GULF BUSINESS THAT MATTERS.
One letter, once a week. The markets, the money, and the stories shaping the week ahead. Chosen by our editors.
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- OUR MOVE
Every week the ICN.live newsroom reads hundreds of stories from the region and beyond, then keeps only the ones that earn your time. This is that shortlist. Nine stories, one talk show, and the partners who make it possible.
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- TOP STORIES
NINE STORIES · CHOSEN BY THE NEWSROOM
- UAE
How the CBUAE base rate increase affects UAE mortgages, loans and savings
The CBUAE base rate increase takes the UAE base rate to 3.9%, a quarter-point step up from 3.65% that landed on Thursday, September 17. It applies to the Overnight Deposit Facility, the tool the Central Bank uses to set a floor for short-term money in the country. The Central Bank also kept the cost of […]
- ADCB
Ellington Properties and ADCB Roll Out Pre-Approved Home Financing in Dubai
Pre-approved home financing in Dubai picked up a new route this month for anyone eyeing an Ellington Properties home. The boutique developer has partnered with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to offer financing that follows a buyer from reservation through handover, whether the unit is still under construction or ready to move into today. Instead of […]
- Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Inflation Rate Holds Steady as Housing Costs Ease
Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 1.8 percent in August, according to the General Authority for Statistics, known as GASTAT. It is the fourth consecutive month the figure has held there, matching the pace recorded in May, June and July. Consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent from July, pointing to a month of […]
- Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Khaled chairs Abu Dhabi Council’s first meeting powered by agentic AI
Sheikh Khaled chairs Abu Dhabi Council, and its latest meeting placed an agentic AI platform inside government decision-making for the first time. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, chaired the session. The Abu Dhabi Executive Council reviewed public projects meant to lift government performance and community […]
- iPhone
Apple’s iPhone Duo brings its first foldable phone with an October launch
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, and it opens like a small book into a 7.6-inch screen. Closed, you hold a 5.4-inch outer display that fits in a pocket. Both screens share the same aspect ratio, so a video or app scales cleanly as you move between them. Stand it up on a […]
- Tourism
UAE passport ranks first globally in 2026 with record mobility score of 182
Passport Reports says the UAE passport ranks first globally in 2026, recording a Mobility Score of 182 and worldwide access of 91.9 percent. Holders can reach that many destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival, other simplified entry arrangements, or an eTA. This particular measure places the document among those commonly called the world’s most […]
- Etihad Airways
Etihad launches Etihad Escapes to extend travel experience beyond flights
Etihad Airways has unveiled Etihad Escapes, a new travel platform designed to extend the Etihad experience beyond the flight and make it easier for guests to plan and book more of their journey in one place. Announced at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, Etihad Escapes will launch in October, initially allowing guests with […]
- META
What Meta One in the UAE means for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook users
Meta One in the UAE is now live, and it turns your everyday apps into a paid menu of upgrades. Behind it is Meta, owner of WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, offering upgrades to individuals, creators and businesses. The core apps stay free. You pay only if you want more. Prices run from Dh5.99 to Dh1,199 […]
- UAE
How the CBUAE base rate increase affects UAE mortgages, loans and savings
The CBUAE base rate increase takes the UAE base rate to 3.9%, a quarter-point step up from 3.65% that landed on Thursday, September 17. It applies to the Overnight Deposit Facility, the tool the Central Bank uses to set a floor for short-term money in the country. The Central Bank also kept the cost of […]
- ADCB
Ellington Properties and ADCB Roll Out Pre-Approved Home Financing in Dubai
Pre-approved home financing in Dubai picked up a new route this month for anyone eyeing an Ellington Properties home. The boutique developer has partnered with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to offer financing that follows a buyer from reservation through handover, whether the unit is still under construction or ready to move into today. Instead of […]
- Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Inflation Rate Holds Steady as Housing Costs Ease
Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 1.8 percent in August, according to the General Authority for Statistics, known as GASTAT. It is the fourth consecutive month the figure has held there, matching the pace recorded in May, June and July. Consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent from July, pointing to a month of […]
- Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Khaled chairs Abu Dhabi Council’s first meeting powered by agentic AI
Sheikh Khaled chairs Abu Dhabi Council, and its latest meeting placed an agentic AI platform inside government decision-making for the first time. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, chaired the session. The Abu Dhabi Executive Council reviewed public projects meant to lift government performance and community […]
- iPhone
Apple’s iPhone Duo brings its first foldable phone with an October launch
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, and it opens like a small book into a 7.6-inch screen. Closed, you hold a 5.4-inch outer display that fits in a pocket. Both screens share the same aspect ratio, so a video or app scales cleanly as you move between them. Stand it up on a […]
- Tourism
UAE passport ranks first globally in 2026 with record mobility score of 182
Passport Reports says the UAE passport ranks first globally in 2026, recording a Mobility Score of 182 and worldwide access of 91.9 percent. Holders can reach that many destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival, other simplified entry arrangements, or an eTA. This particular measure places the document among those commonly called the world’s most […]
- Etihad Airways
Etihad launches Etihad Escapes to extend travel experience beyond flights
Etihad Airways has unveiled Etihad Escapes, a new travel platform designed to extend the Etihad experience beyond the flight and make it easier for guests to plan and book more of their journey in one place. Announced at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, Etihad Escapes will launch in October, initially allowing guests with […]
- META
What Meta One in the UAE means for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook users
Meta One in the UAE is now live, and it turns your everyday apps into a paid menu of upgrades. Behind it is Meta, owner of WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, offering upgrades to individuals, creators and businesses. The core apps stay free. You pay only if you want more. Prices run from Dh5.99 to Dh1,199 […]
- UAE
How the CBUAE base rate increase affects UAE mortgages, loans and savings
The CBUAE base rate increase takes the UAE base rate to 3.9%, a quarter-point step up from 3.65% that landed on Thursday, September 17. It applies to the Overnight Deposit Facility, the tool the Central Bank uses to set a floor for short-term money in the country. The Central Bank also kept the cost of […]
- ADCB
Ellington Properties and ADCB Roll Out Pre-Approved Home Financing in Dubai
Pre-approved home financing in Dubai picked up a new route this month for anyone eyeing an Ellington Properties home. The boutique developer has partnered with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to offer financing that follows a buyer from reservation through handover, whether the unit is still under construction or ready to move into today. Instead of […]
- Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Inflation Rate Holds Steady as Housing Costs Ease
Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 1.8 percent in August, according to the General Authority for Statistics, known as GASTAT. It is the fourth consecutive month the figure has held there, matching the pace recorded in May, June and July. Consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent from July, pointing to a month of […]
- Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Khaled chairs Abu Dhabi Council’s first meeting powered by agentic AI
Sheikh Khaled chairs Abu Dhabi Council, and its latest meeting placed an agentic AI platform inside government decision-making for the first time. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, chaired the session. The Abu Dhabi Executive Council reviewed public projects meant to lift government performance and community […]
- iPhone
Apple’s iPhone Duo brings its first foldable phone with an October launch
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, and it opens like a small book into a 7.6-inch screen. Closed, you hold a 5.4-inch outer display that fits in a pocket. Both screens share the same aspect ratio, so a video or app scales cleanly as you move between them. Stand it up on a […]
- Tourism
UAE passport ranks first globally in 2026 with record mobility score of 182
Passport Reports says the UAE passport ranks first globally in 2026, recording a Mobility Score of 182 and worldwide access of 91.9 percent. Holders can reach that many destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival, other simplified entry arrangements, or an eTA. This particular measure places the document among those commonly called the world’s most […]
- Etihad Airways
Etihad launches Etihad Escapes to extend travel experience beyond flights
Etihad Airways has unveiled Etihad Escapes, a new travel platform designed to extend the Etihad experience beyond the flight and make it easier for guests to plan and book more of their journey in one place. Announced at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, Etihad Escapes will launch in October, initially allowing guests with […]
- META
What Meta One in the UAE means for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook users
Meta One in the UAE is now live, and it turns your everyday apps into a paid menu of upgrades. Behind it is Meta, owner of WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, offering upgrades to individuals, creators and businesses. The core apps stay free. You pay only if you want more. Prices run from Dh5.99 to Dh1,199 […]
- THE EXECUTION STACK
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- THE QUOTE OF THE WEEK
WORDS THAT MOVED THE WEEK
DUBAI CONTINUES TO OFFER A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR DEVELOPING AN ADVANCED AND IMPACTFUL MEDIA SECTOR.
- H.H. SHEIKH AHMED BIN MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM
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