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United Arab Emirates

August 13, 2025

Abu Dhabi 12:56 am

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Players in action during day one of the Girl Gamer Esports Festival at Meydan Racecourse on Feb. 21, 2020, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai Police to host expanded esports event amid UAE gaming push: What to know

The UAE wants to grow its esports sector as part of its economic diversification plans, mirroring a similar endeavor in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

United Arab Emirates

adnoc

Landmark $18.7B Santos-ADNOC takeover delayed: What to know

Santos said in a statement that the due diligence period, initially set for six weeks, has been extended until Aug. 22.

United Arab Emirates

Nour Al Hassan, founder and CEO of Tarjama (C), and members of the Tarjama team promoting Arabic.AI, the firm's new platform offering business solutions, 2025.

How an Arabic translation firm from Jordan became a Gulf AI player

Tarjama, now based in Dubai, recently raised $15 million to accelerate the rollout of an Arabic-language AI platform for businesses in the Middle East.

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP via Getty Images

UAE looks to boost Russia trade to $23B despite Trump tariff threats

The two countries signed a trade agreement focusing on several key sectors, including fintech, health care, logistics, transportation and services.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

UAE’s ADNOC inks 10-year gas deal with India: What to know

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

United Arab Emirates

Despite travel warning, Israel says diplomatic missions in UAE remain open: What to know

The national flags of the United Arab Emirates (L) and Israel are set side by side at the new Israeli consulate of Dubai ahead of a press conference by Israel's foreign minister on June 30, 2021.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Participants arrive to attend the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2024.

UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia finance startups lead Forbes Middle East Fintech50

Some 119 fintech startups across the Middle East and North Africa raised $700 million in 2024, accounting for 30% of the total MENA startup funding for last year.

The Prism

AL-Monitor Dubai: Step into The Prism’s world

United Arab Emirates

Diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates President Anwar Gargash arrives to attend the opening ceremony of the Summit on peace in Ukraine, at the luxury Burgenstock resort, near Lucerne, on June 15, 2024.

UAE's Anwar Gargash visits Iran to deliver Trump's letter: What to know

Anwar Gargash's visit to Iran as an interlocutor would mark the Emirates' foray into mediating between Washington and Tehran, a role Abu Dhabi is uniquely placed to play.

Digital generated image of abstract AI chat icons over digital surface.

AL-Monitor FutureVerse: AI superpowers clash

An exclusive sneak peek of an interview with a top Saudi tech diplomat who is helping shape the future of AI collaboration among emerging economies.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President of COP28, speaks during the opening ceremony of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on Nov. 11, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

UAE’s XRG to make big investment in US energy, ADNOC chief says

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said his new low-carbon energy company wants to become a one-stop shop for gas in the United States.

United Arab Emirates

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, April 15, 2023.

Analysis

A year on, UAE walks BRICS tightrope amid escalating US-Brazil rhetoric

Trump is likely to go head-to-head with BRICS this year. He has declared the group to be "dead" and threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all imports from the member states if they planned to move against the dollar.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A man walks near Masjid Al Hudaiba mosque in Dubai on March 6, 2025, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

AL-Monitor Dubai: Hoda Tawakol’s “My Mothers" exhibit at Gallery Isabelle

This week we guide you through exciting new exhibitions that have opened in Dubai, as well as evening events to celebrate the holy month.

United Arab Emirates

AFP via Getty Images

Sudan brings genocide case against UAE at International Court of Justice

Sudan accuses the United Arab Emirates of complicity in genocide over its alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which has been found to have committed atrocities against the Masalit ethnic group in Sudan's West Darfur state.

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

UAE’s ADNOC, Austria’s OMV merge businesses to create $60B plastics firm

Following the acquisition, the new firm, called Borouge Group International (BGI), will be the world’s fourth-largest polyofin company, said ADNOC and OMV.

United Arab Emirates

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Gulf countries find themselves in a difficult position as they navigate placating Trump, maintaining good relations with Russia, and engaging with Ukraine while also providing mediation and humanitarian aid.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

The United Arab Emirates' assistant sherpa to BRICS, Khamis Al-Shemeili (far right), poses for the family photo at the first BRICS sherpa meeting: (L-R) South Africa's Xolisa Mfundiso Mabhongo, Russia's Sergey Ryabkov, Indonesia's Tri Tharyat, Ethiopia's Mamo Esmelealem Mihretu, China's Tian Bai, Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Mauricio Lyrio, Egypt's Ragui Eletreby, India's Periasamy Kumaran, Iran's Majid Samadzadeh Saber, and Saudi Arabia's Ibrahim Alessa, in Brasilia, Feb. 25, 2025.

UAE attends BRICS sherpa meeting as Brazil plans next summit: What to know

The BRICS nations collectively account for nearly 50% of the world’s population and roughly 30% of global gross domestic product

United Arab Emirates

A teamLab immersive artwork.

AL-Monitor Dubai: Art meets science at teamLab Phenomena

This week we transport you to an immersive realm where art, technology and science meet with the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi — the second Middle Eastern outpost for the Japanese art collective.

United Arab Emirates