Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s relentless push for meeting with UAE’s MBZ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed to persuade the Emiratis to receive him a month before Israel’s elections, but like other Arab capitals, Abu Dhabi is also in contact with his political rivals. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
MBS hosts Sheikh Mansour as Saudi-UAE ties thaw: What to know The renewed outreach comes as Saudi Arabia faces mounting attacks from the Iran-backed Houthis. United Arab Emirates
UAE’s Sheikh Mansour to visit Saudi Arabia amid strained ties The two Gulf countries have been at odds over Yemen, where Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while the UAE has supported the separatist Southern Transitional Council. Saudi Arabia
Ex-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to sue Netanyahu over Oct. 7 accusations: What to know Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of withholding information in the hours before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, but the former security chief rejected the claim, saying he intends to file a defamation suit. Israel
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Christie’s brings first fine art auction to Abu Dhabi By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Gulf The Gulf's UN agenda By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
China ramps up COVID-19 diplomacy in Mideast As the Trump administration tries to link the coronavirus to a Chinese laboratory, Beijing is using the pandemic to strengthen ties in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan's cold war with Saudi Arabia and UAE Turkey's patience with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is running low, sources tell Al-Monitor. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia eases anti-virus measures Saudi Arabia allowed businesses to reopen today, but mosques, schools and other places remain closed. Saudi Arabia
Can anyone stop Netanyahu’s annexation plans? A formidable array of figures is working in public and behind the scenes to block Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to annex West Bank lands. Saudi Arabia
Dubai malls open, but residents reluctant to shop The government of Dubai has eased some pandemic restrictions for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. United Arab Emirates
Dubai relaxes its coronavirus lockdown for Ramadan Dubai will relax its strict coronavirus lockdown to allow movement without permission for much of the day during the Muslim holy month. United Arab Emirates
Dubai Expo 2020 likely to be postponed until October 2021 COVID-19 has put on hold the highly anticipated Dubai Expo 2020; it still is to take place, but most likely not until a year later than planned. United Arab Emirates
New joint UAE airline venture receives permission to fly amid coronavirus downturn Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, an independent partnership between Air Arabia and Etihad, received its air operating license on April 23. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Trump calls on Qatar to work toward resolving Gulf dispute President Donald Trump has asked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to take steps to resolve the ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, which blockaded Qatar in 2017. Legacy: Gulf
Repatriation flights take stranded workers home to Pakistan from UAE The first flight of 20 special flights to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in the United Arab Emirates left Dubai on Saturday. United Arab Emirates
UAE exempts coronavirus patients, doctors from Ramadan fast Religious authorities in the United Arab Emirates have said patients suffering from COVID-19 and doctors treating them are exempt from fasting for Ramadan. United Arab Emirates
For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future. Legacy: Gulf