AD Ports Group has launched operations of its Central Asian logistics joint venture, GulfLink, in partnership with KTZ Express, the freight arm of Kazakhstan Railways.

GulfLink is jointly owned by AD Ports Group (51 per cent) and KTZ Express (49 per cent), the multimodal transport and logistics subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ).

The venture is designed to support trade flows across the region by developing international transport corridors and boosting Kazakhstan’s role in the global logistics system.

Key link to AD Ports Group’s strategy for the Middle Corridor route

“We are pleased to announce the commencement of operations for our GulfLink joint venture with KTZ Express in Kazakhstan, one of Central Asia’s fastest growing economies, and a key link in our strategy to upgrade the Middle Corridor route,” said Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, regional CEO of AD Ports Group.

“This initiative will help turn the corridor into a major East-West trade artery linking consumers and manufacturers in Asia and Europe.”

The new venture offers cargo connectivity from Central Asia through Pakistan, Türkiye, the Arabian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.

GulfLink aims to provide more resilient and efficient supply chains for regional and international customers.

Damir Kozhakhmetov, general director and chairman of the Management Board at KTZ Express, called GulfLink “a bold, value-enhancing joint venture” that would provide “a new level of unique, end-to-end connectivity for Kazakhstan regionally and globally”.

Kazakhstan, where approximately 70 per cent of freight moves by rail, plays a pivotal role in regional logistics. KTZ, with 16,000km of rail lines, is one of Central Asia’s largest and most strategic state-owned enterprises.

Kamal Huseynov, CEO of GulfLink, said the new entity will bring value to customers through innovation and the integration of logistics resources from both parent companies.

GulfLink will play a crucial role

GulfLink is also expected to play a key role in reviving the Middle Corridor, a strategic East-West trade link connecting China and Europe through Central Asia.

AD Ports Group has pledged investments of over $775m in Kazakhstan and is working on several initiatives including a grain terminal and a multipurpose terminal at Kuryk Port.

The group’s growing Central Asian logistics network complements its maritime and port assets in Türkiye and Pakistan, as it continues to position itself as a global trade enabler across key emerging corridors.

du, the leading telecom and digital services provider in the UAE, announced an expanded strategic collaboration with Disney+, the streaming platform from The Walt Disney Company. As part of the renewed partnership, du will offer 12 months of complimentary Disney+ access to customers with home wireless subscriptions, reinforcing its mission to deliver enhanced value and entertainment.

Premium streaming for every household

The enhanced offering gives du customers access to a vast library of Disney+ content, including blockbuster films, award-winning TV series, and exclusive Disney+ Originals. The platform features content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star – Disney’s general entertainment brand. From classic animation and documentaries to comedies and critically acclaimed dramas, Disney+ continues to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Read-du and Omantel expand Gulf connectivity with high-speed fibre network

Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: “We have extended our collaboration with Disney+ to elevate the entertainment experience for every du subscriber. With a wide range of acclaimed movies, series, and Originals at their fingertips, our customers can enjoy world-class entertainment whenever they choose. We are also thrilled to see Disney’s presence grow in the region and the UAE with a brand-new Disney destination on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, bringing iconic stories and magical experiences to life like never before.”

Stronger regional ties with global brands

The partnership not only boosts du’s service offerings but also supports Disney’s growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Vasilis Iliopoulos, vice president and country manager, The Walt Disney Company MENA, added: “We are delighted to build on the strong relationship we share with du. Our collaboration not only delivers on the promise of exceptional entertainment to customers but also reflects du’s innovative spirit and customer-first philosophy. We anticipate that this strengthened bond will extend the magic of Disney+ to a broader audience, which remains a cornerstone of our growth strategy in the MENA region.”

User-friendly features with family in mind

To ensure a safe and personalised experience, Disney+ includes robust parental controls. Users can manage mature content access through PIN-protected profiles and dedicated kids’ profiles, providing families with greater peace of mind. The platform supports up to four concurrent high-quality streams, unlimited downloads on 10 devices, and the ability to create up to seven personalized profiles.

From the laughs of Modern Family and the drama of Grey’s Anatomy to upcoming blockbusters like Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King, du subscribers now have more ways than ever to enjoy premium entertainment at home.

Masdar City has launched real-world testing of Level 4 autonomous vehicles (AVs) in partnership with smart mobility provider Solutions+, a Mubadala company. The initiative is being overseen by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and marks a significant step forward in the emirate’s efforts to become a global hub for sustainable and innovative transport.

The project involves the registration, testing, and operational approval of Level 4 AVs, ensuring full compliance with safety standards and aligning with Abu Dhabi’s vision for a smarter, more connected transport network, a WAM report said.

Read-Timeline revealed: Driverless Ubers to hit Dubai roads

Level 4 automation allows vehicles to operate independently within a geofenced area, without the need for driver intervention. Masdar City, known for its sustainability credentials and technological innovation, is offering itself as a testbed for the emerging technology, welcoming global AV manufacturers to trial their solutions within the city’s urban ecosystem.

Strategic move toward sustainable transport

The initiative highlights Masdar City’s growing role as a clean-tech and smart mobility leader. It is home to the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster, furthering Abu Dhabi’s ambition to develop future-ready cities through cutting-edge technologies.

Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, commented on the development, saying, “The announcement of Level 4 testing marks a substantial leap forward in AV capabilities. We are proud that Masdar City is once again leading the way in the development of this critical technology. This initiative aligns with our vision to shape the cities of the future through innovation, digital integration, and environmental responsibility.”

Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director-General of the ITC, echoed the sentiment, calling it a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey toward embracing future mobility. “This initiative reaffirms our commitment to supporting innovation through a flexible regulatory environment. We are enabling a sustainable transport model that strengthens the emirate’s global competitiveness,” he said.

Testing in a real-world urban ecosystem

The proof-of-concept phase involves a 2.4-kilometre route within Masdar City. The AVs are currently navigating a loop that links key landmarks such as the Siemens building, North Car Park, My City Centre Masdar mall, Central Park, and others, passing by the International Renewable Energy Agency headquarters, MC2, and The Link.

Initially, safety officers are stationed onboard the vehicles. However, as the trials progress, full autonomous control will be managed remotely from a centralized operations room. The testing will help refine AV technology to meet UAE-specific operational and regulatory needs, especially in response to local infrastructure and climate conditions.

Ali Alyafei, Chief Operations Officer at Solutions+, said the collaboration is crucial for refining the technology. “Partnering with Masdar City allows us to test Level 4 AVs in a real-world environment that blends advanced infrastructure with a strong sustainability focus. This collaboration not only sharpens our solutions but also supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”

Performance, safety, and adaptability will be rigorously assessed during the testing phase. If successful, the initiative could pave the way for broader deployment of autonomous vehicles across the capital, in line with future government regulations.

A decade-long commitment to AV innovation

Masdar City’s latest trials continue a long-standing commitment to autonomous mobility. The city introduced its first-generation AVs in 2010 and has since evolved into a regional innovation hub for sustainable urban solutions. This latest initiative, led through its Smart Mobility Cluster, underscores its mission to accelerate the adoption of clean and intelligent transportation systems.

By positioning itself as a real-world testing ground, Masdar City is not only contributing to the development of global AV standards but also reinforcing the UAE’s role as a front-runner in the smart cities space.

Oil prices were stable on Friday, as investors weighed a weaker market outlook for this year by the International Energy Agency (IEA) despite tightness in the prompt market, in addition to tariff concerns and possible further sanctions on Russia.

Brent crude futures were up 19 cents, or 0.28 per cent, at $68.83 a barrel as of 0807 GMT US West Texas Intermediate crude ticked up 25 cents, or 0.38 per cent, to $66.82 a barrel.

Both contracts were little changed on the week, with Brent headed for a 0.8 per cent gain against last Friday’s close, and WTI for a 0.3 per cent loss against last Thursday’s close as markets were closed on July 4.

The IEA on Friday boosted its forecast for supply growth this year, while also trimming its outlook for growth in demand.

That notwithstanding, the IEA said peak summer refinery runs to meet travel and power-generation demand were keeping the market tight for now.

Front-month September Brent contracts were trading at a $1.11 premium to October futures at 0807 GMT.

“Despite a market-wide expectation of an oil glut at the back end of this year, the current spate of drivers is lacking anything that might send prices back to the lows seen in April and May. Civilians, be they in the air on the road, are showing a healthy willingness to travel,” PVM analyst John Evans said.

One other sign of robust prompt oil demand was the prospect of Saudi Arabia shipping about 51 million barrels of crude oil in August to China, the biggest such shipment in over two years.

Longer term, however, rival forecasting agency OPEC cut its forecasts for global oil demand in 2026 to 2029 because of slowing Chinese demand, the group said in its 2025 World Oil Outlook published on Thursday.

Both benchmark futures contracts lost more than 2 per cent on Thursday as investors worried about the impact of Trump’s evolving tariff policy on global economic growth and oil demand.

“Prices have recouped some of this decline after President Trump said he plans to make a ‘major’ statement on Russia on Monday. This could leave the market nervous over the potential for further sanctions on Russia,” ING analysts wrote in a client note.

Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin due to the lack of progress on peace with Ukraine and Russia’s intensifying bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

The European Commission is set to propose a floating Russian oil price cap this week as part of a new draft sanctions package.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is ramping up its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across its operations, particularly within energy distribution, as part of a wider digital transformation strategy. The initiative is designed to boost operational efficiency, reliability, and service quality.

At the core of this transformation is DEWA’s smart grid, backed by Dhs7bn in investments through to 2035. The advanced infrastructure is key to ensuring uninterrupted, integrated energy and water services throughout Dubai.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted the role of the utility’s Distribution Network Smart Centre, which processes more than 15 million units of data from the distribution network each day. This data is transformed into insight reports and interactive dashboards that aid in data-driven decision-making.

“Our projects and initiatives contribute to consolidating Dubai’s position as a globally leading city in adopting AI solutions and advanced digital technologies. Deploying AI in the energy distribution sector is part of our efforts to enhance the efficiency of the smart grid and strengthen our operational readiness. Our adoption of disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has helped us achieve the world’s lowest rate of electricity customer minutes lost. In 2024, Dubai recorded just 0.94 minutes per customer, significantly lower than the 15-minute average of leading European utilities,” said Al Tayer.

The Smart Centre also employs Big Data, AI, and machine learning to deliver diagnostic and analytical services, which enhance real-time maintenance and boost customer satisfaction.

As of the end of 2024, DEWA operated 69 33kV substations and 45,317 medium-voltage (11kV and 6.6kV) substations. To meet rising electricity demand driven by Dubai’s urban and economic expansion, the utility deployed over 1.2 million smart electricity meters and 1.1 million smart water meters across the emirate.

With 100% of customers now using smart meters, DEWA is strengthening its position as a leader in smart energy and water networks, supporting Dubai’s vision of a fully digital and sustainable future.