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
Pets suffer amid Egypt's economic crisis The Russian war on Ukraine has affected Egypt's economy in many ways and is now affecting Egyptians' ability to keep their pets at home. Egypt
World Bank blames Lebanon for 'deliberate' economic crisis The World Bank accused Lebanon’s elites of conducting “Ponzi finance” and deliberately pursuing harmful fiscal policies. Meanwhile, the Beirut port has caught fire again. Lebanon
First Ukrainian grain shipment en route to Lebanon amidst food crisis Ukraine claims a Syrian ship docked in Lebanon is carrying Ukrainian wheat and barley that was stolen by Russia and is being offering at a discount. Lebanon
Turkey’s inflation hits almost 80% as Erdogan insists on low-rate policy Despite a relative slowdown in July, Turkey’s consumer inflation appears on course to overshoot the central bank’s newly revised year-end forecast of 60.4%. Turkey
OPEC+ agrees to small oil production increase US President Joe Biden may have been hoping for a larger boost in production. Legacy: Gulf
UAE laws clamp down on money laundering, terrorism financing The Emirates recently sanctioned some financial institutions in the country. United Arab Emirates
ESG investments gain momentum in Middle East Many Middle Eastern investors consider sustainable assets attractive from an ethical perspective, though some ambiguity clouds their economic benefits. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Aramco acquires lubricant giant Valvoline Aramco has been investing in futuristic technology amid high oil prices and profits. Legacy: Gulf
Foreign investment grows in Abu Dhabi stock exchange The UAE has invested in several regional states this year. United Arab Emirates
OPEC+ faces critical decision on next moves Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
Iraq starts rebuilding Mosul airport Determined to complete the delayed Mosul airport reconstruction project, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is granting the project special exceptions to shield it from corruption and complex administrative procedures. Iraq
More gas discovered off coast of Abu Dhabi The field, which is operated by Italy’s Eni, has yielded considerable natural gas to the UAE this year. Legacy: Gulf