AL-Monitor

This week’s City Pulse newsletters capture creativity, cuisine, and cutting-edge culture. In Doha, the National Museum showcases automotive icons, Media Majlis explores meme culture, and Rouda Al Malki unveils elegant designs. Riyadh spotlights new media innovation at Diriyah Art Futures, crowns esports champions, and welcomes a Greek seafood gem on the Red Sea. In the UAE, Tunisian artist Bechir Boussandel and Emirati talent Maitha Abdalla shine, while September brings the return of Dubai Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Cesme and Alacati offer coastal escapes filled with climate reflections, farm-to-table dining, and Istanbul’s season of jazz, nostalgia, and the piercing clarity of the Istanbul Photo Awards. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for your weekly cultural roundup from Riyadh, Doha, Dubai, and Istanbul: https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX #CityPulse #DohaCulture #DiriyahArtFutures #EsportsWorldCup #DubaiFashionWeek #MaithaAbdalla #BechirBoussandel #IstanbulPhotoAwards #Cesme #Alacati #MiddleEastArt #GulfCreatives #AlMonitor

BREAKING: UK, France, Germany trigger snapback sanctions on Iran Britain, France and Germany have begun the process to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran, notifying the UN Security Council on Thursday that the Islamic Republic is in “significant” breach of the 2015 nuclear deal. The letter obtained by Al-Monitor's Elizabeth Hagedorn reads that “based on clear factual evidence, the E3 believe Iran to be in significant non-performance of its commitments under the JCPOA, and hereby invoke the process known as the 'snapback' mechanism.” https://lnkd.in/evhF3ed7

This week’s City Pulse newsletters serve up culture, cuisine, and big visions. From Urla’s vineyards and Michelin plates to Riyadh’s ambitious Rise Tower set to become the world’s tallest skyscraper, stories of tradition and transformation take center stage. Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission launches global cultural programs, while date festivals and real estate data reveal the kingdom’s changing landscape. In Dubai and Sharjah, the spotlight falls on Emirati artist Afra Al Dhaheri at Sharjah Art Foundation, a group exhibition on Middle Eastern women, a new Greek dining hotspot, and the elegance of Swan Lake at Dubai Opera. Meanwhile, family workshops, theater mysteries, and gaming innovation add extra spark to the week. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for your weekly cultural roundup from Riyadh, Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul: https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX Written and curated by Nazlan Ertan, Rebecca Anne Proctor, & Reve Chaaban #CityPulse #SaudiVisualArts #RiseTower #SharjahArtFoundation #DubaiOpera #AfraAlDhaheri #MiddleEastArt #SaudiCulture #DohaEvents #IstanbulCulture #GulfCreatives #AlMonitor

This week’s City Pulse newsletters celebrate heritage, design, and summer escapes across cultures and coastlines. In Doha, explore the architectural marvels of the Museum of Islamic Art, savor the date harvest at Heenat Salma Farm, and join workshops blending tradition and creativity. In the UAE, the Louvre Abu Dhabi unveils newly acquired masterpieces, prepares an exhibition on the Mamluk dynasty, and lights up Dubai with Emirati art. Istanbul trades its urban beat for Bodrum’s timeless mix of ruins and revelry, while Saudi Arabia spotlights the second edition of the AlUla Design Residency, film programs at Hayy Jameel, and a bold presence at Frieze Seoul 2025. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for your weekly cultural highlights from Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, Istanbul, and beyond: https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX #CityPulse #MIAQatar #LouvreAbuDhabi #DubaiArtScene #Bodrum #AlUlaDesignResidency #SaudiCulture #MiddleEastArt #GulfCreatives #AlMonitor

Israel's Vietnam: As Netanyahu pushes Gaza City takeover, military warns of endless war The plan to extend Israeli control beyond the 75% of Gaza it now holds ignores warnings by military chief Eyal Zamir and the public's desire to end the war, Ben Caspit writes. https://lnkd.in/e_Jmm2fB

This week’s City Pulse newsletters span art, architecture, cuisine, and competition on a global stage. In Saudi Arabia, the first traveling exhibition of Saudi contemporary art debuts at the National Museum of China, alongside Misk Art Institute’s summer show, a new Persian dining spot, Riyadh’s electronic music festival, and the Esports World Cup finals. Turkish talent shines abroad, from art installations in New York and London to culinary creations bridging Istanbul and Soho. In Doha, summer stays vibrant with workshops by Wadha Al Kuwari, interactive family fun, and rare medical manuscripts at Museum of Islamic Art. Meanwhile, Louvre Abu Dhabi reveals its Art Here and Richard Mille Art Prize shortlist, the 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture highlights six Middle Eastern projects, and Dubai welcomes a new high-end workspace and a group show of contemporary Middle Eastern art. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for your weekly cultural brief from Riyadh, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, and beyond: https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX #CityPulse #SaudiArt #MiskArtInstitute #NationalMuseumOfChina #TurkishArtists #DohaCulture #MIAQatar #LouvreAbuDhabi #MiddleEastCulture #AlMonitor #LinkedInCulture

NEW: Turkey’s inflation falls to four-year low of 33.5%: What to know Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said on X that annual inflation had fallen to its lowest level in 44 months. https://lnkd.in/eF2fUMrP

This week’s City Pulse newsletters map a vibrant mix of cultural momentum, artistic expression, and inclusive initiatives across Riyadh, Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul. In Saudi Arabia, the launch of the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize kicks off one of the Arab world’s most prestigious grants, while Saudi artists prepare for the first-ever Bukhara Biennial and the Kingdom’s presence builds at Expo 2025 Osaka. In the UAE, Leila Heller Gallery showcases the surreal works of Naeemeh Kazemi, and the UAE Pavilion gears up for a dynamic slate of events in Osaka. Meanwhile, Qatar spotlights inclusion with Purple Saturday and keeps summer fresh with creative workshops and the beloved Souq Waqif Dates Festival. In Istanbul, artists respond to growing societal unease, capturing protest and perseverance in striking new works. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for your weekly cultural round-up from Riyadh, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, and beyond: https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX #CityPulse #IthraArtPrize #SaudiArtists #OsakaExpo2025 #NaeemehKazemi #PurpleSaturday #UAEatExpo #MiddleEastArt #AlMonitor #LinkedInCulture

This week’s City Pulse newsletters travel from London to the Gulf, tracing stories of culture, creativity, and cool escapes. In Scotland, Art Jameel brings Palestinian embroidery to the V&A Dundee, while Saudi talents Alia Ahmad and Osama Yahiya Al-Jabarti shine in London’s art and dining scenes. Back in the Gulf, Qatar beats the heat with stargazing, kayaking, and hands-on creative workshops for families. In the UAE, we spotlight bold exhibitions on womanhood, the return of Sharjah’s immersive Rain Room, film history deep dives at Cinema Akil, and a high-energy view into Jennifer Lopez’s tour in Abu Dhabi. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for weekly cultural stories from London, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, and beyond: https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX #CityPulse #PalestinianEmbroidery #SaudiArtists #LondonArtScene #SharjahArt #MiddleEastCulture #GulfCreatives #JenniferLopez #AbuDhabiEvents #AlMonitor

This week’s City Pulse newsletters span capitals and coastlines, offering cultural gems and summer escapes. In Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum is set to open its doors by year’s end, marking a major moment in the UAE’s cultural evolution, while abstract works by Fatima Haider and Sri Lankan photography take center stage. Istanbul steps aside as we explore Ankara’s rich mix of sculpture gardens, literary heritage, and under-the-radar museums. In the UK, an exhibition brings together Saudi artist Sarah Brahim and Iranian icon Shirin Neshat, while Riyadh serves up Hejazi-Mediterranean fusion and festival vibes from Hail to Tabuk. Meanwhile, Doha invites you to slow down; between nostalgia-soaked galleries, Msheireb’s cool corridors, and Rasha Rizk’s childhood melodies. 📩 Subscribe to City Pulse for weekly cultural updates from Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Istanbul : https://lnkd.in/dMtWRqnX Created by Nazlan Ertan, Rebecca Anne Proctor and Reve Chaaban #CityPulse #ZayedNationalMuseum #AbuDhabiCulture #IstanbulVsAnkara #SarahBrahim #ShirinNeshat #SaudiCulture #MiddleEastArt #FatimaHaider #AlMonitor #LinkedInCulture #XCulture