrier as it continues its global expansion…
Image: Getty Images Shares of India’s IndiGo INGL.NS fell 7.5 per cent on Monday, poised for their worst session in more than a year, after a staffing crisis at the country’s top airline triggered mass flight cancellations and fuelled concerns about spiralling costs. The stock dropped to 4,974 rupees, its lowest level since May 9. IndiGo is reeling from its worst operational crisis after a pilot shortage last week, compounded by inadequate planning for new rules on crew working hours, triggered thousands of flight cancellations, stranded passengers and forced the government to intervene to curb a spike in air fares. On Sunday, the civil aviation watchdog gave the firm 24 hours to explain why it should not…
Image credit: Getty Images The UAE is entering a week defined by elevated humidity, recurring fog risks and a generally steady atmospheric pattern, according to forecasts issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). With a combination of surface and upper-air low-pressure systems influencing the region, conditions are expected to remain fair to partly cloudy through the end of the week, offering businesses and residents a clear picture of what lies ahead. Meteorologists report that the country is currently under the impact of an extended surface low-pressure system advancing from the East. Read more-Fog, dust and humidity: NCM warns of…
Image:LinkedIn Carl Grivner, a veteran telecom executive known for leading major network transformations at firms including Pacnet and Colt, heads FLAG at a moment when global connectivity is under real pressure. AI is driving unprecedented demand across subsea routes, hyperscalers are rolling out their own private systems and many high-growth regions are still relying on fragmented legacy networks. FLAG sits right in the middle of this shift, positioning itself as one of the largest privately owned, carrier-neutral subsea cable operators focused on building integrated, region-wide infrastructure rather than isolated builds. In this interview with Gulf Business, Grivner lays out why…