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Semafor Gulf

Kuwait plans $164B regional investment targeting Saudi

The decision is a boon for Saudi Arabia, which aims to attract $100 billion in annual foreign direct investment by 2030.
Kuwait City Arial ViewShahbaz Hussain’s Photos/Gettyimages

Dubai marriage program spurs wedding surge

The program offers marriage planning, modern wedding venues, and post-wedding counseling.
Mass wedding for 148 grooms in Dubai.Mass wedding for 148 grooms in Dubai. Courtesy of Government of Dubai Media Office.

China, Kuwait build joint ammunition factory

Despite growing defense and trade ties with China — a trend seen across the Gulf — the US remains the Kuwait’s top military partner.
President Xi Jinping and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 2023. President Xi Jinping and Kuwait’s emir. Courtesy of China’s embassy in the US.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals are shifting

The goal of Vision 2030 is building a viable post-oil economy and advancing social development, particularly for women.
A rendering of The Line. Courtesy of NEOM.

Dubai launches virtual ‘Emirati Family’

A recent study ranked Dubai among the top five cities globally for AI adoption, ahead of San Francisco.
First member of AI-generated Emirati “virtual family.” @DXBMediaOffice/X

Kuwait revokes more than 100 fraudulent citizenships

The move followed the discovery of a decades-long fraud involving a Syrian man who forged documents and claimed dozens of individuals as his children.
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahGonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

UAE influencers to require government permit

Saudi Arabia already mandates a $4,000 fee for a three-year influencer license.

Qatar boosts power generation in Syria with Azeri gas

It’s the third initiative by Doha to address Syria’s crippling 20-hour daily power shortages.

Abu Dhabi’s BlueFive in talks to buy Four Seasons Beijing as Gulf investment in China grows

The firm is said to be considering buying the hotel and adjacent properties for $500 million.

Dubai Airport records busiest-ever first half

The increase puts the airport on track to reach its target of 96 million passengers this year.

Dubai cracks down on overcrowded apartments

Previous deadly blazes have involved partitioned units used by low-wage foreign workers.

Why the Saudi-led plan for Palestine offers Israel a way out

Advancing a two-state solution serves American, Arab, and long-term Israeli interests.

Saudi’s $320 billion pension fund plans management overhaul

Hassana has chosen an interim CEO amid an exodus of senior executives, and the fund is expected to revamp its top team.

Abu Dhabi company plans data centers in space

Madari Space is planning facilities that would operate in low Earth orbit and provide compute for AI models processing data generated in space.

Netflix, Shahid launch Middle East streaming bundle

Shahid, which is majority-owned by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, leads the Middle East’s $1 billion streaming market.

UAE firm leads project to map Africa

The project aims to map 54 countries which suffer from data gaps that the companies say hinder infrastructure development, investment, and planning.

ADNOC’s $14B deal faces EU scrutiny

Regulators said the probe stemmed from concerns that state support for ADNOC could distort competition in the bloc’s market.

Qatar threatens to halt LNG exports over EU regulations

Qatar threatened to halt LNG exports to the EU if it moves ahead with new legislation requiring companies to address human rights and environmental risks in their supply chains.