Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Does Moscow’s withdrawal from OPEC-plus deal end Russia-Saudi honeymoon? Russia’s decision to break off from the Saudis in the OPEC-plus agreement has some merits. Saudi Arabia
UAE shows path for peaceful nuclear development Fuel assemblies have been loaded into the first of four UAE nuclear power plants following the country's yearslong effort to develop major national and international support for nuclear energy. United Arab Emirates
Edelman strikes $6 million deal with Saudis to promote G-20 business summit Saudi petrochemicals company SABIC has hired the Chicago-based PR giant to support this year’s Business 20 gathering in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Why is Turkish Cypriot leader declared ‘enemy’ in Turkey? The leader of the Cypriot Turks angered Ankara in October for criticizing the Turkish incursion into Syria, but all hell has broken loose since he recently said that any move by Turkey to annex Northern Cyprus would be a “horrible” prospect. Turkey
Jordanians fuming over electricity bills, call for boycott Jordanians are angered at the sharp hike in electricity rates, which the government claims is due to the high consumption in subzero temperatures. Jordan
Turkey expands gas exploration efforts to Libya’s offshore waters Turkey has moved to expand its gas exploration drive in the tension-ridden eastern Mediterranean since signing a maritime accord with Libya’s Tripoli-based government, but there are also signs that Ankara might seek to break its isolation in the region. Turkey
Libyan divide deepens as eastern forces shut down oil ports As the Libyan National Army accused the Government of National Accord and Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation of spending its revenues on mercenaries to fight along their ranks, the tribes in eastern Libya shut down multiple oil ports and demanded a new distribution of oil revenues. Libya
Will Israel go through with plan to develop Gaza gas field? Amid reports about talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to import gas to the territories, sources say the PA intends to get gas to operate Gaza’s power plant and solve its acute power crisis. Qatar
In historic development, Israel exports natural gas to Egypt Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz explains all the historic aspects of Israel exporting natural gas to Egypt. Egypt
Israel-Greece-Cyprus take on Turkey in the Mediterranean Trilateral cooperation among Israel, Greece and Cyprus to build a natural gas subsea pipeline is setting the stage for more tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt
Jordanians press case against importing Israeli gas A confrontation between the Jordanian government and parliament looms after the launch of a trial run pumping Israeli natural gas to Jordan amid vocal public opposition. Egypt
Will Egyptians benefit from latest fuel price move? Egypt’s Follow-up Committee for the Automatic Pricing Mechanism for Petroleum Products recently issued its quarterly decision on the trajectory of domestic fuel prices. Egypt
