News UAE

UAE cements position as global leader in financial inclusion

Miguel Hadchity 27/07/2026

Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — The UAE has reinforced its standing among the world’s leading countries in financial inclusion, underpinned by an integrated framework built on innovation, digitization, consumer protection and financial wellbeing. The UAE views financial inclusion as a core pillar of

Banking UAE

First Abu Dhabi Bank H1 2026 net profit rises 1% to $2.9bn

Miguel Hadchity 23/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — First Abu Dhabi Bank reported a 1 percent year-on-year increase in net profit for the first half of 2026, reaching AED 10.73 billion ($2.9 billion), while tangible return on equity remained above the group’s medium-term guidance at 18.5 percent. The group’s operating income grew 7 percent year-on-year to AED 19.50 […]

Lebanon

Trump clears US airlines for direct flights to Lebanon after historic Aoun meeting

Miguel Hadchity 22/07/2026

Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is directing his administration to permit US airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon, a move that came shortly after his first Oval Office meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, praising Aoun for what he called a “remarkable […]

Events UAE

TikTok hosts UAE Forward forum to explore digital economy growth

Miguel Hadchity 21/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — TikTok hosted the UAE Forward forum at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, bringing together senior government officials, industry experts and entrepreneurs to discuss the future of the UAE’s digital economy, in line with the “We the UAE 2031” and “UAE Centennial 2071” visions. The forum unveiled

Sport

Spain beats Argentina to win World Cup, claims $51m prize

Miguel Hadchity 20/07/2026

Spain has been crowned 2026 World Cup champions for the second time in its history, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final to claim the winner’s prize of $51 million. Runners-up Argentina take home $34 million. The match ended goalless after regulation time before Ferran Torres struck the winning goal in the 106th minute of extra […]

Real Estate UAE

Sharjah real estate trading hits $8bn in H1 2026, up 9.3%

Miguel Hadchity 17/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Sharjah’s real estate market posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, with total trading volume reaching approximately AED 29.5 billion ($8 billion), a 9.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The emirate’s Real Estate Registration Department completed 59,460 transactions during the period,

UAE

Khalifa fund joins 22nd Liwa Dates Festival, spotlighting 13 SMEs

Miguel Hadchity 16/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is taking part in the 22nd edition of the Liwa Dates Festival, running from July 14 to 23 in the city of Liwa in the Al Dhafra region, organized by the Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Authority. The Fund’s participation reflects the alignment […]

News UAE

Emirates completes retrofit of 100 aircraft in record-breaking cabin upgrade programme

Miguel Hadchity 15/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Emirates has reached a landmark milestone in its fleet-wide retrofit programme, completing comprehensive cabin overhauls on 100 aircraft, a feat the airline says represents the largest known retrofit undertaking by any carrier in the world. Since work began in November 2022, engineers at the Emirates Engineering Centre in […]

News UAE

UAE reaffirms commitment to counterterrorism cooperation at NATO dialogue in Brussels

Miguel Hadchity 14/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — The United Arab Emirates took part in a NATO counterterrorism dialogue held at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on July 9-10, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in combating terrorism and addressing evolving security challenges. The UAE delegation was headed by

Energy UAE

SEWA advances lighting projects across central region

Miguel Hadchity 13/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE – July 2026 – The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority is continuing efforts to implement and develop street lighting projects across all areas and residential communities in the Central Region. According to the Emirates News Agency, this comes following a defined plan and timeline as part of the vision […]

News UAE

Dubai’s economy grows 2.4% in Q1 2026 as UAE posts record foreign investment inflows

Miguel Hadchity 10/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Dubai’s economy continued its upward trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, with the emirate’s gross domestic product reaching AED 232 billion, a 2.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to official figures released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. Officials attributed

News UAE

Sharjah Finance Department marks 15 years of strategic partnership with Mashreq Bank’s NeoPay

Miguel Hadchity 09/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 —  The Central Finance Department in Sharjah has hailed its long-running strategic partnership with Mashreq Bank’s digital payments platform NeoPay as a model for successful cooperation between the government and banking sectors, as the two sides celebrated more than 15 years of collaboration. Director of the Central […]

News UAE

Etihad Airways signs interline partnership with FastJet Zimbabwe

Miguel Hadchity 08/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Etihad Airways and FastJet Zimbabwe signed a memorandum of understanding in Harare on to establish a new interline partnership, alongside a codeshare agreement and a frequent flyer loyalty program agreement. According to the Emirates News Agency, ticket sales are set to begin on August 24. The […]

News UAE

UAE business activity set to accelerate in Q3, says Standard Chartered

Miguel Hadchity 07/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Standard Chartered’s Global Research division has released new economic analysis forecasting an acceleration in UAE business activity during the third quarter of 2026, pointing to sustained strength in the country’s non-oil economy. According to the bank’s analysis, the UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index for

News UAE

ADNOC launches integrated global LNG trading platform

Miguel Hadchity 06/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced the launch of an international platform for marketing and trading liquefied natural gas, based in Abu Dhabi Global Market. According to the Emirates News Agency, the platform brings together the marketing operations of ADNOC Gas and XRG with the trading […]

News

World Bank approves $265m for Morocco’s Ifahsa pumped-storage hydro project

Miguel Hadchity 03/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved on Wednesday $265 million in financing to support the “Ifahsa” pumped-storage hydroelectric project in Morocco. In a statement, the World Bank said the Ifahsa project, located in northern Morocco, will function as a giant rechargeable “battery” for the […]

News UAE

EMARAT opens first service station in Armenia, marking entry into Yerevan market

Miguel Hadchity 02/07/2026

Photo credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Emirates National Oil Company, one of the national companies operating in the energy sector, has opened its first branded service station in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, in a move aimed at strengthening its presence in international markets as part of its external expansion strategy and efforts […]

News UAE

Egypt’s petroleum minister meets Dana Gas CEO, pledges support for expanded production

Miguel Hadchity 01/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with UAE energy companies and providing a stable, attractive investment climate to support their expansion in Egypt, with the aim of boosting oil and gas output and advancing shared […]

News UAE

AD Ports Group partners with IRH Global Trading to explore marine fuel bunkering cooperation at Khalifa Port

Miguel Hadchity 30/06/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — June 2026 — AD Ports Group has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with IRH Global Trading Limited to explore strategic cooperation opportunities in ship bunkering services and to support the use of alternative marine fuels at Khalifa Port. According to the Emirates News Agency, the MoU […]

GCC News

GCC reaffirms commitment to combating desertification, land degradation

Miguel Hadchity 29/06/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — June 2026 — GCC countries are continuing to strengthen efforts to protect land and restore degraded ecosystems, the GCC Statistical Centre confirmed, citing the bloc’s firm commitment to international environmental agreements and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The statement coincides with World Day to Combat Desertification and