United Arab Emirates

UAE Gold Imports from Sudan Rose by 70% in 2024 Despite War

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased its gold imports from war-stricken Sudan by 70 percent in 2024, a Swiss NGO said on Tuesday, calling the UAE "a global hub for gold of dubious origin." The wealthy oil-producing country imported 29 tonnes of gold from Sudan last year, up from 17 tonnes in 2023, as well as significant quantities ...

Sudan Army-Backed Council to Meet on US Truce Proposal

Sudan's army-backed authorities will meet on Tuesday to discuss a US proposal for a ceasefire in the war with the paramilitary, a government source told AFP, as the UN chief called for an end to the "nightmare of violence". The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more over the past two years, has ...

Microsoft Unveils $15.2 Billion AI Investments in UAE

US tech giant Microsoft on Monday announced $15.2 billion in investments in artificial intelligence and cloud computing in the United Arab Emirates. Microsoft's vice chairman and president Brad Smith said Microsoft had invested $7.3 billion in the Gulf country since 2023 and would spend $7.9 billion more by the end of 2029. The deal sent US ...

Gems over Gloom: Lebanon Still Shines ...

Despite its deep economic and political turmoil, Lebanon continues to perform strongly in foreign trade. As of August 2025, the country’s exports remain focused on a few key sectors and select international markets, yet their value tells a story of resilience and expertise. Leading the way are pearls, precious stones and precious metals, which ...

Lebanon Still Charms, but Tourism Numbers Fall

In the 2010s, Lebanon ranked among the world’s top tourist destinations, celebrated for its festivals, crowded beaches, boutique hotels and award-winning cuisine. Tourism then accounted for nearly a fifth of GDP and was at the very heart of the economy. Today, that postcard-perfect image has faded. Two years after a brief recovery, the sector ...

U20 Athletics: Abou Zeid Heads to the Worlds, Moawad on Top, and Gold for the 4x100m

Day 3 of the 3rd edition of the West Asia U20 Athletics Championships took place at the Camille Chamoun Sports City and the Jamhour Sports Club, and Lebanon continues to pile up highlights. Mahmoud Abou Zeid qualified for the U20 World Championships in the 3,000m steeplechase with a national record, Nisrine Moawad claimed her third title, and the ...

Abu Dhabi 2025: Riyadi Overturns Champville and Heads to the Final

At the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship, the Lebanese derby lived up to expectations in the semifinal: Riyadi dominated Champville 97–83 after a one-sided finish. Earlier in the tournament, Riyadi had cruised through the group stage against Al Dhafra (114–81) and TNT (94–53), while Champville impressed with a blowout against ...

Athletics U20: Lebanon Goes into Big Meeting Mode

Flags draped across the stands, lively crowds and meticulous protocol: the opening looked like a major athletics meeting. On the track, the delegations from Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon marched in step, carried by applause and music that set the tone: competition, but also a celebration ...

New UAE Ambassador Arrives in Beirut

The United Arab Emirates ambassador, Salem Fahd al-Kaabi, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday evening. He was greeted upon arrival by Consul Rodrigue Khoury, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His presence in Beirut marks the restoration of relations between Lebanon and the UAE, announced by Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan ...

Basket-Abu Dhabi: Riyadi and Champville Launch Their International Season

Under the aegis of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with the supervision of the Emirati Federation and the organization of al-Wahda in partnership with Global Active Sports, the second edition of the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship sets up in the indoor hall of the al-Jazira club. Eight clubs make up a cosmopolitan field. The games ...

UAE Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Netanyahu on West Bank Annexation

A meeting reportedly took place between the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Sheikh Abdullah conveyed “the UAE’s decisive position closing the file on Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands,” wrote Anwar Gargash, diplomatic ...