Pistachios reach highest prices in eight years amid Iran war Pistachio prices rose to around $4.57 a pound in March, their highest since 2018, according to data company Expana. Iran
UAE’s cash request tests US ties as Iran war strains Gulf financial muscle Amid growing economic fallout from the regional war, Abu Dhabi’s bombshell request for a war-time financial lifeline from the United States is less about cash and more about clout — for now. United Arab Emirates
IEA delivers grim gas supply forecast as oil notches 15% weekly rise A wave of new LNG supplies will be delayed for at least two years due to war-related damage to Qatari energy infrastructure, according the International Energy Agency's latest market update. Qatar
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
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
Will UAE's $35B investment help Egypt recover from financial crisis? The Gulf state has stepped in with a major deal that could throw an economic lifeline to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government. Egypt
Saudi Arabia’s PIF poised for more bold investments as Vision 2030 squeezes war chest Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
What’s behind Dubai’s new 20% tax on foreign banks? The UAE implemented its first-ever corporate tax last year in an effort to boost revenue amid the shift away from oil and gas. Legacy: Gulf
AI and cloud investments dominate Saudi Arabia's LEAP tech summit Amazon Web Services and DataVolt were among the companies that made significant cloud investments in the kingdom, which is looking to become a global technology hub. Saudi Arabia
UAE-India ties grow as DP World secures $422M for Gujarat container terminal Intiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor have seen business deals flourishing between India and the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
What does Donald Trump's latest $200 million deal with Saudi Arabia entail? The former president, who is now the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party, has long had significant business ties to Saudi Arabia via his properties and the LIV Golf league. Legacy: Gulf
Morocco turns to Turkey for weapons imports as Israel ties strain over Gaza Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Egypt’s pound falls 60% amid currency float, $5B IMF deal Egypt announced that it had expanded a previously $3 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund after the decision to float the currency was made public. Egypt
Could Etihad Airways become first Gulf airline to launch IPO? The airline reported on Wednesday that it made a net profit for 2023 and 2022 after a string of substantial losses since 2016. United Arab Emirates
Gulf Starbucks operator to lay off 2,000 amid Gaza boycotts Starbucks’ business has been significantly impacted by the Gaza war, and has faced boycott calls from pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups recently. Legacy: Gulf
Pro-Palestine protesters block UK arms fair sponsored by Israel’s Elbit Systems Since 2015, Britain has licensed more than $602 million worth of military exports to Israel, including components for combat aircraft, missiles, tanks, technology, small arms and ammunition, according to the Campaign Against Arms Trade group. Israel
Iran, Algeria to build closer energy, tourism ties Europe is increasingly interested in Algeria as an alternative to Russia for gas supplies, while Iran is seeking to boost its own gas output amid continued US sanctions. Iran