News

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Reports from local authorities confirm at least 600 people have been killed, with many homes and villages destroyed in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Rescue operations are under way, but mountainous terrain and poor infrastructure are hampering access. Aftershocks have been felt as far as Islamabad, prompting fears of further damage.

Islamabad has approved a deal allowing the UAE to manage operations at Islamabad International Airport. The agreement covers services, maintenance, and planned upgrades, reflecting the UAE’s growing footprint in global aviation management.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met over the weekend and declared that the two nations are “partners, not rivals.” It comes after years of strained relations over border clashes and trade disputes. Here's what the Chinese Premier said to President Modi when the two met yesterday

The Indian rupee is expected to weaken further following the latest round of U.S. tariffs and signs of capital outflows. Investors are now looking for fiscal clarity in the government’s budget roadmap. The rupee continues to slip against the dollar, highlighting the pressure facing South Asia’s largest economy.

UAE’s Fuel Price Committee has confirmed the prices for September. Super 98 petrol will be 3 dirhams 12 per litre, Super 95 at 3 dirhams 03, and E-Plus 91 at 2 dirhams 81. The announcement comes as a new report highlights the UAE’s leadership in solar energy growth. This year the Emirates has seen the fastest expansion of solar capacity worldwide, underscoring its push to diversify the energy mix.

Bahrain’s Mumtalakat sovereign fund and Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings have confirmed their takeover of McLaren Racing, valuing the team at over 4 billion U.S. dollars. Mum-talakat now holds the majority stake, while CYVN takes a non-controlling position. The move simplifies McLaren’s shareholder structure and secures long-term backing for the team’s Formula One and motorsport ambitions.

Here in the UAE, one of the country’s best-loved café and dining groups is expanding. Tashas Group has announced a joint venture with Arada worth AED 100 million, or around 27 million U.S. dollars, to open ten new suburban restaurants across the Emirates. The first will launch in Aljada, Sharjah, with more to follow in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The expansion reflects rising demand for premium dining closer to where people live, outside of traditional city hubs.

U.S. President Donald Trump has addressed speculation about his health following several days without public events. Answering questions in the Oval Office, Trump dismissed the rumours and insisted he remains fit to continue his political activities

In the United States, Salesforce has announced it will cut 4,000 jobs. Chief Executive Marc Benioff confirmed the layoffs, citing the need to reduce headcount as artificial intelligence reduces demand for human support roles. The cuts represent one of the company’s largest workforce adjustments in recent years.

Dubai has issued new consumer protection guidelines for online food delivery. Under the rules, apps and restaurants must clearly display service charges and delivery fees, with hidden costs no longer allowed. Officials say the move is aimed at ensuring transparency and protecting consumers.

Gold has reached a record high above 3,500 dollars an ounce, while silver has also advanced to its strongest level in more than a decade. Analysts attribute the rise to a weaker U.S. dollar and expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut this month. Silver also seeing new highs.

In technology, a U.S. judge has ruled that Google may keep its Chrome browser but cannot maintain exclusive search agreements with device makers and carriers. The decision requires Google to open access to competitors, marking a significant step in the ongoing antitrust case.

In Saudi Arabia, delivery start-up Ninja, valued at more than one billion dollars, is preparing for a potential initial public offering. The company has begun talks with advisors to explore the listing, which could become one of the kingdom’s largest tech flotations.

The UAE has been ranked the 7th best country in the world for expatriates to live and work, according to the InterNations Expat Insider 2025 survey. The country scored second in quality of life, first in essentials like housing and government services, and fifth in working abroad indicators. The ranking marks a rise from 10th place last year.

Across 38 deals, funds will support clean energy, financial services, and professional sectors, and create 187 jobs shared between both nations. UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Saudi Commerce Minister Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi described the pact as a major step in economic collaboration aligned with Vision 2030 and the UK’s industrial strategy. Bilateral trade in 2024 topped £16 billion with a 2030 target of £30 billion.

The Abu Dhabi airline reported earnings of 1.1 billion dirhams — that’s just under 300 million dollars — for the first six months of this year. Etihad says strong passenger demand and cost savings drove the result. The carrier has also confirmed it is not planning an IPO in the near future, choosing instead to reinvest profits to expand its global network.

The 500 million dollar listing boosts the emirate’s role as a centre for Islamic finance. Nasdaq Dubai now hosts nearly 90 billion dollars’ worth of sukuk, one of the largest totals in the world.

Half-year results show earnings up 23 percent year-on-year. The group says growth came from sales at cinemas, stronger revenues in shopping malls, and rising demand across its property portfolio. Even as Carrefour retail sales edged lower.