Qatar PM arrives in Venezuela on first trip since Maduro’s ouster: What to know Qatar is moving to shore up ties with Venezuela as the US seeks greater control over the South American country’s oil revenues. Qatar
Analysis Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy Egyptians tend to spend more during the Islamic holy month relative to the rest of the year, but high inflation and low wages have reduced their purchasing power. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Could China’s COSCO halting ships to Israel spark crisis in Sino-Israeli relations? Experts see the move as part of Beijing's effort to echo what it sees as the voice of the global south regarding the war in Gaza. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Will Saudi Arabia see mining gold rush in 2024? The kingdom plans to take advantage of the growing demand for critical minerals to power the green transition. Saudi Arabia
UAE's MBZ in India, meets Modi as Houthis' maritime threat expands The visit comes amid a spike in Houthi maritime attacks that are increasingly disrupting Gulf waters and encroaching on India's coast. Legacy: Gulf
UAE’s AD Ports to develop Egypt Red Sea cruise terminals despite instability Attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on international ships have prompted some firms to steer clear of the waterway. Legacy: Gulf
UK, Turkish trade ministers meet in Turkey, announce joint railway deal The two countries have an existing trade deal that covers goods but not services, digital trade or data. Turkey
Saudi PIF invested $31.6B in 2023, record in global sovereign wealth funds The PIF is estimated to have nearly $800 billion in assets and wants to become the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund by 2030. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s exports to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia shoot up in 2023: Erdogan The Turkish president also said the country’s total export revenues reached an all-time high. Turkey
2023 in review: Iran sees opportunity in Gaza war, steps up crackdown at home Iran's theocratic establishment engaged in a flurry of foreign diplomacy to try to ease the international isolation it is facing, while at home it intensified its crackdown on dissent. Iran
What is behind Iran-Russia de-dollarization deal as sanctions bite? The long-awaited agreement was one among several solutions the two countries have sought to salvage their battered economies, which remain cut off from key international banking systems. Iran
Saudi mining firm Ma’aden announces gold discovery Saudi Arabia seeks to boost its mining sector, including via investment at home and abroad. Legacy: Gulf
Explainer: Major shipping giants resume Red Sea routes amid Houthi attacks The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have fired on international ships and Israel’s port in the Red Sea since the Gaza war began, wreaking havoc on the global shipping industry. Legacy: Gulf
How Starbucks fell from favor with pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian activists The coffee giant is no stranger to frothy accusations of being pro-Israel, and now a pro-Palestinian post on one of its union's social media accounts has sparked a boycott. Israel
