Hebron siege displaces thousands as Israeli forces kill several Palestinians in Gaza
Eight Palestinians were killed across the north, central areas and the southern city of Khan Younis. Four people were killed...
Geostrategy
Israeli attacks kill 7 Palestinians in Gaza as France and Qatar call for two-state solution
Gaza's health ministry said Israeli attacks had killed 1,534 Palestinians and wounded 5,486 since the ceasefire began. Rescue teams had...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb
Washington, United States -- The US defense secretary reiterated Sunday that the United States hopes for a diplomatic solution to...
- US and Iranian diplomats opened indirect talks Saturday in Oman in an effort to resolve Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
- Trump said Wednesday that military action was "absolutely" possible -- in conjunction with Israel -- if the talks in Oman failed.
Geostrategy
US-funded Arabic network ends broadcasts after Trump cuts
The network went on air in 2004, when US officials were complaining about coverage of the Iraq war from Qatar-backed...
- But it has faced stiff competition from Al-Jazeera as well as Al-Arabiya, which is funded by Saudi Arabia, and more recently UAE-backed Sky News Arabia.
- The Trump administration, in part of a sweeping cost-cutting drive led by Elon Musk, in March said it was ceasing all financial transfers for US government-supported media.
‘Diriyah Tan’ unveiled to celebrate Saudi tourism hub’s rich heritage
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Diriyah Company has collaborated with Pantone to produce "Diriyah Tan," a color that embodies the essence...
Business
Tesla’s first Saudi showroom opens
The opening in Riyadh comes with Tesla sales dropping.
- Saudi Arabia is a key regional ally of Washington, and US President Donald Trump forged close ties during his first term with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- However, demand for EVs is relatively low in Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter which enjoys bargain-basement fuel prices, with a liter costing just $0.62.
Business
Mubadala Energy enters US energy market
Acquires a 24.1% interest in US firm Kimmeridge’s SoTex
- Through SoTex, Kimmeridge is building America’s first integrated gas independent to deliver low-cost natural gas from wellhead to water.
- The deal bolsters Mubadala Energy's growth plans to invest across the gas value chain in key energy hubs around the world.
Economy
Iraq signs deal with US firm to produce 24,000 MW of electricity
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani oversaw "the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding as part of a strategic cooperation framework...
- The signing comes at the conclusion of a visit to Iraq by a high-level US delegation comprising of representatives from 60 private firms.
- Despite sitting on large reserves of petrol and natural gas, decades of conflict and instability have ravaged Iraq's energy infrastructure.
Arts & Culture
Qatar’s ‘Hit Show’ wins $12 million Dubai World Cup
Dubai, UAE --Â Qatar's 'Hit Show' triumphed in the 2025 Dubai World Cup's main event at Meydan, the pinnacle of...
- Hit Show, owned by Wathnan Racing, ridden by Florent Geroux, prevailed over eight top competitors in 2:03:50 minutes, earning $6.96m with a 0.64-length victory.
- The American horse Mixto, owned by Calumet Farm, came in second place, ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori and trained by Doug O'Neill, and received a cash prize of $2.4m.
Geostrategy
Russia to hold talks with US in Riyadh Monday: Kremlin
Donald Trump spoke to both Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky this week and the US is also due...
- "From the Russian side, they will be attended by Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senate's committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, advisor to the head of FSB.
- Ushakov said he had confirmed this after talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Both agreed to send "expert groups" for the talks, he added.
Business
Saudi table egg production crosses 8 billion, achieves 100% self-sufficiency
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's poultry sector has reached complete self-sufficiency in table egg production, with output surpassing 8...
- Saudi agriculture ministry said the kingdom's egg production not only meets domestic demand but also generates a surplus, reinforcing national food security.
- The ministry also emphasized its commitment to enhancing food quality, safety, and availability across local markets.
Arts & Culture
West Bank eviction film ‘No Other Land’ wins best documentary Oscar
Jerusalem --Â No Other Land, a documentary about Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, has won the best documentary award...
- Shot in Masafer Yatta near the West Bank city of Hebron, the documentary follows a young Palestinian struggling with forced displacement.
- After a long legal battle with Palestinian communities, an Israeli supreme court ruling in 2022 paved the way for the eviction of the area's more than 1,000 residents.
Hebron siege displaces thousands as Israeli forces kill several Palestinians in Gaza
Eight Palestinians were killed across the north, central areas and the southern city of Khan Younis. Four people were killed...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph MelisÂ
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets are characterized by rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and a...
Interview
Saudi knowledge economy accelerates as Vision 2030 targets move within reach
The government has successfully implemented more than 900 reforms, including restructuring legal and labor frameworks, establishing new public authorities, and...
Economy
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
Interview
Most Read
Interview
GCC should focus on tech-enabled authentic, sustainable hospitality
AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have...
- Sustainable travel is a major opportunity for the Middle East and the GCC. Authenticity, culture, and history should be central.
- Making travel more affordable and accessible will be equally important for long-term growth.
Economy
Reason for the GCC’s prosperity is that it is willing to take risks: Tadeu Baldani Caravieri
The Gulf economies face disruptions but embrace risk to grow, says Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, founder of Prototypes for Humanity, on...
- The region’s prosperity is linked to its willingness to experiment and take calculated risks, with cities like Dubai leading in financial innovation, Caravieri tells TRENDS
- Innovation relies on strong local institutions, including government policies, and the ability to produce scalable solutions, with capital as a critical enabler, he adds
Business
GCC capital market reforms spawn IPO, foreign investment wave
For a region long shaped by sovereign balance sheets and state-owned champions, the Gulf is quietly rewiring its financial plumbing,...
- Overall, the GCC IPO market raised $13.2 billion across 53 listings in 2024.
- The UAE led the charge. Federal decree changes and a flurry of free-zone and mainland measures now allow 100 percent foreign ownership in many sectors.

