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
Analysis Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears From 100 million metro riders in Riyadh to a new Oman-UAE railway, Gulf states are pouring money into train transport — but plans for a regional rail network are still taking shape. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Amid Trump tariffs, UAE, Singapore to form trade group of small nations The new group, the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), is expected to include around 10 countries, with the UAE, Singapore, and New Zealand being founding members. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai From Tunis to Dubai: Bechir Boussandel’s poignant glass works Emirati cuisine, contemporary art and global runways. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Somalia, UAE hold talks as tensions simmer over Puntland, Somaliland The visit occurred on the same day that Somalia's president met with Sudan’s intelligence chief. United Arab Emirates
Egypt secures $220M from domestic, Gulf, Chinese investors for solar project Foreign investment from three countries comes at a pivotal time in Egypt’s recovery from its worst financial crisis in over six decades. Egypt
Abu Dhabi’s Lunate buys stake in UK hedge fund, launches $2B investment arm With $1.7 trillion in sovereign wealth, Abu Dhabi has long sought to establish itself as a global financial hub. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia escalates Arabic AI race with new state-backed chatbot The app is available only in Saudi Arabia, but the company plans to expand across the region and eventually globally. Saudi Arabia
UAE president makes first-ever visit to Angola as part of Africa push The UAE president’s visit to Angola, his first, marks a major step in the already strong relations between the two nations. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Middle East demand for US debt soars to $400B in turbulent year The first half of 2025 saw regional investors boost holdings of US Treasuries to record levels, led by the UAE, Israel and Kuwait, as markets digested turbulence from President Trump's trade agenda. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
China, UAE are transforming African economies, but on whose terms? China and the UAE are racing to get ahead in Africa’s economic future, each using a different playbook. United Arab Emirates
Qatari royal expands Africa push with $12B in Botswana after $39B in DRC, Zambia A Qatari delegation began a tour of 10 African countries on Aug. 13 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to explore investment opportunities. Qatar
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Knots, circles and tension at Sharjah Art From Aegean bites to expansive views on identity. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture