On secret UAE visit, Netanyahu asked MBZ to deny pre-Oct. 7 warnings During his trip to Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Mohamed bin Zayed to deny reports that he had been warned ahead of the Oct. 7 attack that Hamas was preparing a major assault. Israel
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Christie’s brings first fine art auction to Abu Dhabi Also this week: Noren’s Japanese cooking, Sotheby’s new gallery and Dubai Film Festival’s comeback By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Gulf The Gulf's UN agenda The Gulf states are seeking security and diplomatic gains as the Iran war reshapes the region. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf tech ambitions face Trump-Xi test Gulf tech powers have plenty at stake as Xi and Trump discuss US-China AI competition. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing UAE's Gargash expects 'prolonged' war By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Culture Saudi, UAE theaters to screen Barbie this week, despite earlier push to delay The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar have changed the release date of the record grossing film for a second time to Aug. 10, and the film will open in Saudi Arabia Aug. 9. United Arab Emirates
UAE’s ADNOC buys stake in Azerbaijan gas field The move follows a wind and solar energy deal between an Emirati firm and Azerbaijan. Legacy: Gulf
Arab moviegoers wait to see 'Barbie' as UAE, Saudi screenings loom The summer box office hit is maintaining its delayed premier date of Aug. 31 in the UAE, Al-Monitor confirmed with Vox Cinemas. United Arab Emirates
Iran president Raisi invites UAE's MBZ to visit Tehran The invite was extended on the same day that Iran conducted a naval drill on Abu Musa Island, which is disputed with the UAE. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia, UAE lead Forbes’ 2023 Arab family business ranking Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominated the list, with 33 and 29 of the top 100 spots respectively, Egypt’s Mansour Group sat in first place, with the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group in second and Saudi Arabia’s only female-led company, Olayan Financing Company, at third. Saudi Arabia
Gulf investment in UK property expected to reach $3.2 B in 2024 Middle Eastern investors are capitalising on lower property valuations and those investors are likely to refinance when interest rates start falling, the Islamic bank said. Legacy: Gulf
Japan’s Nomura subsidiary receives crypto license in UAE The crypto sector is booming in the United Arab Emirates thanks to clear regulations on virtual assets. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis UAE rice ban after major exporter India spikes global supply fears The UAE was the world's 16th-largest importer of rice in 2021 and the majority of it came from India. By Salim A. Essaid
China, UAE overtake US companies at Turkey’s IDEF 23 weapons fair During the 15th edition of the IDEF in 2021, the global fair saw more than a thousand companies from 53 countries attend and had more than 94 signing ceremonies take place. Turkey
Bahraini cryptocurrency firm Rain to operate in UAE Cryptocurrency is growing in both the UAE and Bahrain amid regulatory challenges and market downturn. Legacy: Gulf
Who is Sultan Al Mansouri, Qatar’s first UAE ambassador in 6 years? A career diplomat who previously served as Qatar’s ambassador to Austria in 2019 and as the ambassador to China in 2014, Mansouri brings a negotiating and economic skillset to the position. Qatar
EU commission sees Tunisia's migration deal as 'blueprint' for region On July 16, the bloc agreed to spend 100 million euros on Tunisia to combat human trafficking and illegal crossings of the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia