Author: Gulf News Week
AlUla to host FEI World Championship as racing leaders highlight role of horses in driving tourism, jobs, and economic diversification Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 giga-projects are increasingly placing equestrianism at the core of their development strategies, with horses emerging as a key driver of economic diversification, tourism, and community building, leaders revealed at the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Riyadh. Speaking during a panel session hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, executives from Qiddiya and AlUla outlined ambitious plans that place horseracing and equestrian sports alongside the Kingdom’s high-profile investments in golf, tennis, and football. The session…
Industry executive says shift from ‘tax tool’ to ‘protection tool’ mindset, plus regulatory trust, driving demand among expats A combination of a depreciating rupee, enhanced product access via Gift City, and growing confidence in India’s insurance regulator is prompting a rising number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the UAE to purchase life insurance policies back home, according to a top industry executive. Jude Gomes, Managing Director and CEO of Ageas Federal Life Insurance, said the trend reflects a fundamental shift in how Indians abroad view life cover—from a tax-saving instrument to a core financial protection tool. “Earlier, life insurance was…
Vessels told to avoid Iranian waters, deny boarding permission verbally—but not resist if boarded—as nuclear talks continue under shadow of Trump tariff threat. The United States has issued updated and direct guidance to American commercial ships transiting the critical Strait of Hormuz, advising them to maximize their distance from Iranian territorial waters amid simmering bilateral tensions. The advisory, published Monday by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), calls on U.S.-flagged vessels to “remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial sea without compromising navigational safety” while navigating the narrow chokepoint, through which a substantial portion of the world’s…
Nuclear chief proposes diluting highly enriched stockpile as rare diplomatic signal follows Oman talks TEHRAN — Iran has conditionally offered to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a significant potential concession in its nuclear program, in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions. The proposal, announced on Monday by Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), signals a possible opening for renewed diplomacy after months of heightened tensions. Eslami did not detail whether the offer required a full removal of US sanctions or a partial easing. “We are prepared to dilute our enriched uranium if the…
Lawyers for Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 in New Zealand’s 2019 mosque attacks, say he was determined to admit guilt—contradicting his current claim of being mentally unfit to plead. WELLINGTON — Brenton Tarrant, the Australian white supremacist who murdered 51 worshippers in New Zealand’s 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, was “pleased” to be charged with terrorism and insisted on pleading guilty to that charge, his former lawyers told an appeals court on Tuesday. The testimony directly contradicted Tarrant’s current claim that he was mentally unfit when he admitted to the crimes, which he now seeks to withdraw. Tarrant, 35, was sentenced to…
The former India World Cup-winning coach targets a major upset at the 2026 T20 World Cup, applying lessons from Mumbai’s tough cricketing culture to inspire the UAE’s associate-level squad. Nearly two decades after masterminding India’s historic title run in the inaugural T20 World Cup, Lalchand Rajput is back on cricket’s biggest stage — but this time, his role could not be more different. Now head coach of the United Arab Emirates national team, Rajput faces a challenge far removed from the resources and spotlight of a cricketing superpower. As the UAE prepares for only its third T20 World Cup appearance…
The 2024 runners-up signal their intent with a powerful 57-run victory in Sharjah, setting the highest total of the tournament so far. South Africa launched their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 57-run victory over Canada at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, immediately stamping their authority as title contenders. Sent in to bat after Canada won the toss, the Proteas posted a formidable 213-4, the highest total of the tournament to date, powered by a devastating late assault. The innings was anchored by captain Aiden Markram’s fluent 59 from 28 balls and turbocharged by a ruthless, unbroken…
Aviation Authority says flights remain unaffected during notice period after Algeria initiates termination of 2013 bilateral pact. The United Arab Emirates’ aviation regulator announced on Sunday that flights to and from Algeria will continue operating normally despite Algiers’ decision to cancel the countries’ air transport agreement. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) stated that Algeria’s notification to terminate the 2013 air services pact “will not have any immediate impact on flight operations,” according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM. This response came a day after Algeria declared it had initiated the process of ending the bilateral agreement originally signed…
S&P Global report credits fiscal reforms and economic diversification for strengthening Gulf sovereign ratings amid persistent geopolitical headwinds. A new S&P Global report projects sustained economic growth across the Middle East in 2026, with the United Arab Emirates leading regional expansion through robust non-oil sector performance. The UAE’s real GDP is forecast to grow by 4.7% next year, with approximately 75% of this growth originating from non-hydrocarbon sectors. This momentum stems from Dubai’s dynamic private sector, Abu Dhabi’s substantial infrastructure investments, and expanding tourism projects across the northern emirates. “The UAE’s consolidated fiscal position is expected to maintain a surplus…
Sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure project with local partners FPT and Viet Thai Group aims to establish Vietnam as a Southeast Asian tech leader. Abu Dhabi-based technology conglomerate G42 will lead a $1 billion investment to build Vietnam’s sovereign artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities, in a landmark deal set to accelerate the country’s transformation into a regional tech hub. The partnership, formed with Vietnamese giants FPT Corporation and Viet Thai Group, will deploy advanced AI infrastructure across three data center locations in Vietnam. The initiative is designed to provide high-performance computing services for government and private sector use while…