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
Saudi Arabia's PIF buys $2B majority stake in entertainment giant MBC The deal highlights the PIF’s continued expansion into the regional media and entertainment sector in accordance with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agenda. Saudi Arabia
UAE’s MBZ meets Azerbaijan's Aliyev as Abu Dhabi expands South Caucasus footprint In July, Azerbaijan and the UAE signed an economic partnership agreement and Abu Dhabi hosted peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. United Arab Emirates
Google Pay, China’s Alipay+ launch in Saudi Arabia amid cashless push Both payment platforms will use mada, the kingdom’s national payment system. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis KFC’s Turkey relaunch tests Western brands’ resilience in Gaza boycott era From KFC to Carrefour, the Middle East's consumer brand landscape is undergoing significant shifts as the two-year anniversary of boycotts linked to the Gaza war approaches. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Will Egypt’s cooling inflation, economic growth satisfy IMF ahead of $8B loan review? The IMF is set to send a mission to Cairo this fall to review Egypt’s $8 billion loan program. Egypt
Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event. Saudi Arabia
Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems. Saudi Arabia
EU Commission chief seeks sanctions, partial trade freeze on Israel: What to know The proposal comes in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, but divisions among the EU’s 27 member states make it uncertain whether the measures will be adopted. Israel
China calls on BRICS to boost multilateral trade as Iran, UAE eye closer ties The UAE’s and Egypt’s trade with BRICS members is on the rise, while Iran’s efforts to increase economic ties are complicated by sanctions. China
Cyprus courts UAE amid Greek pressure on subsea cable: What to know The project has been beset with delays due to longstanding disagreements between NATO members Greece and Turkey over territory in the Eastern Mediterranean. United Arab Emirates
India, Israel ink new investment deal: What to know The deal comes just a week after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, where India signed a declaration condemning Israeli actions in Gaza and Iran. Israel
Turkish, Armenian envoys to meet Wednesday amid renewed peace push The sixth round of Turkish-Armenian normalization talks will follow the Washington peace summit between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is expected to inject fresh momentum into reconciliation efforts. Turkey
