Analysis

UAE bets big on Pakistan: Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure drive for Asia influence

Abu Dhabi is making multi-pronged investments in a broad push into Pakistan’s transport and trade sectors.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai

Desert dialogues: Ammar Al Attar’s lens

Building heights and cultural depths: Dubai’s new landmark, artistic reflections and and Sharjah films in India.

By Rebecca Anne Proctor

In Dubai, reporting on culture

China-made flying car makes first test flight in UAE: What to know

The Chinese company is facing competition from a US firm that is currently developing an air taxi service in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates

Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit

Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa

The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems.

Saudi Arabia

Newsletter: Business & Tech

Revolut makes Middle East entry with UAE approval

This week’s newsletter looks at Egypt’s $18 billion Gulf-backed tourism project, Revolut’s entry into the Middle East via the UAE, and a new India-Israel investment pact, alongside fresh moves in the Gulf’s AI race.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

UAE president visits Qatar, bans Israel from Dubai Airshow after Doha strikes

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan threw his country’s support behind Qatar, saying the Israeli strikes on Qatari territory violated international laws.

Qatar

UAE’s new AI K2 Think chases DeepSeek moment in Gulf tech race

The Gulf state has launched K2 Think, an open-source reasoning model designed to speedily and efficiently tackle math and logic problems.

United Arab Emirates

UK's Revolut enters Middle East fintech market with UAE licenses

The Central Bank of the UAE has granted Revolut in-principle approval for stored value facilities and retail payment services licenses.

United Arab Emirates

China calls on BRICS to boost multilateral trade as Iran, UAE eye closer ties

The UAE’s and Egypt’s trade with BRICS members is on the rise, while Iran’s efforts to increase economic ties are complicated by sanctions.

China

Cyprus courts UAE amid Greek pressure on subsea cable: What to know

The project has been beset with delays due to longstanding disagreements between NATO members Greece and Turkey over territory in the Eastern Mediterranean.

United Arab Emirates

Trump aims to crack Gulf's armed drone market with looser export restrictions

Washington's latest reinterpretation of the 35-nation MTCR agreement is expected to open the door for a potential major sale of advanced aerial weaponry to Saudi Arabia.

United States