Health

Interpol operation seizes $65 million in counterfeit pharmaceuticals in global bust

Arnold Pinto 03/07/2025

Record 769 arrests made Authorities in 90 countries have seized over 50 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals valued at $65 million in a major global operation targeting counterfeit and unapproved medicines. The six-month crackdown, coordinated by Interpol under Operation Pangea XVII, led to

Aviation Cybersecurity Travel

You may be affected as Qantas confirms unprecedented data breach

Arnold Pinto 03/07/2025

Impacting 6 million customer records Qantas Airways has confirmed that a cyberattack on one of its third-party contact centres has compromised customer data, affecting up to six million service records. The Australian airline has not specified which vendor operates the compromised platform or whether that provider also services other airlines in the Asia-Pacific or Middle

Cybersecurity Defence & Security

Interpol flags global expansion of human trafficking-fuelled scam networks

Arnold Pinto 03/07/2025

West Africa is a growing hub Online scam operations linked to human trafficking are spreading rapidly across continents, with new hotspots emerging in the Middle East and Africa, according to a new crime trend update released by Interpol. The international policing body said that as of March 2025, trafficking victims from 66 countries have been […]

Appointments Energy GCC

Niko Cornelis to lead GCC operations of Engie

News Desk 02/07/2025

Amid regional energy transition French power company Engie has appointed Niko Cornelis as its new Country Manager for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, expanding his remit in the region at a time of rising demand for renewable energy and infrastructure development. Cornelis, based in Dubai, continues in his current role as Managing Director for […]

Defence & Security

UN: Iran faces humanitarian pressures following conflict with Israel

Arnold Pinto 02/07/2025

Tehran saw a large-scale exodus The United Nations has warned of rising humanitarian needs in Iran following a 12-day conflict with Israel that killed hundreds, left thousands injured and forced many to flee the capital. The airborne fighting, which began on June 13, 2025, also triggered a significant increase in the number of Afghan refugees […]

Business Tech

WhatsApp launches paid subscriptions and ads in app update

Arnold Pinto 01/07/2025

In phased rollout WhatsApp is introducing paid subscriptions, promoted channels, and advertising within its Updates tab, marking a significant expansion of the platform’s business model while keeping private messaging untouched. The new features will appear only in the Updates tab, which houses both Status posts and Channels. The company stated that the changes are

Business Cybersecurity Interviews

Rail cybersecurity faces new threats in the Middle East

Arnold Pinto 01/07/2025

Says industry expert With the Middle East Rail 2025 trade show held in Dubai from June 24 to 25, gathering industry leaders from across the region, the urgency of cybersecurity in transport infrastructure, particularly in the rail sector, is becoming increasingly apparent. Serhii Salii, Head of Sales at Germany-based CyberShield, shared his insights on the […]

Aviation Sustainability Transport

Joby Aviation completes first piloted eVTOL air taxi flights in Dubai

Arnold Pinto 30/06/2025

Ahead of 2026 launch Joby Aviation completed the first piloted test flights of its electric air taxi in Dubai on June 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the development of the UAE’s advanced air mobility ambitions. The Santa Cruz, California-based company aims to launch commercial services in the Gulf emirate by 2026. The tests, […]

Thought leadership

The role of business in powering the UAE’s digital sovereignty

News Desk 30/06/2025

By Ismail Ibrahim, Sales Director & General Manager for CEMEA at SUSE The UAE is moving decisively to establish itself as a global leader in digital resilience. At the heart of that mission lies a complex strategy, built on three core pillars: data, operations and technology. This requires constant evolution, for example ensuring that sensitive […]

Markets Tech

Canada orders China’s Hikvision to cease operations in the country

News Desk 30/06/2025

Citing national security concerns The Canadian government has directed Chinese surveillance camera maker Hikvision to cease all operations in Canada, citing national security concerns, according to Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. Joly, in a post on X late last week, stated that the order followed a “multi-step review” under the Investment Canada Act, which

Business Transport UAE

National Paints wins 10-year naming right for Jebel Ali Metro Station in Dubai

News Desk 30/06/2025

Name changes from July 1, 2025 Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has awarded a 10-year naming right for Jebel Ali Metro Station on the Red Line in Dubai City to National Paints Factories, a UAE-based paints and coatings manufacturer. The metro station, which serves the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) industrial area, is being renamed ‘National Paints […]

Aviation Energy

Airbus selects Engie to lead decarbonisation of its European operations

Arnold Pinto 30/06/2025

Involving 22 sites Airbus has selected the French energy group Engie to lead a large-scale decarbonisation project across its 22 industrial sites in Europe, aiming to reduce energy use and carbon emissions significantly by 2030. The move is part of Airbus’s broader sustainability strategy, with potential implications for aerospace supply chains in the Middle East

Automotive Tech UAE

SteerAI unveils autonomous ATV at 2025 Mobility Live ME

Arnold Pinto 29/06/2025

For myriad use cases SteerAI, the Abu Dhabi-based autonomous mobility technology company, unveiled its groundbreaking autonomous ATV at the Mobility Live ME trade exhibition, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from June 24 to 25, 2025. Designed primarily for defence, law enforcement, and border control, the autonomous ATV features CoreX, SteerAI’s autonomous driving

Business Lifestyle Real Estate

Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island sales commence

Arnold Pinto 29/06/2025

As UAE luxury housing demand spikes Dubai-based Ardee Developments has commenced sales for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island, a large-scale branded residential development located in Ras Al Khaimah emirate in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement was made during a real estate broker event held in Dubai on June 24, 2025. Ardee Developments CEO & […]

Finance GCC Oman

Oman set to levy first-ever personal income tax in the GCC region

Arnold Pinto 28/06/2025

From January 1, 2028 Oman has issued a royal decree to introduce a personal income tax, making it the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nation to impose such a levy. A flat 5 per cent rate will apply to individuals earning more than OMR 42,000 ($109,091 / AED 401,142 / SAR 409,671 / KWD 33,407 / […]

Defence & Security Energy

American airstrike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility was ‘successful’

Arnold Pinto 28/06/2025

According to Pentagon officials A United States airstrike on Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant has reportedly destroyed a key part of the country’s nuclear infrastructure and prompted a ceasefire in the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’, which was carried out by US B-2 Spirit bombers, is being described by American defence […]

Business Travel UAE

These are the top 3 travel insurance providers in the UAE  

News Desk 27/06/2025

10 things to consider beforehand Travel insurance is a growing priority for residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially as international movement increases across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Whether for leisure, business, or religious travel, choosing the right policy requires careful evaluation of coverage, reliability, and service. Union Insurance is

Aviation Defence & Security Tech

Airbus and Quantum Systems expand military drone cooperation

Arnold Pinto 27/06/2025

To boost European defence autonomy Airbus Defence and Space and Germany-based Quantum Systems signed a memorandum of understanding at the 2025 Paris Air Show aimed at strengthening their strategic collaboration on military drone and reconnaissance technologies. The agreement focuses on developing systems to support European defence autonomy in the face of evolving

Business UAE

5 reasons to start a profitable business in Dubai this year

News Desk 26/06/2025

As a launchpad for regional expansion Dubai’s location at the intersection of Asia, Africa and Europe gives it a unique advantage as a business hub. It offers direct air links to major cities in all three regions, positioning it as a central access point for trade and commerce. For companies looking to expand into emerging […]

Business Logistics

DHL hikes its global shipping rates from July 1, 2025

Arnold Pinto 26/06/2025

Amid higher operating costs DHL will introduce a series of changes to its international shipping services for private customers, effective July 1, 2025, including a moderate price increase and adjustments to product offerings. The changes will affect shipments sent outside Germany, including to the Middle East and Africa, where many individuals and small businesses rely