News

Thai Tapioca Export Prices Jump 47% as Bubble Tea Supply Chain Tightens

Thai FOB Bangkok tapioca starch prices rose 47 percent since January 2026, tightening bubble tea's supply chain from Southeast Asian cassava fields to the Gulf.

Ar Rabi's Cafes Become the Default Meeting Point for Riyadh's Young Professionals

As Riyadh's dining and retail economy expands, cafes in north Riyadh districts like Ar Rabi are turning into informal meeting spots for coworkers and friends after work.

Riyadh Metro Line 7 First Phase Targets 2026 Construction Start

Saudi Arabia aims to begin building Riyadh Metro Line 7 in 2026, a 65-kilometer line linking Diriyah Gate to Qiddiya, as its tender process nears a contract award.

Cold Brew Tea Gains Ground in Cairo as Egypt's Heat Wave Persists

Cold brew tea's slow, all-cold steeping method is gaining notice in Cairo as Egypt's heat wave holds daytime highs near 40 degrees Celsius this month.

Saudi Arabia's New Public Art Rules Arrive as Riyadh's Art Cafes Grow

Saudi Arabia's Visual Arts Commission has released new national guidelines for public art, arriving as Riyadh's JAX District cements its art cafe scene.

Al Hamra's Family Weekend Rhythm Holds Before Riyadh Schools Reopen

Saudi public schools return August 23, and Riyadh's Al Hamra district is spending its last summer weekends between neighborhood parks, its mall and family cafes.

Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah Draws Crowds With Free Entry Through September

Diriyah's Bujairi Terrace, Riyadh's heritage dining district by At-Turaif, draws crowds under free entry through September 30 and a new Lebanese restaurant.

Middle East RTD Tea Market to Grow 8.9 Percent a Year to 2031

The Middle East's ready-to-drink tea market is worth 227 million dollars in 2026, led by Saudi Arabia and growing fastest in Qatar, new market data shows.

Why Riyadh's Matcha Cafes Are Feeling Japan's Global Shortage

Japan's matcha shortage and price surge are reaching Riyadh, where matcha lattes now rival Arabic coffee across the city's fastest-growing cafe scene.

Al Hamadani Street Riyadh: A Commercial Corridor Between Two Districts

Al Hamadani Street runs along Riyadh's Al Sulaimaniyah-Al Olaya boundary, a commercial strip reshaped by the districts' fast-growing retail and dining scene.

Saudi Stopover Visa Opens Riyadh's Dining Scene to 96-Hour Travelers

Saudi Arabia's free 96-hour stopover visa lets travelers connecting through Riyadh leave the airport and explore the city's fast-growing dining and cafe scene.

King Salman International Airport's Third Runway Takes Shape in 2026

Saudi Arabia's King Salman International Airport advances its third runway and Terminal 6 build in 2026, growing capacity as Riyadh's aviation hub expands.