Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states step up China diplomacy as Trump’s lame-duck session nears Oman and Saudi Arabia are deepening diplomatic outreach to Beijing as the outcome of Tuesday’s US midterm elections introduces fresh uncertainty over Washington’s Iran policy. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Turkey
Culture What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo after retirement from Portugal team? The Portuguese superstar is signed to the Saudi side Al Nassr until 2027, but the Yemen war is impacting the sport in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Dana Awartani revives lost mosaics Also this week: Lebanese dining, a new Arab art prize and ‘Girls of Riyadh.’ By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Democrats’ win: What’s at stake for Gulf business By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse US elections spotlight Gulf tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Saudi Arabia, UAE amp up Africa investments amid growing competition Africa is seeing a major uptick in investments from the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which presents the possibility of 'greater returns' for the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia
Saudi private equity investment peaked at $4B in 2023 amid rising buyouts The kingdom's deep-pocketed sovereign wealth fund was involved in the top three private equity transactions between 2019 and 2023. Saudi Arabia
Culture Saudi Arabia to make debut at Miss Universe pageant The move is a historic first for Saudi Arabia, where women have long faced restrictions under conservative Islamic laws. Saudi Arabia
Houthis warn Saudi Arabia 'would be a target' if it backs US-UK strikes The Houthi warning comes amid increased attacks against vessels in the Red Sea claimed by the Iran-backed group in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Yemen
As it looks East, Saudi Arabia strikes delicate balance between India, Pakistan "Shared strategic interests" with India and Pakistan motivate Saudi Arabia to maintain diplomatic relations with both countries. Saudi Arabia
Saudi tourism blitz accelerates as Riyadh hopes investors buy the hype Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
What's behind Saudi Arabia's decision to host first-ever 'Dragon Ball' theme park The announcement of the park based on the popular Japanese anime show follows the kingdom’s developments in video games and mixed martial arts. Saudi Arabia
UAE eyes Zambia mine as minerals race heats up against Saudi Arabia, China Wealthy Gulf countries are racing against China, Europe and the United States for minerals critical to powering the global green transition. United Arab Emirates
With $40B fund, Saudi Arabia looks to become world leader in AI The fund would make the Gulf state the world’s largest investor in AI and help the kingdom realize its Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy away from oil. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia offers $182M package, other incentives for mining investors The kingdom is prioritizing the lucrative sector as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt among world's top arms importers: SIPRI Concerns about Iran drove Gulf states’ weapons imports, while imports by Morocco and Algeria fell in the past four years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Saudi Arabia