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Manal Albarakati
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Riyadh’s sense of calm shifts after missile alerts
A conflict seen as a distant threat by most residents of the Saudi capital began to feel much closer last week.
Faisal Al Nasser/Reuters
Saudi Arabia touts ‘capabilities’ in warning to Iran
While the Gulf’s defense-first policy stands, Riyadh condemned Iran’s attacks on energy facilities, ports, airports, and cities.
Mohammed Benmansour/Reuters
Eid shoppers flock to malls as shipping disrupted
Iran’s attacks have hit shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for goods entering the Gulf.
Crowds of shoppers at Red Sea Mall in Jeddah. Manal Albarakati/Semafor.
Eid shoppers hit malls as Gulf e-commerce stalls
Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted shipments to most Gulf markets.
Crowds of shoppers at Red Sea Mall in Jeddah. Manal Albarakati/Semafor.
Major Gulf events canceled over Iran war
Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are the most high-profile casualties so far.
Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters
Aramco to face investor scrutiny over its ability to deliver crude
The world’s biggest oil exporter reports earnings on Tuesday as doubts grow over whether Gulf crude can reach global markets.
Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters
Airline disruptions hit Saudi as conflict enters second week
At Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, employees told Semafor that most flights were cancelled last night.
UAE, Saudi leaders attempt to maintain appearance of daily life amid Iran strikes
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was seen walking through Dubai Mall.
How Gulf expats are reacting to the war on Iran
The spectrum of sentiment has been wide in the Gulf over the past couple of days, from quiet confidence to outright panic.
Riyadh becomes transit hub for worried rich fleeing Gulf
Rich families and senior executives are being ferried to Saudi Arabia as safety concerns push those that can to escape for safety.
Air traffic chaos hits the Gulf, leaving thousands stranded
Iranian strikes across the region forced some of the world’s biggest carriers to cancel hundreds of flights.
Etihad earnings highlight success of Abu Dhabi’s aviation push
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways capped a fourth straight year of profitability with record earnings in 2025, as strong passenger demand and fleet growth lifted performance.
Riyadh tiptoes toward looser Ramadan restrictions
A small but growing number of cafes and restaurants are starting to serve food during the Muslim month of fasting, in the latest sign of social change.
Gulf expands data connectivity with new subsea cable system
A 45,000-km 2Africa cable thats links 33 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East has been connected to UAE telecom giant e&’s data center.
Gulf states build on UAE’s Mars breakthrough
The Gulf’s space ambitions are expanding five years after the UAE became the first Arab nation to establish a scientific presence on Mars.
Luxury travel tests wealthy spenders’ upper limits
Aman Group has opened bookings for its first yacht, where a spot in one of the 47 suites costs a minimum of $7,700 per day.
Art Basel slows the tempo in Doha debut
A museum-like format in Doha ditched the sales-frenzy of other art festivals.
Dubai marks 10 years of minister of state for happiness
The introduction of the office was part of a broader strategy to create a “young and flexible” government.