Analysis Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Turkey hits renewable milestone as solar surpasses gas in power capacity Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in a statement that wind and solar capacity combined had risen to 39,215 megawatts by the end of November. Turkey
Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi The Gulf’s top financial hubs have posted another strong year in 2025, with the UAE spearheading a regional push to attract hedge funds, asset managers, crypto and fintech firms as regional neighbors target growth of their own. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Newsletter: Business & Tech World Cup spending boosts Morocco stocks By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi National Bank chairman resigns after Credit Suisse loss Current CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Ghamdi will take over as the new chairman on March 27, with deputy CEO Talal Ahmed Al Khereiji filling his place. Legacy: Gulf
Why global energy giants are increasing their presence in the Middle East and North Africa Global energy companies have all made the strategic assumption that they will be able to invest in exploration and production in the Middle East for several decades to come. Gerald Kepes In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends
Israeli shekel, stocks rally as Netanyahu pauses judicial reform The right-wing Israeli government’s controversial judicial reform plans have divided Israeli society and led to concerns among the Israeli tech sector and global financial institutions. Israel
Lebanon PM reverses daylight saving time decision after 48 hours of anarchy The decision to postpone the switch to daylight saving time sparked a wide debate in Lebanon, in some cases taking on a sectarian nature. Lebanon
Egypt offers cash for families to control births The Egyptian government intends to pay 1,000 Egyptian pounds to married women with two children or less annually as part of efforts to curb population growth. Tunisia
Oman's green hydrogen to face competition from Saudi Arabia, UAE Oman aspires to be the Middle East's top producer and exporter of green hydrogen as global demand grows. It'll have to go through Saudi Arabia and the UAE first. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Egypt-China relations strengthen with $2 billion factory deal China is making major economic inroads into Egypt along with other countries in the Middle East. Egypt
Elon Musk denies report that Saudi Arabia, UAE intend to invest in SpaceX An arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and an Abu Dhabi-based company were reported to be looking to invest in Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to The Information, which cited people familiar with investor discussions. Legacy: Gulf
This Ramadan, food prices change Egypt's longstanding Iftar customs Surging food prices force Egyptians to strictly stick to the basics ahead of Ramadan. Egypt
UAE, Oman call for bids on $3 billion transnational railway project The move aims to expand the role of the private sector in the state-owned project and promote regional integration, with the project connecting Oman’s Sohar Port with the UAE's National Rail Network. Legacy: Gulf
Russia surpasses Saudi Arabia as China’s top oil supplier Energy-related cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China remains strong, but Russia and Saudi Arabia will continue to compete for the Chinese oil market in the near future. Legacy: Gulf
Increased gold reserves help stabilize Turkey's currency ahead of May elections The value of Turkey's gold reserves have reached an all-time high of $50.6 billion and account for almost 40% of the central bank's gross foreign assets. Piero Cingari