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
Palestinian businessman seeks self-funded projects to support Gaza economy An agreement of $1 million was signed to restore industrial facilities that were destroyed in the May 2021 war on Gaza, which came as a glimmer of hope for the stricken industrial city. Palestine
Lebanese fear more hardships after fuel subsidies are lifted The Lebanese are expecting higher gasoline prices in light of the central bank’s decision to lift subsidies amid market chaos, dollar exchange fluctuations and devaluation of salaries in the Lebanese pound. Lebanon
Egyptian pound continues to lose value Economists expect Egypt's central bank to loosen its grip on the exchange rate of the Egyptian pound in its meeting later this month, but the possible move is fraught with fears from a sharp rise in commodity prices. Egypt
Culture Lebanese turn to logging in preparation for winter Lebanon’s woodlands are at risk as the poor are cutting down trees as an alternative for fuel to heat their homes in the coming winter, and with such desperate measures experts fear the loss of precious and old trees. Lebanon
With warming of diplomatic ties, Israel, Turkey expect bilateral trade boom Now that diplomatic relations have improved, Israel hopes to increase and expand its exportations to Turkey in fields such as water treatment, smart agriculture and energy. Israel
Co-working draws Lebanese amid economic, power crises Several businesses in Lebanon have started utilizing co-working spaces, allowing them to cope with crises by sharing ideas and skills as well as offices. Lebanon
More hurdles could delay opening of Egypt’s new administrative capital The resignations of two executives of the company managing the new administrative capital project in Cairo have raised questions about the project and its feasibility in light of the deteriorating economic situation in the country. Egypt
Investment in Israeli food tech doubles Israel is quickly becoming one of the world leaders in cultivated meat, dairy and seafood products. Israel
Is dollarization best option for Lebanon’s collapsing economy? In light of the continued collapse of the Lebanese currency, some are suggesting that the dollarization of the economy may be the best option to revive the country’s financial system. Lebanon
Israeli settlement intended for ultra-Orthodox draws new residents After years of failure to attract ultra-Orthodox residents, the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel is starting to interest middle-class families. Israel
Netanyahu campaign leans on Israel's economic woes Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is focusing his electoral campaign on the failure of the government to lower the cost of living and better working conditions in schools and hospitals. Israel
Iran’s trade with Turkmenistan on pace to double this year Iran is seeking more trade with its neighbors and other countries in Central Asia. Iran
