Saudi crown prince heads to France as ties deepen: What to expect Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will start a visit to Paris this weekend, his fourth to France since his appointment in 2017. Saudi Arabia
Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with Iran. Oman
Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know A senior Iranian commander said Saudi Arabia will be unable to the defeat the Yemeni group as the conflict intensifies. Yemen
UAE halts all trade ties with Iran after missile attack The incident follows the UAE blaming Iran for strikes on ADNOC vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. United Arab Emirates
As Saudi Arabia rallies against Yemen's Houthis, US stays focused on Iran By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Italy's FM in Saudi Arabia to talk energy partnerships, investments as ties grow The far-right government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has worked to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia projects $21 billion deficit as economy diversifies from oil The kingdom was among the world’s fastest-growing economies last year with almost 9% GDP growth after a petrodollar boom amid a global rise in energy prices due to inflation and the Ukraine war. Saudi Arabia
Pakistan, Gulf Cooperation Council sign 'preliminary' free trade agreement When the final trade deal comes into effect, it will likely be the GCC's first since 2009. Legacy: Gulf
Blinken defends Iran prisoner swap at meeting with Gulf counterparts The US secretary of state also touted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, seen as competition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, ahead of the discussion with Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Legacy: Gulf
UAE trade offensive continues, this time with New Zealand deal The UAE is looking to secure its sixth trade agreement of the year as it increases its non-oil trade globally, with intentions to reach $1.09 billion by 2031. United Arab Emirates
Analysis With Ukraine summit, Saudi Arabia boasts mediator role, courts West One expert believes that the talks will also take Western pressure off the kingdom for its close alignment with Russia. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Gulf investment in UK property expected to reach $3.2 B in 2024 Middle Eastern investors are capitalising on lower property valuations and those investors are likely to refinance when interest rates start falling, the Islamic bank said. Legacy: Gulf
UK investment minister: GCC trade deal would develop AI, fintech sectors In 2022, trade between the UK and GCC countries amounted to 33.1 billion pounds ($42.6 million). Legacy: Gulf
Who is Sultan Al Mansouri, Qatar’s first UAE ambassador in 6 years? A career diplomat who previously served as Qatar’s ambassador to Austria in 2019 and as the ambassador to China in 2014, Mansouri brings a negotiating and economic skillset to the position. Qatar
Saudi Public Investment Fund reports $11 billion loss for 2022 Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund reports its assets have risen from $676 billion to about $778 billion in 2022 in a rare gesture of transparency for the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
In Moscow, Russia's Lavrov welcomes Gulf states' rapprochement with Iran Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia and GCC countries will expand their cooperation together in areas of economic trade, defense, security, energy and politics. Legacy: Gulf
Kuwait rejects Iran's drilling plans in disputed gas field in Gulf Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding dispute with Iran over the Durra gas field. The recent disagreement follows improvement in Iran's relations with both countries. Legacy: Gulf
