Monday, 28 July – Kuwait’s government was shaken by the resignation of Finance Minister Noura AlFassam, who spearheaded recent fiscal reforms. The Kuwaiti Cabinet confirmed the minister’s departure without stating a reason, and an interim finance chief was swiftly appointed. Al-Fassam had overseen Kuwait’s introduction of a global minimum tax on multinationals and new public debt legislation to diversify revenue beyond oil . Her exit, following a year in office, has prompted debate in Kuwait’s parliament over the future of these reforms and the stability of the economic team.

Friday, 1 August – Kuwait marked the 33rd anniversary of Iraq’s 1990 invasion with memorial events and calls for vigilance. Leaders paid tribute to those who resisted the occupation and stressed the importance of GCC unity against aggression. The somber remembrance comes as Kuwait continues to strengthen its defence and security cooperation with allies to deter any repeat of such trauma. In parallel, Kuwaiti humanitarian organisations reported delivering additional relief supplies to Gaza, reflecting Kuwait’s ongoing support for the Palestinian people during the current crisis.

Sunday, 3 August – Qatari Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi warned that Doha may redirect LNG exports away from Europe in response to the EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). In its talks with Brussels, Qatar argued the human rights and environmental supply-chain law infringes on national sovereignty and could jeopardise long-term gas contracts. While the EU offered minor revisions, Al-Kaabi deemed them insufficient. Qatar, which supplies over 12% of Europe’s LNG, signalled it will seek other markets if the directive proceeds unchanged. The standoff highlights tensions in EU-Gulf trade relations as Europe pursues stricter corporate responsibility rules.

Monday, 4 August – As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepened, Qatar opened a new first aid station at the Qatari-funded hospital in northern Gaza to treat war casualties. Operated by Qatar Fund for Development and staffed with specialised medics, the facility has already handled over 2,500 injuries in recent weeks. Doha officials highlighted that this emergency unit, unique in Gaza’s north, provides rapid trauma care and relieves overwhelmed hospitals. Qatar’s energy minister again implored the international community to ensure unimpeded delivery of aid and condemned any use of food and medicine as ‘weapons against the vulnerable.’

Monday, 28 July – In a regional first for traditional banking, UAE’s Rakbank launched a regulated cryptocurrency trading service for retail clients. The mid-tier Emirati bank partnered with European exchange Bitpanda to offer customers the ability to buy, sell and custody digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The pilot programme, backed by UAE regulators, will roll out to select users ahead of a wider public launch. This move by a conventional bank into crypto underscores the UAE’s drive to position itself as a fintech hub with progressive rules, even as volatility and regulatory uncertainty persist globally in the crypto market. Industry analysts note the UAE’s approach could serve as a model for bridging traditional finance with digital assets in the region.

Wednesday, 30 July – The UAE expanded its strategic tech footprint abroad, with Abu Dhabi-based Space42 partnering with Microsoft and Esri on a landmark plan to map the African continent via satellite imagery and AI. Over five years, the consortium will produce detailed digital maps of all African nations, addressing data gaps that hinder development and investment. Space42 will generate high-resolution geospatial data and ‘digital twin’ simulations, while Microsoft provides cloud-AI infrastructure and US firm Esri oversees mapping software. The project aims to support African logistics, renewable energy siting and urban planning, as well as help governments manage borders and resources. It underscores the UAE’s emergence as a top investor and technology partner in Africa, complementing Emirati commitments of 44 billion USD to the continent last year.