Etihad Rail, United Trans, and Via have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to integrate Etihad Rail services into the Citymapper journey planning app, aiming to deliver seamless, multimodal travel across the UAE.

The collaboration is designed to make public transportation more accessible by allowing passengers to plan journeys that combine Etihad Rail with metro, bus, on-demand transit, and micromobility within a single app.

Citymapper will provide real-time information, optimised routing, and fare visibility, helping riders compare options, reduce transfer times, and choose the most efficient travel route.

“This initiative reflects Etihad Rail’s commitment to building a modern, integrated transport system that improves mobility for residents and visitors alike,” said Azza Alsuwaidi, deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility.

She added that the partnership positions rail as the backbone of the UAE’s public transport network.

Etihad Rail’s passenger service, expected to launch in 2026, will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, carrying up to 400 passengers per train at speeds of up to 200 km/h.

The agreement also explores first- and last-mile services powered by Via’s on-demand technology and operated by United Trans, aiming to provide reliable access to rail while reducing congestion and promoting sustainable travel.

“United Trans has long been committed to advancing smart mobility solutions across the UAE,” said Raed Abu Hijleh. Chris Snyder, COO at Via, added that the initiative connects every part of the transit network into one seamless, rider-centric experience.

United Trans and Via have previously collaborated on on-demand transportation services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman, with the Citymapper integration marking the next phase of their partnership.

Etihad Rail signs MoU with Yango Group

In other news, Etihad Rail recently signed another MoU with Yango Group to simplify travel for passengers by integrating Yango’s ride-hailing service with Etihad Rail’s upcoming passenger network.

Under the agreement, Yango and Etihad Rail will coordinate operational logistics around stations, including passenger pick-up and drop-off zones, traffic management during peak hours, and clear access procedures to ensure a smooth travel experience.

The second phase of the collaboration will explore digital integration, allowing passengers to book rail tickets through the Yango app or reserve Yango rides directly via Etihad Rail’s digital channels.

Israeli hostages may be released as early as Saturday under a US plan to end the war in Gaza and the country’s military will complete the first part of a partial withdrawal from the enclave within 24 hours of the deal being sealed, said a source briefed on details of the agreement.

The signing of the agreement is expected to take place at noon Israel time (0900 GMT) on Thursday, said the source.

Israel’s security cabinet and government are due to hold meetings on the agreement at 5 p.m. Israel time (1400 GMT).

Israelis and Palestinians rejoiced after Trump announced that a ceasefire and hostage deal was reached under the first phase of his plan to end a war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people and reshaped the Middle East.

However, Israeli strikes on three Gaza City suburbs continued overnight and in the morning hours of Thursday, residents said. Lines of smoke rose over Shejaia, Tuffah and Zeitoun in the early hours of Thursday, witnesses said, but there were no reports of casualties.

Just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas militants’ cross-border attack that triggered Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt yielded an agreement on the initial stage of Trump’s 20-point framework to bring peace to the Palestinian enclave.

The accord, if fully implemented, would bring the two sides closer than any previous effort to halt a war that had evolved into a regional conflict, drawing in countries such as Iran, Yemen and Lebanon.

“Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing,” said Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo, a man in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

“I am not the only one happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, all of the world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed.”

But the agreement announced by Trump late on Wednesday was short on detail and left many unresolved questions that could yet lead to its collapse, as has happened with previous peace efforts.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said on Truth Social.

“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump added.

Successful completion of the deal would mark a significant foreign policy achievement for the Republican president, who had campaigned on bringing peace to major world conflicts but has struggled to swiftly deliver, both in Gaza and on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“With the approval of the first phase of the plan, ALL our hostages will be brought home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.”

Hamas says deal includes prisoner-hostage swap

The conflict upended the Middle East in Israel’s favour after it assassinated the leaders of Tehran-backed Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and killed top Iranian commanders and pounded Yemen’s Houthis.

But global outrage has mounted against Israel’s assault. Multiple rights experts, scholars and a U.N. inquiry say it amounts to genocide. Israel calls its actions self-defence after the 2023 Hamas attack.

Hamas confirmed it had reached an agreement to end the war, saying the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange.

“We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain, and that we will remain true to our pledge – never abandoning our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved,” Hamas said.

Gaza authorities say more than 67,000 people have been killed and much of the enclave has been flattened since Israel began its military response to the Hamas cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.

Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage back to Gaza, according to Israeli officials, with 20 of the 48 hostages still held believed to be alive.

Despite the hopes raised for ending the war, crucial details are yet to be spelled out, including the timing, a post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas.

In Tel Aviv’s so-called Hostages Square, where families of those seized in the Hamas attack that sparked the war two years ago have gathered to demand the return of loved ones, Einav Zaugauker, the mother of a hostage, was ecstatic.

“I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t explain what I’m feeling … it’s crazy,” she said, speaking in the red glow of a celebratory flare.

“What do I say to him? What do I do? Hug and kiss him,” she added, referring to her son, Matan. “Just tell him that I love him, that’s it.”

Trump, Netanyahu congratulate each other

A Hamas source said the living hostages would be handed over within 72 hours of the Israeli government approving the deal. Hamas officials have insisted it will take longer to recover the bodies of dead hostages, believed to number about 28, from Gaza’s rubble.

Trump told Fox News’ ‘Hannity’ program on Wednesday that the hostages will probably be released on Monday.

Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone and congratulated each other on an “historic achievement,” and the Israeli prime minister invited the US president to address Israel’s parliament, according to Netanyahu’s office.

Hamas said earlier on Wednesday it had handed over its lists of the hostages it held and the Palestinian prisoners held by Israel that it wanted to be exchanged.

The Islamist group has so far refused to discuss Israel’s demand that it give up arms, which the Palestinian source said Hamas would reject as long as Israeli troops occupy Palestinian land.

Oil prices fell as the prospects of a ceasefire lessened one potential disruption to world supplies.

The next phase of Trump’s plan calls for an international body led by Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to play a role in Gaza’s post-war administration.

Arab countries which back the plan say it must lead to eventual independence for a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu says will never happen.

As organisations across the EMEA and GCC navigate growing demands for productivity, security, and cost efficiency, AI-enabled PCs are rapidly emerging as a strategic necessity. Taha Khalifa, GM for Intel Middle East and Africa, explains how these devices are reshaping enterprise computing by integrating AI directly at the endpoint.

By processing workloads locally, AI PCs enable businesses to gain faster insights, maintain control over sensitive data, and reduce reliance on cloud infrastructure—a critical advantage for sectors like government, finance, and energy.

Intel’s AI PC Global Report highlights tangible benefits: enterprises using AI PCs spend 65 per cent less time on device management, require 90 per cent fewer on-site IT visits, and achieve a 213 per cent higher ROI over three years.

With Windows 10 support ending, businesses have a timely opportunity to upgrade their fleets with AI PCs, combining enhanced productivity with robust security. Intel’s vPro platform provides multi-layer hardware-based threat protection, while AI training programmes and collaboration with over 200 software vendors ensure employees and organisations can fully harness AI capabilities.

In this interview, Khalifa discusses how AI PCs are not just a technological upgrade, they are a tool for driving efficiency, innovation, and secure enterprise operations, positioning organisations to compete in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Intel has reported that AI PCs are driving productivity gains, enhancing IT efficiency, and helping businesses reduce cloud costs while keeping data local. From your perspective, how is AI PCs reshaping enterprise computing in EMEA and the GCC, and why should businesses care now?

AI PCs are transforming the way enterprises operate by integrating artificial intelligence directly at the endpoint, delivering higher ROI. Across EMEA and the GCC, where data sovereignty and operational efficiency are crucial, the ability to process AI workloads locally helps businesses achieve greater productivity, optimise costs, and maintain control over sensitive information.

This is particularly important for sectors such as government and finance, where regulatory compliance and data protection are critical.

According to Intel’s AI PC Global Report, research conducted across EMEA and the GCC shows that enterprises using AI PCs spend 65 per cent less time on device management, require 90 per cent fewer on-site IT visits, and achieve a 213 per cent higher ROI over three years.

By enabling real-time AI inference and minimising reliance on cloud infrastructure, organisations can realise substantial performance gains and cost savings, making AI PC adoption essential in today’s fast and competitive workspace.

With Windows 10 support winding down, many IT leaders see AI-enabled PCs as a timely upgrade to boost both security and productivity. How is Intel leveraging this transition to position AI PCs as essential, not optional, for modern business fleets?

As Windows 10 support nears its end, businesses are presented with an opportunity to upgrade their PC inventories. We recognise this transition as the ideal juncture to upgrade to AI PCs as a strategic necessity.

Our latest Intel Core Ultra processors seamlessly integrate CPU, GPU, and NPU technologies, delivering advanced AI capabilities, superior performance, and enhanced energy efficiency. Combined with Intel vPro platform, businesses can safeguard their infrastructure as well as future-proof operations with enhanced security.

Research shows that while most businesses plan to move to AI PCs, many employees still don’t fully understand the benefits. What is Intel doing, regionally and globally, to bridge that knowledge gap and ensure businesses realise the full value of AI on the PC?

We recognise that raising awareness is key to successful AI PC adoption. Effective training is crucial for maximising AI PC benefits; in a recent global survey 95 per cent of respondents believe employees need training to use AI PCs effectively.

Ongoing training is essential to bridge the skills gap, as many organisations currently offer only one-off training sessions. Intel is collaborating with many organisations locally to scale its AI training programmes adapted for the youth and the workforce. This can help bring this knowledge gap. Intel is also working closely with the growing ecosystem of independent software vendors (ISVs) to optimise applications for AI PCs, enhancing their capabilities and ensuring organisations are prepared for future demands.

We have optimised more than 400 AI application features through our collaboration with more than 200 ISV’s. Additionally, Intel established the AI PC acceleration programme, which brings together a robust ecosystem of independent software vendors to deliver hundreds of optimised AI-enabled applications ready for immediate deployment. This ensures that when organisations adopt AI PCs, employees experience tangible benefits in their daily work.

According to Intel AI-PC global report 90 per cent of business and IT decision-makers say AI PCs will boost productivity, 92 per cent link AI PCs to innovation enabling new products, services, and revenue streams and 90 per cent see AI PCs as key to gaining customer insights.

Intel’s latest product launches include processors with integrated NPUs and GPUs designed to optimise AI performance. Looking ahead to next-generation desktop and enterprise solutions, how do these innovations reflect Intel’s strategy for empowering enterprise AI workflows?

Our strategy is clear: We allow businesses with the flexibility to deploy AI workloads where they deliver the greatest impact, whether on CPU, GPU, or NPU. The Intel Core Ultra processors family and next-generation platforms are built to optimise this balance, supporting everything from lightweight AI assistants to heavy enterprise workloads.

This architecture is developed to deliver optimal performance, enhanced energy efficiency, and seamless mobility, ensuring organisation can scale AI solutions without compromise.

Looking ahead, the company’s roadmap will further extend these capabilities to desktop and enterprise systems, meeting the growing demand for scalable AI workflows across industries. Our approach is to allow organisations with new possibilities to grow in a rapidly evolving AI-driven world.

AI PCs handle more sensitive inference locally, which carries its own risks, from data poisoning to new cyber threats. How is the company helping enterprises balance the performance benefits of edge AI with the need for stronger cybersecurity?

Intel vPro platform delivers the most comprehensive security — as security remains the the number one refresh driver, together we can help customers benefit from the most comprehensive threat and identity protection with multi-layer hardware-based protection for today’s evolving cyber threats — delivered out of the box. AI PC workloads benefit from a secure foundation.

Advanced capabilities such as hardware-based threat detection, memory encryption, and AI-assisted security solutions help mitigate sophisticated cyber risks.

Moreover, keeping sensitive data processed locally minimises the vulnerabilities associated with transmitting data across networks or to the cloud. This comprehensive, layered approach spanning hardware, firmware, and software ensures enterprises can leverage AI PCs while maintaining the highest standards of trust and security.

The company has forecast that a significant portion of the PC market will be AI-enabled within the next few years. In your view, what’s the real state of AI PC adoption in EMEA and the GCC today, and what needs to happen for that vision to become reality?

We expect that by 2028, 80 per cent of PC sales will be AI PC’s. Adoption of AI PCs in EMEA and the ME is steadily growing as the technology, and the AI applications start gaining momentum in both the consumer and commercial segments. Organisations are actively evaluating AI PCs, particularly those in government, telecoms, and energy sectors, where innovation and regulatory compliance are paramount.

As we discussed before, creating awareness and scaling AI training programmes aligned with the continued availability of AI applications and features through our ISV enablement programmes will be critical to deliver to this vision. It is also crucial to ensure alignment with regional data protection and security regulations.

We are committed to collaborating with governments, enterprises, and software developers to accelerate adoption. We are confident that soon, AI PCs will become the standard for enterprise computing infrastructures throughout the region.

The Nemetschek Group, the global software provider for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AEC/O) industry, has announced a strategic partnership with WakeCap Technologies, the construction technology company specialising in sensor-powered, real-time project control systems. The collaboration is aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) construction sector.

The partnership combines Nemetschek Group’s extensive portfolio of software solutions with WakeCap’s advanced, sensor-driven project controls platform, which provides real-time workforce visibility and site-wide intelligence. Currently deployed across over $100bn worth of giga-projects and tracking more than 150 million worker hours, WakeCap operates the region’s largest workforce database. Its solutions have driven major improvements, including a 90 per cent reduction in safety violations, productivity gains exceeding 25%, and 70% faster incident response times. WakeCap’s safety technologies are now mandated across Aramco, Neom, and Qiddiya.

Under the agreement, both companies will jointly pursue business opportunities across the GCC, leveraging WakeCap’s regional expertise and strong industry relationships to accelerate Nemetschek Arabia’s market expansion. The collaboration includes joint go-to-market strategies for construction and real estate stakeholders, as well as the potential integration of WakeCap’s technologies with Nemetschek’s leading software platforms, such as Bluebeam, dTwin, and GoCanvas.

The partnership also extends to knowledge exchange and the co-creation of thought leadership content, including whitepapers and digital construction initiatives. Both companies will participate together in regional industry events and explore new synergies within the infrastructure and natural resource sectors, where demand for intelligent, data-driven project delivery is growing.

Marc Nezet, group chief strategy officer and chief division officer of the Nemetschek Group, said: “WakeCap is one of the most innovative frontrunners in the global construction tech landscape. Their ability to deliver real-time visibility and actionable insights at scale is reshaping how major infrastructure projects are built and managed. By combining Nemetschek’s world-class software capabilities with WakeCap’s cutting-edge solutions and regional strength, we are excited to unlock transformative outcomes for the GCC’s construction sector.”

Muayad Simbawa, managing director of Nemetschek Arabia, added: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to accelerate digital innovation in construction across the Gulf region. Together with WakeCap, we aim to deliver more connected, intelligent, and efficient project delivery models that align with the region’s national development agendas and sustainability goals.”

“This partnership validates our vision of transforming construction through real-time intelligence,” said Dr. Hassan Albalawi, CEO and founder of WakeCap. “We’ve proven our technology can fundamentally change how giga-projects are delivered, reducing risk, and driving efficiency. Now, by combining our field-proven platform with Nemetschek’s global reach and software ecosystem, we’re not just expanding our market, we’re defining the future of construction technology. Our joint solutions will become the global benchmark for intelligent project delivery, starting here in the GCC where the world’s most ambitious projects are already relying on WakeCap.”

The agreement reinforces Nemetschek Group’s long-term commitment to advancing digital innovation in the global construction and infrastructure industries. With a portfolio of interoperable, sustainable solutions that span the entire AEC/O lifecycle, Nemetschek continues to empower architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers to build smarter and more efficiently.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, has released its fifth publication in the Future of Finance series, titled The Future of Alternative Investments.

The report highlights the rapid global expansion of alternative investments, with assets under management (AUM) tripling over the past decade to exceed $20tr. It underscores Dubai’s emergence as a key gateway for investors pursuing alternative opportunities across high-growth emerging markets.

Once viewed as niche, alternative investments have become increasingly mainstream, with institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and family offices expanding allocations. Growth is being fuelled by investor demand for diversification, inflation protection, and uncorrelated returns, with asset classes such as private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, and digital assets gaining strategic significance—particularly in emerging markets.

Emerging markets

According to the report, emerging markets are now positioned as key growth engines for the alternatives industry, driven by rapid GDP growth—outpacing developed markets by two to three per cent—alongside young populations and the ability to leapfrog traditional systems. Markets such as Dubai are creating new frontiers for investment in innovation-led sectors including AI, sustainable infrastructure, and digital assets, placing technology and sustainability at the centre of economic progress.

With regulatory clarity improving globally, cryptocurrency and tokenisation are becoming more widely accepted, particularly in emerging markets where adoption rates continue to rise. Sustainability-linked projects are also driving infrastructure investments, with Dubai leading these efforts regionally.

Dubai’s unique position as a global hub for alternative investments combines the transparency and investor protections of established financial centres with direct access to high-growth emerging markets. Through its adaptive regulatory framework, world-class infrastructure, and vibrant ecosystem, DIFC is connecting global capital with regional opportunities and propelling Dubai to the forefront of the alternatives landscape.

Read: DIFC’s DEWS scheme surpasses $1bn in assets under administration

The Centre now hosts more than 440 wealth and asset management firms, including 85 hedge funds—69 of which manage over $1bn—making it the largest cluster of alternative investment and asset management firms in the region. DIFC’s offerings, such as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and dedicated family office structures, provide flexibility and clarity for investors managing complex cross-border portfolios.

Supporting the growth of fund managers, the DIFC Funds Centre offers purpose-built office spaces, collaborative environments, and advanced digital infrastructure, positioning Dubai as a launchpad for alternative investment management.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “Emerging markets are a compelling frontier for alternative investments, backed by growing infrastructure needs, adoption of digital assets, and evolving innovation and sustainability agendas. Dubai, specifically, has positioned itself as a strategic gateway for investors seeking to capitalise on the next era of growth. Against this backdrop, DIFC is shaping the future of the alternative investments industry by offering legal, regulatory and operational clarity, and access to high-growth opportunities in emerging sectors and regional economies.”

The report was officially launched at the Fixed Income Alternatives Conference – Dubai, hosted by DIFC in collaboration with DealCatalyst. The event, the first of its kind in the emirate, gathered leading global investors, sovereign wealth funds, asset managers, banks, and financial experts to explore strategies shaping the future of fixed-income and alternative investments.