Etihad Rail has announced that its high-speed passenger train service is scheduled to launch in 2026. The announcement was made via the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
First revealed in January 2025, the project aims to build the UAE’s first all-electric, high-speed passenger train connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The train is expected to reduce travel time between the two emirates to just 30 minutes.
Operating at speeds of up to 350km/h, the train will stop at six key stations: Reem Island, Saadiyat, Yas Island, and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, as well as Al Maktoum International Airport and Al Jaddaf in Dubai.
As part of a joint venture formed after a 2022 agreement between the governments of the UAE and Oman, Etihad Rail is also constructing a 303-kilometer railway linking Sohar Port in Oman to the UAE National Rail Network. The total investment for the project is estimated at $3bn.
The expansion of the network has enabled the launch of Etihad Rail’s freight operations, with the carrier expected to transport up to 60 million tonnes annually by 2030.
The rail passenger services will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, stretching from Al Sila to Fujairah. Each passenger train will accommodate up to 400 passengers.
Estimated travel times between key destinations are as follows:
Abu Dhabi to Dubai: 57 minutes
Abu Dhabi to Ruwais: 70 minutes
Abu Dhabi to Fujairah: 105 minutes
By 2030, the number of passengers is projected to exceed 36.5 million annually. The first four stations to open will be in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah.
GE Vernova announced energy initiatives valued at up to $14.2bn to support power generation and grid stability projects in Saudi Arabia.
The announcement includes up to $2bn in backlog or reservation agreements as of Q1 2025, alongside a pipeline of future contracts and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) extending over the next four years.
The initiatives were signed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
The initiatives are aligned with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its target of achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
“As the world’s energy equipment manufacturer, GE Vernova is proud to deploy world class technology to help deepen the longstanding relationship between the USand Saudi Arabia, advance energy security, and strengthen the economic prosperity and competitiveness of both nations,” said GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik. “We are committed to continuing our work to grow capacity and jobs in the U.S. and beyond to meet these critical needs.”
Saudi partnerships to drive energy transition
Among the key collaborations:
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and GE Vernova will supply heavy duty gas turbines built in Greenville, South Carolina; synchronous condensers and balance of plant equipment to stabilize the grid; and capital parts and maintenance services to enhance operational efficiency.
Principal Buyer and GE Vernova signed MOUs for supplying advanced power generation equipment and services, commercializing carbon capture technologies, and investing in training, manufacturing, and R&D in the power sector.
ACWA Power and GE Vernova agreed to explore opportunities for supplying high-efficiency gas turbines and electrification equipment. ACWA Power is a global leader in desalination, energy transition, and green hydrogen.
Aramco and GE Vernova will collaborate on maintenance services, repairs, and spare parts to ensure reliability across Saudi power plants.
GE Vernova has operated in Saudi Arabia for nearly 90 years, with a power generation installed base of over 50 gigawatts. Its presence includes the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center (GEMTEC) Campus in Dammam, which houses facilities for turbine servicing, component manufacturing, and R&D, employing up to 850 people.
The announcements underscore GE Vernova’s role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving energy landscape and its long-term commitment to supporting industrial growth, energy security, and technological innovation in the region.
6,700 millionaires relocated to the UAE in 2024, report reveals
Betterhomes suggests the evolution of Dubai’s property market into a “structural asset class,” with HNWI investment increasingly focused on long-term residential value rather than short-term market cycles
Image: Dubai Media Office/ For illustrative purposes
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Dubai is poised to attract a major surge of international wealth in 2025, potentially reshaping its role in the global financial system, according to a new report by real estate brokerage Betterhomes.
Titled Dubai: No Longer a Pit Stop, But the Finish Line for Global Wealth, the report outlines how shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics are fueling high-net-worth individual (HNWI) migration to the UAE. This, in turn, is transforming Dubai’s prime real estate landscape.
In 2024, 6,700 millionaires relocated to the UAE. With 142,000 millionaires expected to migrate globally in 2025, Betterhomes projects that if just five per cent choose Dubai, the emirate could gain around 7,100 new millionaires — bringing with them approximately $7.1bn (Dhs26bn) in capital. That figure would represent nearly half of Dubai’s total foreign direct investment in 2024.
HNWIs looking to “anchor” themselves in Dubai, UAE: Betterhomes CEO
“Dubai’s real estate market is no longer driven by speculation, but by strategic, long-term capital,” said Louis Harding, CEO of Betterhomes. “We are seeing global wealth not just arrive, but anchor itself here, in branded residences, legacy properties, and high-quality developments built for permanence.”
The report identifies key global “push” factors influencing millionaire migration, including increasing wealth taxes, political instability, and tightening immigration policies. These are contrasted with Dubai’s appeal as a tax-efficient, safe, and globally connected lifestyle hub.
Betterhomes suggests the evolution of Dubai’s property market into a “structural asset class,” with HNWI investment increasingly focused on long-term residential value rather than short-term market cycles.
As the emirate continues to draw the world’s wealthy, Dubai’s role as a global benchmark for residential investment is expected to grow.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and US President Donald Trump on Wednesday witnessed the signing of a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, reflecting deepening strategic ties between the two countries, Qatar News Agency reported.
The signing ceremony included a high-profile agreement for the purchase of aircraft from Boeing, a statement of intent for defense cooperation, a letter of offer and acceptance for MQ-9B drones, and another for the FS-LIDS anti-drone system.
The two leaders also signed a joint declaration of cooperation between the governments of Qatar and the US.
The ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and other senior Qatari officials, while members of the official US delegation joined President Trump.
Trump-Emir discuss regional developments
Speaking after the ceremony, the Emir stated that the talks covered bilateral relations and key regional developments. “The memorandums of understanding signed today will elevate our bilateral relations to a higher level,” he said, expressing gratitude to President Trump for his visit to Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, President Trump described the discussions with the Emir as extensive and focused on international issues including the Ukraine crises, acknowledging Qatar’s supportive role. He also highlighted future developments in commercial and defense cooperation, underlining his longstanding friendship with the Emir and expressing his desire to expand joint efforts.
The agreements underscore the growing partnership between Qatar and the US in areas such as defence, investment, energy, and regional security. They are expected to reinforce Qatar’s strategic capabilities while strengthening American ties in the Gulf region.
The global healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the urgent need for scalable, tech-enabled solutions.
What was once a long-term ambition, the integration of technology across systems and services has become an immediate priority. From policy to practice, digital health is no longer optional. It’s here, it’s accelerating and the time for implementation is now.
Nowhere is this momentum more visible than in the Middle East and North Africa.
Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are investing heavily in next-generation healthcare infrastructure. From AI-powered diagnostics and smart hospitals to digital patient records and virtual care platforms, the MENA region is fast becoming a key player for healthtech innovation.
In the UAE alone, landmark initiatives such as the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, the introduction of Malaffi – the first health information exchange platform in the middle East and the deployment of advanced robotics and telemedicine solutions highlight a clear commitment to building a future-ready healthcare system. Saudi Arabia’s Health Sector Transformation Programme, part of Vision 2030, is similarly redefining delivery models at national scale.
This growing ecosystem of investment, policy support and private-sector innovation is precisely why we’re launching WHX Tech in Dubai from 8–10 September 2025 a groundbreaking event designed to accelerate digital health adoption, cross-border partnerships and bring the most advanced, transformative technologies to the forefront.
Solenne Singer is senior vice president, Informa Markets.
WHX Tech is the latest expansion of WHX — the world’s largest network of healthcare events and will be launched in partnership with HIMSS, the global authority in health information and technology.
WHX is no stranger to building world-class events in Dubai, with its flagship, WHX Dubai (formerly Arab Health), having welcomed the global healthcare community since 1975. Organised by the same team behind WHX Dubai, WHX Tech is set to follow a similar trajectory bringing together innovators, investors, healthcare leaders and policymakers to shape the future of digital health.
With more than 300 exhibitors and 5,000+ health tech leaders expected to attend, WHX Tech isn’t just another trade show. It’s a curated platform built to accelerate collaboration among startups, investors, regulators, and global healthcare operators.
Why Dubai?
Building on the legacy of launching world-class healthcare events in Dubai, choosing the city as the launchpad for WHX Tech was a natural decision.
Dubai is already a global crossroads for business and innovation and increasingly for health. With its advanced digital infrastructure, innovation-friendly policies, and unmatched connectivity to global markets; Dubai provides the ideal environment to support new models of care.
Government-led initiatives, such as the Dubai Health Strategy 2026 and Dubai Future Foundation’s sandbox for healthcare innovation, further reinforce the city’s ambition to lead, not follow.
WHX Tech is here to reflect and amplify that ambition.
Our three core stages, World X, Future X, and Xcelerate will showcase everything from real-world smart hospital implementations to the most promising biotech and AI startups shaping the next 20 years of health.
As a platform built for innovation, WHX Tech is committed to accelerating the startups driving healthcare transformation. The Xcelerate Zone, featuring its own dedicated startup stage, will host the region’s largest digital health startup competition offering a $50,000 prize fund and the opportunity for early-stage ventures to pitch directly to global investors. Beyond the competition, startups will gain access to curated networking, expert feedback, and connections that can unlock funding, partnerships, and commercial growth.
Hosting Xcelerate in Dubai, a global hub for entrepreneurship, healthcare investment, and cross-border expansion gives startups an unparalleled platform to scale their impact across the Middle East and beyond.
What sets WHX Tech apart isn’t just its scale, but its purpose. We’ve assembled a world-class advisory board featuring industry leaders including Dr David Rhew (Microsoft), Dr James Mault (BioIntelliSense), Dr Myriam Fernandez (AWS), Dr Tamara Sunbul, ReenitaDas (Frost & Sullivan) and Dr Sam Shah (NEOM), to ensure the event stays grounded in outcomes and global best practice.
The time is now
As technologies evolve, so must the ways we connect, collaborate and drive change. WHX Tech emerges at a time when healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with questions of access, ethics, regulation, and data interoperability. Through live demos, immersive content, and expert-led panels, the event will tackle these challenges head-on, while opening doors for meaningful collaboration across borders.
WHX is where innovation comes to life, turning innovation into impact to benefit the healthcare systems that support both the people who deliver care and those who depend on it. It’s where policymakers shape the future of regulation, startups bring breakthrough technologies to market, and investors back solutions that will transform health systems. At WHX Tech, global ambition meets regional opportunity and the future of healthcare becomes reality.
The future of healthcare will be defined at WHX Tech and we invite you to be part of the movement.
Talabat, the region’s leading delivery platform, and global mobility company Bolt have partnered to bring added convenience and savings to UAE users.
The collaboration offers talabat pro subscribers exclusive discounts on Bolt rides, combining two of the most widely used apps in the daily routines of residents across the UAE.
For users, the result is simple: fewer apps, more savings, and a more connected lifestyle. Whether ordering a favourite meal or booking a ride, convenience is now just a tap away.
How talabat customers will benefit
Under the initiative, talabat pro members will receive 10 per cent off 10 Bolt rides each month, with a maximum discount of Dhs15 per ride.
The new benefit is designed to extend the value of talabat’s loyalty programme — already known for its perks such as free delivery on restaurants, groceries, and DineOut — into the realm of everyday transportation.
“At talabat, we believe in aligning ourselves with companies that not only drive meaningful impact but also actively support the communities we serve,” said Tomaso Rodriguez, CEO of talabat. “This partnership with Bolt is just the start of enhanced benefits for our loyal talabat pro customers and a step towards exploring synergies that deliver greater value, innovation, and experiences.”
Mansoor Alfalasi, CEO of Dubai Taxi Company and local partner of Bolt, echoed the sentiment, saying: “By partnering with talabat, a platform already woven into people’s daily routines, we’re meeting users where they are — whether they’re ordering dinner, groceries, or heading out for the evening.
“This partnership allows us to offer even more value, making everyday mobility more accessible while supporting Dubai’s vision for smarter, more connected urban living.”
A strong quarter
This development follows news of talabat’s robust Q1 performance. Rodriguez said on the occasion: “We achieved outstanding results, with GMV rising 30 per cent year-on-year to $2.1bn, driven by strong consumer demand and our resilient operational performance throughout Ramadan.
“The completed acquisition of instashop, combined with rising customer demand and margin expansion across both our GCC and non-GCC markets, has also fuelled our impressive growth this quarter – particularly in our Groceries and Retail business, which continues to gain remarkable popularity across MENA.
“Looking ahead to the reminder 2025, we remain focused on building on this progress and realising meaningful synergies and efficiencies from the instashop acquisition. As integration activities progress over the next few quarters, we’re set up to deliver even greater value and convenience to our customers, partners, riders and shareholders.”
