Global Pulse

分类： business

  • Nissan to recall about 643,000 SUVs in US over engine, gear issues

    Nissan to recall about 643,000 SUVs in US over engine, gear issues

    Nissan Motor Corporation has initiated a substantial safety recall affecting approximately 643,000 Rogue sport utility vehicles across the United States. The announcement came Thursday following investigations by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that identified two distinct mechanical issues posing significant safety risks.

    The Japanese automaker is implementing two separate recall actions simultaneously. The first recall targets 318,781 Rogue SUVs manufactured between specific production periods, addressing faulty throttle body gears that have shown susceptibility to breakage. The second recall encompasses 323,917 vehicles from different production batches, focusing on damaged engine bearings that could potentially lead to hazardous oil leakage.

    According to NHTSA documentation, these technical defects present serious driving hazards. The compromised throttle body gears could result in sudden loss of propulsion power, while the damaged engine bearings might cause hot engine oil discharge, creating dual threats of potential engine compartment fires and unexpected power failure while driving.

    As remediation measures, Nissan authorized dealerships will perform essential software updates to the engine control modules and conduct thorough inspections of the identified components. Where inspection reveals damaged parts, technicians will execute complete replacements using enhanced components designed to address the identified failure points.

    The recall campaign represents one of the most significant automotive safety actions of the year, affecting nearly all Rogue SUV models from specific model years. Nissan has committed to directly notifying affected vehicle owners through official channels, with repair services to be provided at no cost to consumers.

  • US trade deficit hits fresh high despite Trump’s tariffs

    US trade deficit hits fresh high despite Trump’s tariffs

    The United States witnessed its merchandise trade deficit surge to an unprecedented $1.2 trillion in the past fiscal year, marking a 2.1% increase from 2024 levels, according to official data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This record imbalance emerged despite the Trump administration’s comprehensive tariff strategy aimed at reshaping global trade dynamics.

    President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which imposed levies of at least 10% on imports from nearly every trading partner, failed to stem the tide of foreign goods entering American markets. Instead, imports reached a historic peak of $3.4 trillion, driven partially by artificial intelligence-related business investments that boosted demand for computer components and equipment.

    The administration’s trade policy, which intended to revitalize domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas production, produced mixed results. While trade with China—an early target of the tariffs—declined significantly, reducing the bilateral deficit by approximately 30% to $202.1 billion (the smallest gap in two decades), the US simultaneously recorded record trade imbalances with Mexico, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

    The broader goods and services deficit, which incorporates sectors such as travel and digital services, remained virtually unchanged at $901.5 billion compared to $903.5 billion in 2024. This persistent gap contradicts one of the White House’s primary economic objectives: reducing what officials characterize as a national security vulnerability caused by overdependence on foreign manufacturing.

    Business communities have faced substantial turbulence due to frequent revisions to tariff policies and the administration’s use of trade threats as diplomatic leverage. Most recently, the president signed an executive order threatening additional taxes on nations maintaining trade relations with Iran.

    The future of the tariff regime remains uncertain as the Supreme Court considers a legal challenge brought by businesses and states that could potentially invalidate most of last year’s tariffs. Administration officials have indicated they would pursue alternative mechanisms to reinstate the tariffs should the court rule against them.

    Financial analysts at Wells Fargo project continued supply chain realignments but anticipate modest import growth regardless of tariff pressures in the coming year.

  • Financial support with a festive upside as CashNow launches rewards campaign

    Financial support with a festive upside as CashNow launches rewards campaign

    In response to shifting financial patterns during Ramadan, digital lending platform CashNow has launched a limited-time promotional campaign combining short-term liquidity solutions with festive incentives. The initiative addresses the seasonal compression of expenses that characterizes this period, when multiple financial obligations converge despite regular income schedules.

    The Festive Rewards program automatically enrolls loan applicants in a raffle system offering potential multipliers on borrowed amounts. Participants can receive refunds of 2x, 4x, or even 10x their loan value through a transparent drawing mechanism. This supplementary incentive attaches to CashNow’s core service of providing immediate digital loans up to Dh5,000 with minimal documentation requirements.

    Financial experts note that Ramadan typically creates distinctive cash flow challenges for households, characterized not by long-term affordability issues but by temporary timing mismatches between income and expense cycles. The digital micro-loan model specifically targets these short-term liquidity gaps without positioning itself as a long-term financing solution.

    The platform maintains its operational framework of transferring approved amounts directly to users’ digital wallets, emphasizing both accessibility and security. The raffle structure is explicitly designed as opportunity-based rather than guaranteed, maintaining realistic expectations while adding potential value for users already considering short-term financial support.

    This dual approach of addressing immediate liquidity needs while incorporating seasonal rewards reflects evolving trends in digital financial services during periodsof increased financial activity. The campaign runs throughout the Ramadan season, aligning with traditional patterns of elevated household spending and financial transfers.

  • Gargash Group partners with Adyen to drive next-level payment innovation

    Gargash Group partners with Adyen to drive next-level payment innovation

    In a significant move to accelerate its digital transformation journey, UAE-based conglomerate Gargash Group has entered into a strategic partnership with global financial technology leader Adyen. The collaboration was formally established during a signing ceremony at the Mercedes-Benz Brand Center in Dubai Design District, marking a pivotal step in the Group’s commitment to technological advancement and customer experience enhancement.

    The implementation phase has commenced with the deployment of Adyen’s unified payment platform across Sixt UAE operations, a key entity within the Gargash portfolio. This integrated system enables seamless payment processing through multiple channels including online, physical stores, and mobile interfaces. The comprehensive solution handles diverse transaction types from deposits and pre-authorizations to refunds, chargebacks, and toll payments within a single centralized framework.

    Early results demonstrate substantial operational improvements, particularly in reducing manual processing requirements and enhancing reconciliation accuracy. The platform’s 360-degree transaction visibility has significantly strengthened data integrity, audit controls, and organizational transparency.

    Walid Hizaoui, Group Chief Strategy Officer at Gargash Group, emphasized the strategic nature of this initiative: “Our collaboration with Adyen represents a deliberate advancement in our digital transformation agenda, focusing on operational efficiency through automation, robust systems, and scalable data integrity. This partnership accelerates our AI and digital capabilities while building future-ready operations across the organization.”

    Daumantas Grigaravicius, Head of Middle East at Adyen, highlighted the benefits: “By consolidating complex payment processes onto a unified platform, we’re reducing friction, enhancing control, and creating smoother experiences for both customers and operational teams.”

    The partnership aligns with Gargash Group’s broader commitment to governance, sustainable partnerships, Emiratisation, digital enablement, and community engagement. This technological integration supports the UAE’s national objectives for sustainable economic development, positioning the Group as a forward-looking enterprise dedicated to creating lasting value for stakeholders and the wider community.

  • Gold prices to average $5,300 in 2026 and $5,500 in 2027, IIF says

    Gold prices to average $5,300 in 2026 and $5,500 in 2027, IIF says

    A significant structural shift in the gold market is paving the way for sustained higher price levels, according to a new analysis from the Institute of International Finance (IIF). The global financial think-tank projects the precious metal will average $5,300 per ounce throughout 2026 before climbing to an average of $5,500 in 2027, signaling a new long-term trading range driven by increased financialization and changing global monetary conditions.

    The IIF’s comprehensive assessment identifies several fundamental factors supporting medium-term demand, notably robust central bank acquisitions and potential ETF inflows. However, short-term price movements will continue to reflect dynamic interactions between real yield fluctuations, US dollar strength, global liquidity conditions, and geopolitical risk perceptions.

    Garbis Iradian, Chief Economist for Mena and Central Asia at IIF, emphasized that while gold appears structurally better supported than in previous market cycles, its trajectory remains contingent on multiple variables. ‘Gold prices will ultimately reflect the evolution of key drivers rather than a mechanical continuation of recent gains,’ Iradian stated in the newly released research note.

    The analysis outlines specific upside risks that could propel prices beyond baseline projections, including an accelerated decline in real yields, renewed financial system stress, stronger-than-anticipated ETF inflows, or escalating geopolitical tensions that sustain safe-haven demand. Conversely, downside risks emerge from a prolonged high-interest rate environment, US dollar appreciation, weakening global liquidity, or a deceleration in official-sector purchasing activity.

    Market context shows gold trading around $5,000 per ounce on Thursday after reaching record highs of $5,500 earlier in the year, with prices demonstrating volatility throughout the trading session. In UAE markets, 24K gold was quoted at Dh600.75 per gram, reflecting regional price variations.

    The IIF’s baseline projection assumes a soft-landing scenario characterized by gradual monetary easing, modest US dollar weakness, improving global liquidity conditions, and sustained official-sector demand. Under these conditions, gold prices are expected to remain elevated through 2026–2027, though the pace of appreciation may moderate as macroeconomic tailwinds gradually diminish.

  • UAE rental market begins to move beyond cheque-based payments

    UAE rental market begins to move beyond cheque-based payments

    The United Arab Emirates’ rental market is undergoing a fundamental transformation as innovative payment solutions challenge the long-established dominance of cheque-based transactions. For years, new residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have faced the surprising requirement to provide between one and four post-dated cheques covering annual rent—a practice that creates significant financial planning challenges for tenants who typically receive monthly salaries.

    This structural mismatch between income cycles and rental payments has prompted the emergence of new financial models that allow tenants to pay monthly while ensuring landlords still receive the full annual amount upfront. The evolution is supported by developing infrastructure, including the integration of Dubai’s Ejari tenancy registration system with the UAE Direct Debit System (UAEDDS), which enables scheduled rental payments directly through bank accounts.

    Real estate platforms are simultaneously expanding beyond their traditional listing functions into transaction services. Companies like MyQasr are exploring integrated rent collection, digital contract management, and income verification tools that require closer collaboration with financial institutions. This shift toward transaction-focused services represents a significant evolution in how property platforms operate within the market.

    A particularly notable development involves non-card-based monthly payment solutions that address the needs of residents without extensive local credit histories. These models aim to resolve two persistent issues: tenants’ struggle to align large payments with monthly income cycles, and landlords’ need for financial security without assuming installment risk.

    The transformation extends to other sectors of the property market, with short-term rental operators competing through more flexible payout options and lower commission rates. Simultaneously, the convergence of real estate with digital assets is gaining traction, with tokenization enabling fractional property ownership and improved liquidity—all within Dubai’s regulatory framework for digital assets.

    Mortgage integration is also advancing, with platforms working to embed pre-approval processes directly into property search journeys. This reflects growing consumer expectation for earlier digital affordability assessments rather than late-stage financial verification.

    As these changes unfold, industry observers emphasize the importance of transparency regarding costs, fee structures, termination conditions, and data handling practices. The ultimate success of these innovations will depend on their ability to genuinely reduce market friction without introducing new complexities or risks to tenants and landlords alike.

  • Al Maya: Honouring the sacred traditions

    Al Maya: Honouring the sacred traditions

    As the UAE transitions into the sacred month of Ramadan, Al Maya Group demonstrates how four decades of community integration have shaped its distinctive approach to seasonal retail. The homegrown supermarket chain, established in the 1980s, has evolved beyond conventional grocery services to become an institution deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Emirati society.

    During Ramadan, Al Maya’s operational transformation becomes particularly evident. Stores undergo comprehensive merchandising shifts, prioritizing essential ingredients that define traditional Suhoor and Iftar meals. Shelves prominently feature dates, lentils, rice, fresh fruits, and specialty beverages that cater to the fasting period’s nutritional needs. The retailer’s product assortment consciously reflects the UAE’s multicultural demographics, offering diverse regional specialties that enable various ethnic communities to maintain their culinary traditions.

    The shopping environment undergoes deliberate recalibration to align with Ramadan’s distinctive rhythm. Store layouts emphasize accessibility and purposeful navigation rather than impulsive purchasing, creating a calm atmosphere conducive to family shopping expeditions. Display strategies focus on meal preparation and hospitality essentials, mirroring the month’s emphasis on gathering and shared nourishment.

    Kamal Vachani, Deputy CEO and Group Director at Al Maya Group, emphasizes the philosophical underpinnings of their approach: “Ramadan fundamentally reinforces our organizational ethos of compassion, generosity, and communal solidarity. We perceive our role as enabling family preparations while serving as a dependable community partner throughout the holy month.”

    The supermarket’s significance transcends commercial transactions, functioning as an informal community nexus where daily shopping rituals intersect with cultural traditions. This longstanding presence in residential neighborhoods fosters continuity and familiarity during a period when households prioritize traditional practices and collective gatherings.

  • UAE authority warns of entity impersonating Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange

    UAE authority warns of entity impersonating Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange

    The UAE’s Capital Management Authority (CMA) has issued an urgent investor alert regarding an unidentified entity fraudulently impersonating the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX). In an official advisory published on February 18, 2026, the regulatory body emphasized that neither the CMA nor the legitimate DGCX assumes any responsibility for transactions conducted with unauthorized parties.

    The financial authority strongly advised all investors to rigorously verify the licensing status of any entity before committing to agreements or transferring funds. Investors were directed to consult the comprehensive list of licensed companies available on the CMA’s official website as a protective measure against potential financial fraud.

    This warning marks the second such alert issued by the CMA within weeks. On February 2, 2026, the authority similarly cautioned investors against engagements with Star Light Marketing Management Services, an unlicensed marketing firm operating without authorization to conduct regulated financial activities within the UAE.

    The consecutive advisories signal heightened regulatory vigilance against unauthorized financial operations in the region. The CMA’s proactive communications strategy reflects growing concerns about sophisticated financial scams targeting investors in commodity and exchange markets.

  • UAE’s stablecoin push shifts from pilots to point‑of‑sale as CBUAE rulebook takes hold

    UAE’s stablecoin push shifts from pilots to point‑of‑sale as CBUAE rulebook takes hold

    The United Arab Emirates is executing a strategic transition of regulated stablecoins from experimental pilots into mainstream commercial applications, establishing itself as a global leader in blockchain-enabled financial infrastructure. This transformative shift is governed by the Central Bank of UAE’s comprehensive regulatory framework that mandates strict monetary safeguards while paving the way for future interoperability with the national digital currency.

    According to the landmark report ‘The UAE Blockchain Ecosystem’ produced through collaboration between Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center and Binance, the nation has cultivated an optimal environment for institutional blockchain deployment through regulatory precision, diversified capital investment, and increasing market influence. The ecosystem has progressed beyond preliminary testing phases into active production implementation across numerous enterprise applications.

    The regulatory cornerstone emerged in July 2024 when the Central Bank instituted the Payment Token Services Regulation, establishing requirements for 100% reserve backing of dirham-denominated payment tokens. The framework explicitly prohibits algorithmic and privacy tokens for payment purposes while restricting foreign-currency stablecoins primarily to trading pairs on licensed exchanges, thereby maintaining the dirham’s supremacy in domestic commerce.

    In October 2024, AE Coin achieved distinction as the first fully licensed AED-pegged stablecoin through DhStablecoin LLC in partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank, establishing a precedent for centralized issuance within regulatory parameters rather than through peripheral crypto market channels. The adoption momentum accelerated dramatically in December 2025 when ADNOC Distribution signed a memorandum to accept AE Coin across approximately 980 service stations throughout the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. This deployment extends stablecoin functionality to fuel purchases, convenience store transactions, and car wash facilities, representing one of the most extensive retail implementations of regulated payment tokens worldwide.

    Concurrently, telecommunications provider e& UAE initiated a partnership to pilot AE Coin for consumer bill payments, mobile recharges, and digital services, indicating stablecoin integration into essential utility payments. Additional dirham-referenced initiatives are advancing through consortiums involving International Holding Company, ADQ, and First Abu Dhabi Bank, which announced plans for bank-issued dirham stablecoins. Zand Bank secured regulatory approval in November 2025 to launch a dirham-pegged token on public blockchains, demonstrating competition emerging within the licensed payment-token category among both traditional financial institutions and fintech innovators.

    The UAE’s nuanced approach permits non-dirham stablecoins in appropriate contexts: USD and EUR stablecoins have received recognition within specific free-zone frameworks for trading and settlement purposes, though not for routine domestic merchant transactions. This balanced methodology aligns capital market liquidity requirements with retail commerce monetary policies.

    This stablecoin implementation coincides with the inaugural retail phase of the Digital Dirham, launched in December 2025 through payment service providers to offer residents instantaneous, fee-exempt peer-to-peer transfers. The central bank has strategically positioned this central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative as complementary to private payment tokens, incorporating design provisions that anticipate future interoperability between the Digital Dirham and licensed stablecoins to ensure uniform settlement standards across both public and private financial channels.

    The policy emphasis reflects the UAE’s high-volume payments economy, where domestic systems processed over Dh20 trillion in transfers during the first ten months of 2025. As one of the world’s largest sources of outbound remittances, the nation prioritizes transaction velocity, system resilience, and regulatory compliance as fundamental design objectives.

    Licensed infrastructure providers are developing solutions aligned with these regulations. Payment specialists and financial institutions are piloting AED-to-stablecoin conversion mechanisms and exploring tokenized deposits for on-chain treasury operations that remain entirely within the banking ecosystem. Regulated exchanges and custodians are integrating dirham-token parameters into both consumer and institutional workflows. Operational standards encompass reserve segregation, net liquid asset thresholds, technological safeguards, cybersecurity controls, and continuous reporting requirements, embedding compliance throughout the issuance and distribution processes.

    The emerging consideration focuses not on policy direction but implementation specifics. Point-of-sale adoption will depend on wallet interoperability among multiple dirham stablecoins, merchant integration expenses, and technical alignment with Digital Dirham interfaces. With numerous bank-backed issuers developing products and an active CBDC pilot offering commission-free transfers, the UAE is positioned for dual-track evolution where regulated private tokens and public digital currency expand concurrently, normalizing dirham-denominated digital money across petroleum, telecommunications, and daily retail while containing non-dirham stablecoins to trading and institutional contexts under combined free-zone and federal supervision.

  • Tata’s data centre business signs up OpenAI as first customer

    Tata’s data centre business signs up OpenAI as first customer

    In a landmark development for India’s technology sector, Tata Consultancy Services has announced a strategic partnership with artificial intelligence pioneer OpenAI. The parent company of ChatGPT revealed on Thursday that it will become the inaugural customer for Tata’s newly established data center business, committing to an initial capacity of 100 megawatts.

    The collaboration represents a significant endorsement of India’s growing data infrastructure capabilities. Concurrently, Tata Group unveiled ambitious internal plans to implement ChatGPT Enterprise across its vast organizational network. This enterprise-wide deployment will commence with several hundred thousand employees and gradually expand throughout the conglomerate’s diverse business units over the coming years.

    This dual-faceted agreement underscores the accelerating global demand for advanced computing infrastructure driven by artificial intelligence applications. The partnership positions Tata Group at the forefront of India’s digital transformation while providing OpenAI with critical infrastructure support for its expanding operations. The arrangement also signals growing confidence among international technology leaders in India’s capacity to support cutting-edge AI development and deployment.

    The announcement comes amid increased investment activity in India’s data center sector, with several global technology giants recently committing substantial resources to develop digital infrastructure throughout the country. This growing interest reflects India’s emerging status as a crucial hub for digital services and artificial intelligence innovation.