The inaugural Polo Classic Cup — which took place on 7 December, 2025 — made a confident and well-attended debut at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, welcoming more than 400 guests as the official Speakers’ Welcome for Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW).
Conceived as a refined prelude to a packed week of high-level discussion and deal-making, the event brought together global leaders from finance, technology, blockchain, and government in a setting designed to encourage meaningful conversation away from conference halls. The day commenced with opening remarks from Abdullah Al Suwaidi, chief support services officer at ADGM, who underscored Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global platform for dialogue, capital, and cross-border collaboration.
The polo itself featured a blend of local and international talent, with Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general of the Tourism Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, taking to the field alongside recognised global players. Set against the backdrop of one of the region’s most iconic landmarks, the matches were complemented by curated hospitality and informal networking moments that continued throughout the afternoon.
Off the field, the guest list reflected the breadth and influence of Abu Dhabi Finance Week. Leaders from major companies such as ADNOC, Allianz, AON, Standard Chartered, Brookfield Global Funds, Blackrock, BNP Paribas, G42, Guggenheim Family, Jefferies, Lonestar, Taylor Wessing, Visa, Hanwha and Temasek were all strongly represented.
“The Polo Classic Cup is where business influence meets lifestyle elegance,” said Louise Karim, CMO of AIOKA, the global hospitality and events firm behind the concept. “It creates a space for global leaders to connect in a way that is elevated yet relaxed, while reflecting the UAE’s heritage and ambition.”
Max Palethorpe, CEO of AIOKA, said the event was intentionally designed to prioritise genuine connection. “This is more than a sporting occasion,” he said. “By bringing together decision-makers in a setting like this, we create an environment that strengthens relationships and builds lasting value. Together with our partners, we’re setting a new benchmark for luxury sporting experiences.”
As a first edition, the Polo Classic Cup succeeded in its aim of setting the tone for Abu Dhabi Finance Week — blending sport, culture, and global business, while offering senior leaders a rare moment to slow down, engage, and build rapport before the week’s agenda gathered pace.
Exxon Mobil XOM.N, Saudi’s Aramco 2222.SE and Samref on Monday signed an agreement to evaluate a significant upgrade of the Samref refinery in Yanbu, and an expansion of the facility into an integrated petrochemical complex.
The companies intend to explore capital investments to upgrade and diversify production, including high-quality distillates that result in lower emissions and high-performance chemicals, Aramco said in a statement.
Earlier this year, the Saudi state oil giant had signed a memorandum of understanding with Exxon to evaluate an upgrade to the Samref refinery.
Samref is an equally owned joint venture between Aramco and Mobil Yanbu Refining Company, which is a wholly owned unit of Exxon.
Gold is on track to close 2025 as one of the strongest-performing assets worldwide, gaining almost 60 per cent year-to-date — its best annual performance in more than four decades — according to Farhan Badami, market analyst at eToro.
Despite a slight pullback from the record highs reached in October, sentiment around the metal remains robust as markets head into the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. “Markets remain convinced that a December rate cut is coming, and the backdrop still supports that view,” Badami said.
He noted that although inflation data has been uneven, pricing pressures have not re-accelerated in response to recent tariff policies, reducing the likelihood of a more aggressive Federal Reserve stance. The ongoing US government shutdown has further complicated policy-making, limiting access to real-time economic data. Even so, market confidence has held firm, with the S&P 500 up roughly 5 per cent from its November low on expectations that easing is already priced in.
Farhan Badami, market analyst at eToro
Badami said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces a communications challenge this week. “He needs to strike a balance between confidence that inflation continues to move in the right direction and reassurance that the Fed is not cutting because it fears a sharper downturn,” he said.
Gold has benefited this year from sustained safe-haven flows, elevated geopolitical tensions, and unprecedented central bank buying. ETF inflows have reached record levels, reflecting demand from institutional investors as well as younger retail buyers reallocating into defensive assets.
Looking ahead to 2026, Badami said the key question is not whether gold can hold its appeal, but how high prices could go if uncertainty persists. “Central banks look set to keep accumulating bullion as they hedge against currency and inflation risks. That steady official demand remains a strong anchor for prices, and $5,000 is not off the table,” he said.
The macroeconomic drivers that propelled gold to new highs this year — geopolitical volatility, persistent inflation concerns, and shifting US fiscal dynamics — show few signs of easing. With renewed uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s administration, Badami expects investors to continue allocating to the metal. The environment, he added, “sets the stage for another year in which investors continue to seek comfort, stability, and protection in the world’s oldest safe haven.”
What Netflix vs Paramount’s $100bn clash means for Gulf media, licensing and content access
Regional media houses, telecom operators bundling streaming, and VOD platforms may get a rare chance to partner with or licence content from either of these super-studios
In what is swiftly becoming the most dramatic takeover contest in media history, Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile, all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), directly challenging Netflix’s blockbuster acquisition agreement.
Two radically different blueprints for WBD
On December 5, 2025, Netflix announced a deal to acquire WBD’s studios, streaming services and content libraries, including HBO/HBO Max, DC Entertainment/DC Studios, and Warner Bros. production, in a cash-and-stock agreement valued at roughly $82.7bn enterprise value (≈ $72bn billion equity value). Under the deal, WBD linear-TV networks (cable and traditional channels) would be spun off into a separate entity.
Just days later (December 8), Paramount Skydance, under CEO David Ellison, counter-punched with a hostile takeover bid offering $30 per share in cash, valuing the full company (studios, streaming, and cable networks) at $108.4bn, including debt.
According to Business Insider, Paramount argues its all-cash offer delivers superior value, regulatory certainty, and a simpler path to closing, compared with Netflix’s mixed cash-and-stock proposal and planned asset carve-out.
Why the battle matters for the media business and beyond
A successful Netflix–WBD merger would create a global streaming powerhouse with unmatched libraries — combining legacy studio IP (from Warner Bros.), premium-TV content (HBO), and streaming scale under one roof. That could accelerate streaming dominance worldwide.
On the other hand, a Paramount-driven full-company takeover would restore a vertically integrated media conglomerate: combining legacy TV networks, studios, streaming, and broadcast/cable operations. For shareholders, it offers a cleaner, higher-cash exit. For the media industry, it could preserve a broader footprint — spanning streaming, traditional broadcasting, and theatrical distribution.
But either outcome carries major risk: regulatory scrutiny (both in the US and abroad), concerns about media concentration, potential job losses (especially if overlapping operations are consolidated), and uncertainty about how legacy networks and streaming will be monetised in a rapidly changing media landscape.
What this could mean for Gulf and broader Middle East markets
For media companies, distributors, broadcasters and content partners in the Gulf and MENA region, the stakes are significant:
Content syndication, licensing, and distribution: Whichever entity, Netflix or Paramount-WBD, wins control of Warner’s vast library and ongoing production slate, regional distributors may face renegotiated licensing deals or tighter exclusivity agreements. That could reshape streaming and pay-TV content supply in the Gulf.
Competition and consumer choice: A merged Netflix–WBD or a re-integrated Paramount media conglomerate could dominate global content, potentially reducing the bargaining power of regional players, or alternately offering more premium content, depending on how the acquirer chooses to internationalise and license.
Investment and partnership opportunities: Regional media houses, telecom operators bundling streaming, and VOD platforms may get a rare chance to partner with or licence content from either of these super-studios. The higher the acquisition value and pressure to monetise globally, the more likely they might pursue aggressive distribution/licensing deals — which could open doors for Gulf-based pay-TV or streaming ventures.
What’s next: key milestones and what to watch
According to Reuters, the board of Warner Bros. Discovery has acknowledged Paramount’s proposal but, at least for now, remains supportive of Netflix’s takeover agreement.
The Guardian reports that Paramount’s offer is being presented directly to shareholders, bypassing WBD’s board in what’s legally termed a “hostile bid.” The company argues this gives shareholders a chance to vote on a “superior all-cash” option.
Whoever emerges victorious may still face lengthy and intense antitrust reviews, both in the US and in key international markets. Regulators may view consolidation of major studios, cable networks and global streaming under one roof as a threat to competition — a factor that could shape how the deal is allowed to proceed or what concessions are required.
For Gulf-region stakeholders — media houses, distributors, content platforms, telecom operators — the outcome may determine access to global content rights, the structure of regional licensing deals, and competitive dynamics for streaming and pay-TV services across the Middle East.
In short: the battle for Warner Bros. Discovery is more than a Hollywood drama; it’s a global media-economics event with serious implications for content distribution, licensing and media competition worldwide, and for markets like the Gulf that serve as major syndication and distribution hubs.
Wynn Al Marjan Island takes shape: A look at the resort’s newest reveals, additions
Wynn Al Marjan Island confirmed it will debut a museum-calibre art collection on opening day, bringing together rare masterpieces
Wynn Al Marjan Island is accelerating toward its Spring 2027 debut in Ras Al Khaimah, announcing major developments across art, hospitality, dining, events and guest experience. The $5.1bn integrated resort, one of the region’s most ambitious tourism investments, is being positioned as a global luxury destination where museum-calibre art, world-class culinary concepts, cutting-edge design, and expansive entertainment converge across more than 60 hectares of oceanfront real estate.
In a series of milestone updates, the resort is spotlighting its signature art collection, previewing its event spaces, unveiling its first restaurant partnerships, and offering a first look at guest accommodations, showcasing the depth and scale of what will define Wynn’s first beachfront property.
Wynn Al Marjan Island confirmed it will debut a museum-calibre art collection on opening day, bringing together rare masterpieces, newly commissioned works and signature pieces from Wynn’s global portfolio. Exhibited throughout public spaces, guest rooms and suites, the collection forms an immersive Living Gallery built around one of the Middle East’s most significant private art holdings, Wynn Al Marjan Island’s media release said.
Spanning prehistoric, ancient, Victorian, Old Master, natural-world and Orientalist periods, the portfolio includes a 66-million-year-old Triceratops skull, a newly commissioned Light Into Life sculpture by British artist Marc Quinn, and a 10-metre 17th-century wool-and-silk tapestry with counterparts at the Louvre and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Major works from other Wynn properties will also be showcased, including Jeff Koons’ 11-metre Tulips, a Jaume Plensa sculpture from his Secret Garden series, a quartet of rare 18th-century Buccleuch vases, and a Victorian cut-glass console and mirror.
Todd-Avery Lenahan, President and Chief Creative Officer of Wynn Design & Development, said the art experience is built to be accessible, informal and memorable: “Beauty is a universal language… we design moments that encourage engagement across every age and background.”
A defining chapter of the collection explores a contemporary reinterpretation of the East-West artistic dialogue that shaped 19th-century Orientalism, reversing the historical journey by bringing significant works back to the region that inspired them. Notable pieces include Caravan in the Desert by Gustave Guillaumet and Rudolf Ernst’s Entering the Temple.
The 7,708 square metre venue is anchored by a 2,633 square metre column-free grand ballroom framed by Roman-style windows overlooking the marina. Complementary enhancements include dedicated bride and groom salons, private prayer rooms, six versatile meeting rooms, and a 1,390-square-meter event lawn with views of the Arabian Gulf.
“We selected a neutral, sun-washed palette that acts as a blank canvas,” said Lenahan, noting that the ballroom can transform seamlessly from vibrant celebrations to high-impact corporate events.
The meeting rooms, named after master artists including Bourdelle, Calder, Miró and Klimt, incorporate advanced audiovisual systems, high-speed connectivity and support from Wynn’s Event Production Services team.
Image credit: Wynn Resorts/Website
A culinary preview: Ducasse Steakhouse and Delilah Supper Club
Wynn has announced the first two of 22 restaurants and lounges planned for the resort: an Alain Ducasse French-American steakhouse and Delilah, the famed supper club concept from Wynn Las Vegas.
Ducasse’s two-floor, 1,820 square metre steakhouse will reinterpret American classics with contemporary French flair. The menu will feature Duck Fois Gras Brioche, Cheese Soufflé, a “Beef Club” section with curated selections and sauces, tableside carvings and theatrical desserts such as a flambéed Baked Alaska. “The culinary experience will radically reinvent the steakhouse concept,” Ducasse said.
Delilah, spanning 2,060 square metres, will evoke the glamour of 1950s supper clubs from New York to Paris. With live music, intimate tableside experiences, and signature dishes such as Beef Wellington and Chicken Tenders, the venue extends Wynn’s partnership with The h.wood Group. Co-founders Brian Toll and John Terzian said they are “thrilled to introduce Delilah to the Middle East for the very first time.”
Image credit: Wynn Resorts/Website
First Look at guest rooms: A new expression of Wynn Design
Wynn Al Marjan Island has released the first look at its resort tower accommodations, previewing rooms, suites and villas designed exclusively for the property. The Resort King room introduces a unique entry vestibule, a departure from typical hotel layouts, enhancing privacy and creating a residential feel.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Arabian Gulf views, while arched forms, reflective surfaces, and layered textures draw from regional heritage and 18th- and 19th-century influences. Warm tones, sculptural detailing and custom lighting reflect the resort’s coastal setting, with bathrooms featuring double vanities, walk-in showers and freestanding soaking tubs.
“These rooms are rooted in the language of Wynn but reinterpreted for this oceanfront experience,” said Lenahan.
In addition to its 1,530 accommodations, the resort will feature 24 restaurants, a five-star spa, a Shopping Parterre, 12 pools, lush gardens, a deep-water marina for vessels up to 75 meters, a 420-meter private beach and signature Wynn entertainment. Construction remains on track for early 2027.
Sharjah Digital Department, in collaboration with Sharjah Municipality, has launched a revamped package of rental services on the Aqari platform, under the umbrella of the Digital Sharjah Platform. The strategic rollout establishes a unified and integrated real estate ecosystem, positioning Aqari as the central digital destination for all rental-related transactions in the emirate.
The move marks a major transition from traditional, paper-based procedures to a sustainable, fully digital model aligned with Sharjah Government directives and the UAE’s national vision to embed advanced technologies across public services, a WAM report said.
By standardising rental procedures across all municipalities, the initiative reinforces transparency and simplifies the customer journey for investors, business owners, and residents alike. The new setup is designed to streamline workflow, ensure accuracy of data, and strengthen efficiency across all real estate transactions, delivering the benefits of digital integration at scale.
Standardised processes to enhance transparency
The Aqari platform now offers an expanded suite of services encompassing all types of lease contracts, multiple payment options, and personalised dashboards for every user. Customers can access services through UAE Pass and instantly view property and contract details. Through direct integration with the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority and other relevant entities, moving in and out of properties is now fully digitised, enabling a seamless, round-the-clock experience.
The enhanced system represents a significant leap in automation and service delivery. Lease contracts can now be completed through simplified digital steps, from registration to instant issuance. With 95 per cent of processes fully automated and minimal human intervention, overall processing time has been sharply reduced compared to the previous system. Users benefit from faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient services.
Leadership highlights digital transformation momentum
Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, director-general of Sharjah Digital Department and chairman of the Committee for the Integrated Real Estate Services Platform Project Aqari, affirmed that the launch of the enhanced rental services package reflects Sharjah’s commitment to strengthening government efficiency and deploying innovative solutions that improve the experience of individuals, businesses, and society.
He stated: “At Sharjah Digital Department, we are dedicated to building advanced infrastructure and delivering sustainable, proactive solutions that empower government partners across the emirate to achieve full digital integration. This enables the delivery of automated services with tangible impact, both now and into the future.”
Sheikh Saud added that the launch marks a new phase in Sharjah’s digital transformation, one that moves beyond automation toward true digital integration with measurable economic impact.
Transitioning from traditional processes to a fully integrated model, he noted, supports the vision of creating a human-centred digital system that drives Sharjah’s competitiveness regionally and globally.
Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, director-general of Sharjah Municipality, emphasised that digital transformation is now a cornerstone of service delivery, especially amid the emirate’s rapid urban and demographic growth. He said the partnership with Sharjah Digital Department has streamlined procedures, delivered more effective customer solutions, and maximised the value of services provided to the public.
