Author: Arabian Media staff

Image: e& Global technology group e& has launched a free smart keyboard aimed at encouraging greater use of the Arabic language in everyday digital communication. The keyboard mirrors the layout used by “Arabizi”, an informal system that uses English letters and numbers to represent Arabic sounds, placing Arabic letters in positions familiar to users accustomed to typing in English. e& said the design lowers barriers to writing in Arabic by retraining muscle memory without requiring users to change how they type. Arabizi emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s alongside the rise of mobile phones and online chat platforms,…

Image credit: Getty Images Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate fell moderately to 1.9 per cent in November from 2.2 per cent October, according to government data on Monday. Inflation based on the consumer price index has hovered around 2.1 per cent to 2.3 per cent for most of the year, propped up by rising housing prices. Housing rental prices rose 5.4 per cent, while passenger transport prices increased 6.4 per cent, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics. Read more-Saudi Arabia moves to fast-track eVTOL air taxis with new Archer agreement To tackle the rise in rents, Saudi Arabia’s…

Dubai South HQ/Image: Supplied Global property and advisory firm BlackBrick has released new analysis indicating a major shift in how Dubai residents and businesses are deciding where to locate their offices. While the emirate is investing heavily in one of the largest mobility upgrades in the region’s history — including 226km of new roads, 115 bridges, multi-level interchanges, intelligent traffic systems, and corridor expansions — the most significant reductions in commute times are being driven by a different trend: the rise of neighbourhood business hubs inside residential communities. According to BlackBrick, demand is accelerating for commercial spaces in secondary business…

Image credit: WAM/Website The UAE is officially launching its winter tourism season with renewed energy, highlighting the country’s rising prominence as a global destination during the cooler months. With mild winter temperatures and a broad spectrum of experiences across the emirates, the nation is attracting both domestic and international visitors seeking leisure, adventure, and cultural immersion. This year, tourism authorities are anticipating notable growth, underpinned by increasing demand for outdoor activities, heritage festivals, entertainment shows, and winter camps. These activities have become foundational pillars of UAE’s winter tourism, strengthening the country’s position as a leading hub for seasonal tourism in…

Image credit: Getty Images Gold rises on softer dollar, yields as markets eye US jobs data; silver steadies Gold extended gains on Monday, supported by a weaker dollar and softer US Treasury yields, as investors looked ahead to key US jobs data for clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy path, while silver steadied after a record-breaking run last week. Spot gold rose 0.4 per cent to $4,320.65 an ounce by 0319 GMT. Bullion has climbed about 64 per cent so far this year. Read more-Gold emerges as top global asset of 2025 as prices surge nearly 60% US gold futures…

Image: Supplied Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)  has crossed the milestone of 100 registered hedge fund managers, cementing its position as one of the world’s top five hubs for the industry, the centre said in a statement. The total number of hedge fund managers at DIFC has more than doubled from 50 at the start of 2024, with 81 of them managing assets of $1bn or more. Recent entrants include Oak Hill Advisors, which manages $108 billion in assets, alongside AIP and Varenne, pushing the centre beyond the 100-manager mark. They join established global firms already operating from DIFC, including…

Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded the contract for the development of the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street intersection with Al Awir Road and Al Manama Street, marking a significant step in the emirate’s long-term road infrastructure expansion strategy. The project, according to a WAM report, includes the construction of 2,300 metres of bridges, the expansion of traffic lanes, and the paving of service roads along Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Al Awir Road in both directions. It will also feature the provision of new entrances and exits…

Image: Dubai Media Office Dubai’s Maritime Authority said it will implement a mandatory marine traffic management plan during the 2026 New Year’s Eve celebrations to ensure safety and orderly movement across the emirate’s waterways. The plan will be enforced during peak hours from 10 pm on December 31 to 2 am on January 1, 2026, the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said in a statement. Sheikh Dr Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, executive director of the DMA, said the authority is committed to implementing an integrated marine traffic management plan during periods…

Image credit: Getty Images The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast partially cloudy to occasionally cloudy weather across the UAE, with a chance of rainfall over some coastal and northern areas as unsettled conditions continue to impact the country. Winds are expected to remain light to moderate, becoming active at times, according to official forecasts. In a statement, the NCM said winds will blow from southeasterly to northeasterly directions at speeds ranging between 10 and 25 km/hr, with gusts reaching up to 40km/hr at times. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are expected to be slight to moderate, becoming…

Image: IHC Abu Dhabi-based IHC said on Friday it has increased its stake in Invictus Investment Company to about 40 per cent after acquiring an additional 17.5 per cent holding in a transaction valued at roughly Dhs420m. The investment was made through the purchase of 196 million shares in a major block trade, lifting IHC’s total shareholding in Invictus to approximately 40 per cent, the company said. Invictus Investment Company operates across global trade corridors covering food commodities, industrial inputs, logistics and supply chain solutions. The company reported strong growth across its international operations, delivering its highest financial performance to…