AEOwnership & classification
Founded: 2008
Ownership
The National is an Abu Dhabi English-language outlet first published on 17 April 2008 by the government-owned Abu Dhabi Media. In 2016 it was acquired by International Media Investments (IMI), part of the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, a private investment vehicle of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE and a member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family. It relaunched under IMI ownership in 2017.
Funding
Funded through advertising, subscriptions and the backing of its IMI owner; effectively underwritten by an Abu Dhabi ruling-family investment group rather than self-sustaining commercial revenue alone.
Affiliation & stance
Owned and bankrolled by a vehicle of the Al Nahyan ruling family, The National presents a pro-government, pro-UAE editorial line on Gulf and foreign affairs even though editors reject the 'mouthpiece' label. Because ultimate control rests with a senior member of the Abu Dhabi government, it is classified as DEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 379
82/100
Factual
79/100
Objective
807
Articles
807
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
U.S. and Iran agree to cease attacks and return to talks
World Cup round-up: Messi breaks scoring record, Algeria survive, but Jordan are eliminated
Morocco won the world's respect after eliminating the Netherlands
Seven reasons I fear for England against Mexico
UN: Israel continues to commit genocide by targeting children in Gaza
Spain held to a draw by Cape Verde in World Cup clash
Elite Swedish strike force delivers Tunisian defence a reality check
Blitztor after a replay Belgium defends Remis against Egypt
World Cup 2026: Sabri Lamouchi is on the podium more than ever
Recent coverage
Sudan's RSF closes in on Al Obeid as UN warned of imminent atrocities
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, is advancing toward Al Obeid in the North Kordofan region, which is currently held by the Sudanese army. The city has experienced significant disruptions due to RSF drone strikes targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, including the main power station, leading to power outages, water shortages, and hospital operations being affected. Residents report that life remains mostly normal despite these challenges, though fuel shortages persist after attacks on gas stations. Videos circulating online show RSF fighters claiming they will capture Al Obeid within days. Al Obeid is strategically important as it houses the army's 5th Infantry Division and serves as a major commercial hub. Losing this city would be a significant setback for the army, similar to their previous loss of El Fasher in Darfur, which led to widespread atrocities by the RSF. In response, multiple countries, including Norway, Britain, France, and Germany, have raised concerns at the UN Human Rights Council, warning of potential large-scale atrocities if the RSF escalates its assault on Al Obeid.
An American gets the maximum amount of recovery time at Wimbledon.
The article discusses the scheduling of the first-round doubles match at Wimbledon involving American tennis player Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams against the Argentine-Colombian pair Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The match was initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday but has been postponed due to Serena's injury during her singles match. Tournament organizer Andy Murray (likely a misstatement, as Andy Murray is a British player, and the correct name might be someone like Ashley Barker or another official) stated they are giving Serena as much time as possible to recover. They ruled out postponing the match to later dates unless necessary for safety or tournament flow. The match is expected to take place on a larger court to accommodate the large crowd attracted by Serena and Venus, who are major stars. Serena returned to professional tennis after four years, but she lost her first singles match and injured her knee. She did not attend a press conference afterward due to health reasons and expressed her commitment to participating in the doubles event. Serena and Venus have won six doubles titles together, including a title in 2016.
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
Andy Burnham takes politics to Reddit for public scrutiny
Andy Burnham, the potential next British Prime Minister, participated in a Reddit 'Ask Me Anything' session to directly engage with the public, marking a shift toward using social media for political discourse. This approach allows for unfiltered public scrutiny and interaction, bypassing traditional media channels. Users posed questions ranging from economic policy and social reforms to international relations, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The event highlighted a growing trend of citizens expecting politicians to communicate on platforms where they are already active. While Reddit emphasizes user-driven content and controversy, Instagram is used more for personal branding and visibility.
Al Freej Fridge returns to say thanks with drinks and ice creams for workers in Dubai
The Al Freej Fridge campaign, organized by Ferjan Dubai and supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, is returning for a third year to provide two million bottles of cold water, juices, and ice creams to workers in Dubai during the summer. The initiative aims to express gratitude to construction and service workers, reaching locations such as Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Al Warqa, and Al Barsha. Over 200 Emirati volunteers will distribute the supplies in two shifts, doubling the number from last year. The campaign emphasizes community involvement and social responsibility, encouraging citizens to show appreciation for workers through small gestures like offering water. It is part of broader efforts to mitigate the effects of summer heat and promote solidarity within the community.
We've drawn a line under the first part of the football World Cup: Messi is waiting for Ronaldo
The FIFA World Cup has moved into its second phase, with teams now eliminated and every match carrying significant weight. The first 18 days of the expanded tournament, which includes 48 nations, have delivered exciting moments, with some teams impressing while others disappointing. The introduction of breaks for rest has been expected to bring additional revenue, potentially adding 500 million euros to FIFA’s coffers. Fans have seen more goals than average over the past decade, with 215 goals scored in regular time across three matches. France leads the scoring table with the highest goal difference, maintaining its position among top favorites. Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed Eusebio’s record for Portugal, while Lionel Messi continues to lead the scoring charts with six goals. There is speculation about whether Kylian Mbappé could surpass Messi’s all-time record if he scores 19 goals. The competition promises more thrilling matches, especially between Messi and Ronaldo, though both face challenging paths to the final.
Cristiano Ronaldo's tears for Diogo Jota and the grief running through the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup featured moments of both celebration and mourning, as teams and fans honored individuals who could not participate due to personal tragedies. Portugal commemorated the first anniversary of Diogo Jota's death, with his former teammate Ruben Neves wearing Jota's number 21 jersey and Cristiano Ronaldo donning it during a match against Croatia. The timing of the match coincided with the anniversary of Jota's and his brother's deaths in a car crash. Meanwhile, Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo scored shortly after learning of the loss of his unborn child, showing emotional resilience. Spanish fans honored Manolo el del Bombo, a longtime supporter who passed away last year, by carrying a drum to a match. Curacao also paid tribute to fallen teammate Jairzinho Pieter during their first-ever World Cup point.
Abu Dhabi Police urge motorists to avoid distractions while driving
Abu Dhabi Police have issued a reminder to drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, emphasizing the need to focus solely on the road. They shared a video highlighting accidents caused by inattention, urging motorists to avoid using phones or engaging in activities that take their eyes off the road. The advisory notes that such behavior is a leading cause of serious traffic incidents and warns of penalties including a fine of Dh800 and four black points on the driver’s license. The message was posted on social media platform X.
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
Lebanon courts Emirati capital as envoy says investors 'more than welcome'
Lebanon is seeking increased economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with its ambassador to the UAE, Tarek Mneimneh, expressing openness to Emirati investment. He noted that there is interest from UAE investors in sectors like ports, airports, and digital governance, and emphasized the need for regulatory and security improvements. Prominent Emirati businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor had previously withdrawn investment due to concerns over security and corruption, but Mneimneh suggests renewed confidence. The UAE recently lifted a travel ban to Lebanon, which had been imposed due to tensions with Iran and Hezbollah. This follows a trilateral agreement involving Lebanon, the U.S., and Israel, which aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty, though some Lebanese critics argue it does not fully protect national interests.
Dubai Police warns against heating squishy toys in microwave
Dubai Police have issued a warning against a viral social media trend encouraging children to heat slime and squishy toys in microwaves, which has led to injuries in Scotland. The practice involves heating these toys until they expand and release hot vapors, potentially causing burns or explosions. Authorities emphasized the risks of burns, appliance damage, and fire hazards. Parents were advised to monitor children's online activities and prevent them from imitating dangerous trends. This follows reports from a Scottish hospital treating six children injured by the trend over eight months. Additionally, new regulations in the UAE will restrict under-15s from creating or using personal social media accounts starting next year.
European airlines warn of new border rules breakdown during peak travel period
European airlines have raised concerns about the implementation of new Entry-Exit System (EES) border controls, which were introduced in April to automate the processing of non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. The system aims to replace traditional passport stamping with digital registration of personal and biometric data. However, airlines report significant disruptions, including long queues and missed flights, particularly affecting British tourists. Airlines like Ryanair argue the system is unready for peak travel season and have called for a suspension of its rollout. The European Commission acknowledges challenges in deployment across certain airports but claims the impact remains limited overall.
'Keep the passion burning inside you': Gazan singer waiting for exit finds support in France
Mahmoud Mabrouk, a 29-year-old classical Arabic singer from Gaza, has received a one-way ticket to France through a special scholarship program for artists and scientists in war zones. However, his application, along with those of over 50 others, has been indefinitely postponed due to security concerns. The French Foreign Ministry stated that improved security conditions are necessary before Gazans can relocate under the Pause program. Despite these challenges, Mabrouk remains hopeful and plans to pursue his artistic ambitions in France. French officials acknowledged the desire to resume the program but emphasized ongoing logistical and security hurdles. Prominent French artists recently organized a fundraiser to assist Mabrouk in preparing for his potential relocation.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.