Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Large UAE delegation set to arrive in Lebanon in major investment push A large Emirati delegation of around 70 business leaders and government officials is heading to Beirut, in the latest sign of thaw between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks Pakistan’s Munir arrives in Tehran; major UAE economic delegation to visit Beirut; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis UAE-Iran trade relationship becomes key test of Trump’s wartime strategy The Gulf state suspended trade with Iran after new attacks in August. Experts point to risks for both sides as the Trump administration seeks to squeeze Tehran economically. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns Gulf states against assisting US By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
UAE’s DP World names new leadership after CEO leaves over alleged Epstein ties The Dubai emirate announced the appointments of Yuvraj Narayan as group CEO and Essa Kazim as the new chairman of the board, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Gazan artist Mohammed al-Hawajri debuts new Sharjah exhibition Also this week: desert Ramadan feasts, political art in Dubai and Sharjah light shows By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Dubai airport tops global ranking again with 95.2 million passengers DXB has been the world’s busiest airport since 2014 and eyes nearly 100 million passengers in 2026. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic Algeria has begun canceling its air services agreement with the UAE amid heightened tensions over the Gulf country’s foreign policy in the region. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share The growth represents a sizable jump from recent years, when local AI companies captured just a sliver of dealmaking, and Magnitt now predicts funding for MENA’s AI startups will easily surpass $1 billion in 2026. United Arab Emirates
MBZ hosts Sisi as Saudi Arabia and UAE jockey for regional influence Economic ties between Egypt and the UAE are strengthening thanks to large Emirati investments in the North African country. Egypt
Uber snaps up Getir in Turkey as Mubadala exits battered delivery bet For Uber, the $335 million deal marks a fresh bet on a populous growth market and comes at quite the discount — as recently as 2022, Getir was valued at nearly $12 billion. Turkey
Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets After hitting record highs in 2025, Bitcoin’s sell-off is roiling global markets and making waves in the UAE. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Ahaad Alamoudi’s ‘Sunkissed’ opens in Sharjah Also this week: Greek flavors at La Mer, Jorge Tacla in Sharjah and Dubai Fashion Week By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
US says Sudan warring parties back withdrawal plan as donors pledge $700M in aid State Department senior adviser Massad Boulos announced Tuesday that a "comprehensive peace plan" has been approved by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, though it still needs to be approved by Sudan's warring parties. Sudan
On eve of talks, UAE's Gargash throws weight behind Iran-US deal Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, spoke at a panel discussion at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where he discussed the latest developments in Gaza, Iran, Sudan and Yemen. United Arab Emirates
How US-India trade deal could impact Mideast energy, trade routes The United States and India struck a trade agreement on Monday that eases months of tension between the two countries and could influence Gulf oil flows and economic integration. Saudi Arabia