Analysis Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route? On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Syria
Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress." Iran
Newsletter: Business & Tech The race to restore Hormuz US and Iranian negotiators are seeking a lasting agreement on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran pushes for long-term control over the strategic waterway. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM to build renewable-powered desalination plant The controversial planned city will partner with a Japanese and a French company in the endeavor. Legacy: Gulf
Crisis-stricken Hamas borrows from local banks The Hamas movement has been forced to borrow from the local banks to fund the salaries of its 45,000 employees amid low local revenues, costly subsidies and declining Qatari financial grants. Palestine
Egypt puts up for sale land plots for expats wishing to build cemeteries The Ministry of Housing and Urban Communities in Egypt has put up for sale cemetery lands for Egyptians abroad in four new cities, priced in dollars, as part of the government’s efforts to counter a severe foreign currency shortage. Egypt
Iraq connects electrical grid with Saudi Arabia The move could help Iraq with its electricity woes and reduce energy dependence on Iran. Iraq
Analysis Turkey ‘highly vulnerable’ to liquidity pinch, says leading credit agency Turkey, Tunisia and other countries in the Middle East could face liquidity challenges amid rising interest rates worldwide. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Israel raises interest rates, following Gulf, US Inflation is rising throughout the Middle East and many countries' central banks are raising interest rates in response. Legacy: Gulf
UAE bans exports of India-sourced wheat, restricts others The Ministry of Economy said the decision was motivated by global supply chain disruptions as well as the recent trade agreement between the UAE and India. Legacy: Gulf
Tunisians watch prices of most consumer goods soar Tunisians have seen their purchasing power plummet in recent days, amid a market shortage of basic goods, soaring prices of most consumer goods and warnings of possible nationwide protests. Tunisia
Dubai real estate transactions hit 13-year high The American commercial real estate firm CBRE released a lengthy report on the Emirati city’s real estate market. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt revokes ration cards of half-million citizens The ration cards of hundreds of thousands of Egyptians have been revoked to lighten the state's subsidy bill in response to the International Monetary Fund conditions and the rising cost of wheat imports. Egypt
UAE-Turkey economic relations continue to tighten with pharma deal The Emirati investment firm ADQ has acquired Birgi Mefar Group. Turkey
Iran and Iraq sign tourism deal The agreement follows protests of Iranian “interference” after a drone attack targeted an alleged Israeli spy base in northern Iraq. Iran