Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Eni presses ahead with Egypt gas projects as war raises investment risks Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi on Tuesday, with the Italian energy giant revealing it could make a crucial investment decision in coming months. Egypt
Syrian Airlines expands Europe comeback with Vienna, Copenhagen flights Syrian Airlines currently flies to 14 destinations across eight countries, with four additional routes planned. Syria
China warns US not to interfere with Iran trade: What to know China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing was firmly opposed to what it called “illegal unilateral sanctions” and would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its rights. Iran
Analysis UAE-Iran trade relationship becomes key test of Trump’s wartime strategy By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Coca-Cola to sponsor COP27 in Egypt, sparking criticism The company has been ranked as the world’s top corporate plastic polluter for years and is blamed for spending millions of dollars greenwashing its brand and lobbying to derail regulations. Egypt
Abu Dhabi announces nearly $1 billion drilling contract Oil and gas remain a major part of the Emirati economy, despite recent investments in renewable energy and green technology. The contract comes as the UAE gets ready to provide gas to Germany amid the war in Ukraine. United Arab Emirates
Iran wants to use national currencies with Caspian states At the Caspian Economic Forum, Iran promoted the idea, which would allow it to evade international financial sanctions. Iran
Russian nuclear energy in the Middle East heats up Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
Egypt venture capital firm for startups develops solutions to climate change The Climate Resilience Fund targets nature-positive and sustainable projects that address mainly land and sea misuse. Egypt
Egypt restricts dollar withdrawals amid liquidity crunch Egypt’s foreign reserves have fallen considerably amid the economic crisis and Russia-Ukraine war. Egypt
UAE touts new domestic workers law The UAE, like other Gulf countries, has faced criticism for its treatment of foreign workers. United Arab Emirates
Egypt's released political prisoners get economic aid A presidential initiative puts former political detainees on economic track after their release. Egypt
Egypt freezes Russian MIR payments to avoid US sanctions Acceptance of MIR bank cards would have eased Russian tourists’ payments inside Egyptian hotels and resorts. Egypt
Egypt claims wheat self-sufficiency despite Ukraine war Over the past three months, Egypt has bought 3.5 million tons of wheat from local farmers as it works to achieve self-sufficiency and weather the effects of the global crisis caused by the Russian war on Ukraine. Egypt
More gas discovered off coast of Israel as Lebanon talks falter Energean’s discovery follows a setback in the US-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon over their maritime border. Israel