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
Delta to launch first direct US-Saudi flight as business ties deepen Beginning in October 2026, Delta will fly from its Atlanta hub to the Saudi capital three times a week on an Airbus A350-900 — a route that will span more than 7,000 miles. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh BIENALSUR brings global art to Diriyah Also this week: Peruvian flavors, Islamic artistry and Saudi light art. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Saudi Arabia diversifies with new China naval drills, but military remains Western-centric Expanding Saudi-Chinese defense cooperation mirrors the broader deepening of Saudi-Chinese diplomatic and economic relations. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Interview Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability The London-based lender is seeing an increase in demand from Gulf investors in UK real estate as US markets have become less predictable. Khaled Alanani Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East
Newsletter: China-Middle East China's inroads in Saudi defense industry Saudi Arabia and China kicked off their third bilateral naval drill this week, a move that demonstrates Beijing’s growing role not only as an economic partner, but as a defense one as well for Riyadh. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Singapore's DBS Group, Banque Saudi Fransi ink Asia-Gulf trade deal Trade between Southeast Asia and the GCC reached about $130.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by another $50 billion by 2027, according to the Singaporean lender. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Vivienne Westwood debuts at Riyadh Fashion Week Also this week: Red Sea luxury, desert art, Expo countdown and Saudi wellness. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Hong Kong exchange expands Gulf presence with new Dubai commodities arm The emirate has positioned itself as a global commodities trading hub, with the UAE ranking second globally after the US in last year’s Commodity Trade Index. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia grants citizenship to Uber co-founder, Red Sea Global CEO Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick and Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano have been granted Saudi citizenship. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai From desert to stage: Perform Sharjah returns Also this week: Emirati minimalism, Tunisian calligraphy and Abu Dhabi's cultural ascent. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Filwa Nazer explores the boundaries between body and space Also this week: Riyadh’s homegrown brunch spot, Arabic calligraphy and Italian design. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Dar Global, Trump eye Saudi megaprojects Gulf economies saw major moves this week, from new Trump-linked real estate ventures to multibillion-dollar logistics, energy, and consumer investments. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech