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
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
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
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iraqi efforts underway to resolve Kurdish oil exports via Turkey Ankara, Baghdad and Erbil appear willing to negotiate a new mechanism after an international tribunal dealt a blow to Kurdistan’s drive to sell its oil independently. Turkey
Israeli, Cypriot, Greek FMs discuss Iran's IRGC in Cyprus meeting The Iranian threat, security cooperation, joint energy projects and tourism were all discussed at the three-way meeting of the Israeli, Cypriot and Greek foreign ministers in Nicosia. Israel
China settles first LNG trade in yuan with UAE deal China has held several discussions with countries in the Middle East and North Africa about conducting trade using its local currency. Legacy: Gulf
International oil firms stop operations as Iraqi-Kurdish oil dispute continues A Kurdish official told Al-Monitor that the Kurdistan Regional Government disagrees with an Iraqi government proposal to resolve the issue, as the stoppage of oil exports to Turkey threatens the autonomous region's economy. Iraq
Saudis joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization as China bromance blossoms Russia, China and a number of former Soviet states in Central Asia created the SCO in 2001 to counter US hegemony in the region. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis North Africa diesel exports to Europe surge as Russia digs deeper into Ukraine Europe has been looking for alternative sources of oil and gas in light of Western sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
UAE-Israel ties strengthen further with offer for NewMed Energy Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and British Petroleum are seeking a 50% stake in the firm. The news follows the activation of the Israel-UAE free trade agreement and another Emirati firm buying a stake in Israel's gas fields. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia, UAE court China in search for stability with Iran The Arab Gulf states remain cordial and diplomatic as the United States, Russia, China and Iran feud over spying and matters of international law. Legacy: Gulf
Oil spill hits Kuwait but production unaffected Oil production was unaffected but some people were injured, according to the state-owned oil firm. Kuwait
Analysis Jordan economic rating shows upswing, but problems remain Jordanians in the private sector are praising their government's ambitious economic strategies, but still see systemic inefficiencies as a barrier to making them a reality. By Salim A. Essaid
Kuwait asks Asian refiners to take less oil as Al Zour refinery ramps up output Kuwait Petroleum Corporation informed some buyers that Kuwait Export Blend crude supply could be reduced under new annual contracts as soon as April, according to Reuters. Legacy: Gulf
Oil sinks below $75 a barrel, lowest price in more than a year The news follows the Saudi National Bank declining to inject more money into the struggling Credit Suisse, as well as Silicon Valley Bank’s failure. Legacy: Gulf
