How did FIFA become part of Trump’s Gaza reconstruction effort? FIFA signed a deal on Thursday that marks the global soccer association's most significant postwar intervention in the Middle East yet. Palestine
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Inside Abu Dhabi’s major Picasso exhibition Also this week: upscale izakaya bites, language and myth at Alserkal and Ramadan nights at Expo City By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Airlines cancel flights amid fears of US military action in Iran: What to know Arrivals at Tehran's airport this week mainly indicated Iranian and Middle Eastern airlines were flying to the Persian country amid heightened tensions with Washington. Iran
Unfazed by Saudi pressure, UAE unveils solar investment in Somaliland The UAE also has other significant investments in Somaliland, including around $442 million in funding from logistics company DP World to modernize the port of Berbera. 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
UAE’s MBZ reportedly cancels Japan visit amid US-Iran standoff: What to know While tensions remain high between the US and Iran, both sides are reportedly moving toward renewed nuclear talks. United Arab Emirates