Author: Dr Issac PJ

Strategic adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and bold action on climate resilience could boost the Middle East’s gross domestic product by as much as $232 billion by 2035, according to new research by PwC.The report identifies the UAE as a key driver of this transformative growth, thanks to its early investments in AI infrastructure, strong climate commitments, and leadership in renewable energy.Recommended For You Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune 3’ gets an official titleDebunking top 3 UAE Golden Visa rumours; what you need to knowRyder Cup countdown: Quiet confidence or calm before the storm for Team Europe?GFS Developments breaks ground on Coventry…

Global oil prices are poised to fall below $60 per barrel by year-end as Opec+ accelerates its unwinding of production cuts, catching markets off guard with an aggressive push to reclaim market share.In a surprise move over the weekend, the group announced a larger-than-expected hike of 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) for August, the fourth consecutive monthly increase in output, and signaled another 550,000 bpd rise in September. These supply additions will effectively complete the rollback of the 2.2 million bpd cuts initiated in 2023.Recommended For You Djokovic stays on track for Wimbledon glory under Federer gazeUAE extends housing loan…

The global sukuk market is poised to maintain its resilience in 2025, with foreign currency-denominated issuance expected to range between $70 billion and $80 billion, according to the latest forecast by S&P Global Ratings.Despite mounting geopolitical tensions, the agency believes that issuance activity will be shaped more by monetary policy shifts, domestic liquidity dynamics, and ongoing investments across key Islamic finance hubs, rather than political uncertainties.Recommended For You ‘Will it make me less of a man?’: Vasectomy in UAE remains a stigma, say doctorsAfter the revolution, Bangladesh warms to China as India fumesUp on Dakota Johnson’s list: Directing her first…

Dubai’s Expo City is rapidly gaining investors’ appeal as a premier destination in the UAE, attracting significant interest from global buyers — particularly high-net-worth individuals from Germany and Switzerland. A combination of visionary planning, robust infrastructure, and compelling returns has turned this government-backed smart city into a magnet for real estate investment, setting the stage for a long-term boom. In a sign of growing confidence, six full buildings, multiple floors, and dozens of individual units were sold in just two months, led by Provident Estate. Recommended For You Property Network concludes Dh125 million sale of prime Arada unitKenyans Chebet, Kipyegon light up…

Bitcoin slid on Tuesday, reflecting renewed investor caution after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on 14 countries, dampening global risk sentiment.The world’s most valuable cryptocurrency, which briefly touched $110,000 last week on upbeat US jobs data, pulled back to hover around $108,000 amid geopolitical and policy uncertainty. Market participants expect choppy trading in the short term, but analysts remain largely optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory.Recommended For You Visa’s 24/7 war room takes on global cybercriminalsUAE expresses solidarity with US over Texas flash floodsWhat’s On This Week: A blockbuster clash as golf’s biggest tours collide in ScotlandScott Vincent seals…

The UAE’s banking sector is powering ahead with added momentum, recording the highest quarter-on-quarter increase in market capitalisation among lenders across the Middle East and Africa in the second quarter of 2025, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Riding a wave of economic resilience, regulatory support, and strategic innovation, the sector is emerging as a beacon of strength and stability in an otherwise mixed regional banking landscape. Leading this remarkable performance is Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), which posted a 34 per cent surge in market value to reach $21.26 billion by the end of June. This leap pushed ADIB…

Abu Dhabi’s residential real estate sector is gathering strong momentum in 2025 propelled by robust demand, record-high sales prices, and a visible shift toward ready homes and spacious family residences. Despite a scheduled delivery of 11,900 new homes by year-end, experts warn that surging population growth, rising investor confidence, and a scarcity of new off-plan projects could cause demand to outstrip supply across several key neighbourhoods, market watchers say. Cavendish Maxwell’s latest market report shows that the UAE capital added 600 residential properties in the first quarter, setting the stage for 12,500 new homes to be completed by year-end, with…

Dubai, a global tourism powerhouse known for its futuristic skyline and grand resorts, is entering a new phase in hospitality — one that could be defined not by scale, but by intimacy. As the city continues to expand its hotel inventory, industry experts are calling for a greater emphasis on boutique hotels to complement its luxury infrastructure and meet shifting traveller preferences for more personal, experience-driven stays. While Dubai currently boasts over 154,000 hotel rooms, with an additional 3,000 set to be added by the end of 2025, the majority of development continues to focus on large-scale luxury properties and…

India has emerged as one of the most economically equal societies in the world, ranking fourth globally in income equality, according to the World Bank’s latest data. The country’s Gini Index now stands at 25.5 — a significant improvement from 28.8 in 2011 — placing it ahead of all G7 and G20 nations, including the United States (41.8), China (35.7), Germany (31.4), and the United Kingdom (34.4). The Gini Index is a widely used metric to gauge income inequality on a scale from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (extreme inequality). Only the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus now rank ahead…

Dubai is fast emerging as a magnet for global cryptocurrency players as regulatory tightening in Singapore prompts a new wave of digital asset firms to relocate to more business-friendly jurisdictions. A growing number of exchanges, including Bitget and Bybit, are actively exploring Dubai and Hong Kong as alternative hubs after Singapore introduced sweeping new restrictions on overseas crypto activity. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced last month that all crypto service providers incorporated in the city-state and serving international clients must obtain a Digital-Token Service Provider licence by June 30, 2025. Those who fail to comply could face fines…