MOVE AMID LOW OIL PRICES

Kuwait mulls $7bn pipeline stake sale, says report

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is set to ​launch an oil pipeline network stake sale as soon as February in a deal that could raise up to $7 billion, said a report. The shift comes as oil prices, down more than 25% in two years, sit below levels needed to fund the Gulf’s diversification plans.

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HOSTILE ACTIONS CITED

Al Habtoor Group to close all operations in Lebanon

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

The UAE-headquartered Al Habtoor Group, one of the region’s largest conglomerates in the region, has taken the decision to proceed with the closure of its operations in Lebanon in light of the prevailing conditions in the country, and following a comprehensive internal review.

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INSIGHT

GCC Corporates Sector outlook 'neutral' due to strong fundamentals: Fitch

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Fitch Ratings has assigned 'neutral' 2026 sector outlook for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Corporates sector, reflecting steady earnings due to ongoing government-led capex in infrastructure and energy.

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US AIRCARFT CARRIER IN REGION

Saudi Arabia says won't allow airspace to be used in action against Iran

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Iran, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call on Tuesday, state news agency SPA reported.

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OPINION

AI moves from promise to proof as organisations face a defining year: Expert

Sat, 24 Jan 2026

After years of bold ambition and heavy investment, artificial intelligence adoption in both Saudi Arabia and UAE is entering a more performance-driven phase amid reports that AI could contribute $135 billion to the kingdom’s economy and $96 billion to the emirates' economy by 2030, said an expert.

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Top This Week

Bahrain balances sustainability with economic growth: Minister

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Bahrain continues to adopt a balanced approach that integrates environmental sustainability with economic development, said Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs.

WhatsApp, Insta, Facebook likely to start paid subscription

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Meta Platforms will begin testing paid subscription plans across WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook in the coming months, as the social media company looks to monetize advanced features and artificial intelligence tools, says an Impact Newswire report.

Ciel Dubai Marina debuts as 'world’s tallest hotel'

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

UAE-based First Group Real Estate has announced the landmark opening of the world’s tallest hotel - Ciel Dubai Marina - standing at 377m high. The skyscraper brings 82 floors of architectural design, immersive dining and panoramic views to one of Dubai’s most celebrated districts.

Saudi Arabia Railways seeks bids for 10 new passenger trains

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced that it has issued tenders for the design and manufacturing of 10 new passenger trains for its Northern Network. The project scope includes supply of the trains in addition to providing fleet maintenance services and long-term asset sustainability.

Gulf Air to roll out Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide from mid-2026

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, announced the roll out of Starlink high-speed internet across its entire fleet starting mid-2026, offering complimentary Wi-Fi to passengers onboard its aircraft, from boarding through to arrival.

Saudi Arabia suspends work on Mukaab megaproject, says report

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Saudi Arabia has suspended planned construction of a colossal cube-shaped skyscraper named Mukaab at the centre of a downtown development in Riyadh while it reassesses the project's financing and feasibility, Reuters said quoting four people familiar with the matter.

EU, India seal major deal to slash tariffs, boost trade

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

India and the European Union have concluded a long-delayed free trade agreement that will eliminate or sharply reduce tariffs on the vast majority of goods traded between the two sides, a move aimed at boosting bilateral commerce amid rising global trade tensions.

Sustainability Forum Middle East opens in Bahrain with climate action agenda

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Sustainability Forum Middle East kicked off its fourth edition today in Bahrain drawing more than 500 senior government and business leaders as well as global sustainability experts who will address the issue of accelerating climate action and focus on a low carbon future during the two-day event.

AVENEW Development to bring Waldorf Astoria, Residences to Dubai Islands

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

AVENEW Development, a Dubai-born real estate innovator, has signed an agreement with Hilton to open Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands, introducing the iconic luxury brand to one of the city’s most anticipated coastal destinations.

Sustainability Forum Middle East ends on successful note

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) concluded its fourth edition on a successful note in Bahrain following two days of high-level dialogue on energy transition, sustainable finance, and long-term competitiveness and climate transformation featuring more than 650 regional and global leaders.

Kuwait mulls $7bn pipeline stake sale, says report

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is set to ​launch an oil pipeline network stake sale as soon as February in a deal that could raise up to $7 billion, said a report. The shift comes as oil prices, down more than 25% in two years, sit below levels needed to fund the Gulf’s diversification plans.

Travellers now explore driven by passion, not just destinations: report

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Travellers are entering a passion-driven era of exploration. Priority Pass’s report, From Stadiums to Spas, surveys over 12,000 travellers across 20 markets, revealing sports and wellness as key travel motivators: 47% for wellness, 20% for sports, and 33% for both, shaping personalised journeys worldwide.

Saudi Arabia issues 201 new mining licences in December

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Saudi Arabia has announced that its Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources had issued a total of 201 new mining licences in December last year. These included 159 for exploration, 20 for small-scale mining and 18 for the building materials quarries, said a report.

GCC Corporates Sector outlook 'neutral' due to strong fundamentals: Fitch

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Fitch Ratings has assigned 'neutral' 2026 sector outlook for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Corporates sector, reflecting steady earnings due to ongoing government-led capex in infrastructure and energy.

Ciel Dubai Marina debuts as 'world’s tallest hotel'

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

UAE-based First Group Real Estate has announced the landmark opening of the world’s tallest hotel - Ciel Dubai Marina - standing at 377m high. The skyscraper brings 82 floors of architectural design, immersive dining and panoramic views to one of Dubai’s most celebrated districts.

Sustainability Forum Middle East opens in Bahrain with climate action agenda

Tue, 27 Jan 2026

Sustainability Forum Middle East kicked off its fourth edition today in Bahrain drawing more than 500 senior government and business leaders as well as global sustainability experts who will address the issue of accelerating climate action and focus on a low carbon future during the two-day event.

Lockheed Martin launches new software factory in Riyadh

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Lockheed Martin has opened a major software factory in Riyadh to introduce the global defence major’s hitech software development ecosystem to the kingdom. Also it is setting up an in-country Talent Studio to boost digital and enterprise capabilities within the Saudi workforce.

IKEA Saudi Arabia and Bahrain signs deal with HITEK AI to deploy HSSE digital platform

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Middle East-based HITEK AI, a part of the Farnek group of companies, has signed a three-year SAFETEK Services Agreement with Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Furniture Trading Co (IKEA Saudi Arabia and Bahrain), marking a major step in IKEA’s commitment to elevating Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) governance.

Emirates NBD Capital secures merchant banking licence in India

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Emirates NBD Capital, the investment banking arm of Emirates NBD, has received regulatory approval for a Category I Merchant Banking licence from SEBI, India’s market regulator, becoming the first Middle Eastern investment bank to secure Category I licensure.

AD Ports Group seals partnership deal with US group BigBear.ai

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

AD Ports Group has announced that its digital arm, Maqta Technologies, has signed a partnership deal with US-based BigBear.ai, a leading provider of mission-ready AI for national security, to explore and develop next generation AI-powered digital trade, customs and logistics solutions.

Gatik launches fully driverless trucks on US roads

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Gatik has become the first company in North America to deploy fully driverless trucks in commercial operations, thus marks a new era for autonomous trucking, moving the technology beyond limited pilots to sustained, revenue-generating operations that are boosting the regional supply chains.

Merit acquires Australia's Synchro Marketing; targets automotive, Oil & Gas sectors

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Merit, a global engagement and incentives technology company headquartered in Riyadh, has announced the acquisition of Synchro Marketing, an Australian market leader in sales incentive programmes for the automotive and oil & gas sectors.

Saudi Arabia mulls expansion of premium residency scheme: Reuters

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

Saudi Arabia is drafting plans to expand its premium residency programme to a wider group of high-value individuals, including superyacht owners, buyers of homes in flagship Vision 2030 developments and top-performing students, Reuters said quoting a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

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