Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil falls to prewar levels as Hormuz reopens Oil prices retreat as Gulf shipping stabilizes, Qatar moves to restore LNG output, and regional governments roll out new investment and residency incentives. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Interview Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says French investors are reallocating capital toward strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and technology rather than pulling out of the region altogether. Axel Baroux France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf defense giants head to Europe As Gulf states recalibrate after months of conflict with Iran, defense priorities are shifting from emergency procurement to long-term industrial partnerships. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Saudi Aramco's VC arm sees boom in emerging technologies, retail Anas Alqahtani, CEO of Wa'ed Ventures, expects strong growth in Saudi Arabia’s emerging technology and retail sectors over the coming years. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi contemporary art lands at Art Basel By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Hong Kong exchange expands Gulf presence with new Dubai commodities arm The emirate has positioned itself as a global commodities trading hub, with the UAE ranking second globally after the US in last year’s Commodity Trade Index. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia grants citizenship to Uber co-founder, Red Sea Global CEO Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick and Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano have been granted Saudi citizenship. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai From desert to stage: Perform Sharjah returns Also this week: Emirati minimalism, Tunisian calligraphy and Abu Dhabi's cultural ascent. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Filwa Nazer explores the boundaries between body and space Also this week: Riyadh’s homegrown brunch spot, Arabic calligraphy and Italian design. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Dar Global, Trump eye Saudi megaprojects Gulf economies saw major moves this week, from new Trump-linked real estate ventures to multibillion-dollar logistics, energy, and consumer investments. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi investment minister visits Morocco, Senegal on Africa trade drive Saudi Arabia has pledged more than $41 billion in investment in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade. Saudi Arabia
Interview Dar Global hints at Trump real estate deals in Saudi Arabia’s gigaprojects The Dubai-headquartered real estate company has worked with the Trump Organization on luxury property developments across the Gulf. Ziad El Chaar Chief Executive Officer, Dar Global
World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Saudi, Chinese companies to develop giant aluminum industrial hub in Riyadh The new industrial base is set to cover 1.5 million square meters and will be developed in two phases, with the first expected to be completed in 30 months and create more than 1,800 jobs. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Traveling show reimagines Saudi museums Also this week: Wolfgang Puck in Riyadh, Saudi artists in Paris and new cultural funds. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
What’s next for Saudi Arabia’s budget balancing act as deficit doubles? The Gulf state now expects a deficit of $65.3 billion in 2025 — more than double the initial forecast — as the kingdom continues heavy spending amid weak oil prices. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Gulf Trump family expands Gulf footprint The Trump family is deepening its business and investment ties across the Gulf through headline-grabbing real estate and tech deals. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance