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
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
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
UAE's Flydubai says Boeing delays hurt airline’s expansion plans The Virginia-based plane-maker has been beset by plane delivery delays since its best-selling narrow-body aircraft, the 737 MAX, was flagged for safety concerns and experienced technical problems and additional quality control processes. United Arab Emirates
Why G7's economic policy toward Russia might alienate Saudi Arabia The G7 has seized hundreds of billions of dollars in Russia’s frozen assets in response to Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia
Trump adds to Gulf portfolio with Dubai tower deal The Trump Organization and Dar Global have unveiled a new development, adding to others in Oman and Saudi Arabia this year. United Arab Emirates
Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping wipe $2B off Suez Canal annual revenue The Suez Canal Authority said revenue for fiscal year 2023/24 fell to $7.2 billion, down from $9.4 billion the preceding year. Yemen
Saudia inks deal for electric flying taxis from Germany amid airline order spree The agreement to purchase 50 jets, with an option for 50 more, was made with Lilium, headquartered outside Munich. Saudi Arabia
Saudi-China energy cooperation strengthened by Uzbek wind project sale Both Saudi Arabia and China are seeking to tap into Uzbekistan's and Central Asia’s energy potential. Saudi Arabia
Turkey sees 157% wealth growth despite economic malaise Bloated asset prices due to sky-high inflation put Ankara at the top of the survey, despite many Turks struggling to get by in real cash terms. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
After 20 years, is Iraq making progress in bid to join WTO? Iraq first applied to join the WTO in 2004, but it made no considerable progress in the accession until its recent efforts to unify tariff and customs regulations between the federal and Kurdistan Region governments. Iraq
Tech investment slump reaching critical stage for cash strapped Middle East startups Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iraq-China ties progress with Nasiriyah airport project Relations between Iraq and China are strengthening, in part due to Chinese interest in Iraqi oil and infrastructure projects. Iraq
Google reportedly offers $23B for Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz Israel's Wiz is one of the world’s fastest-growing startups, having reached $350 million annual recurring revenue last year, and provides services to more than 40% of Fortune 100 businesses. Israel
Analysis Will Iran join global financial watchdog FATF under Pezeshkian? Pezeshkian has promised better days for Iran, but will he revive the once-thwarted negotiations required to make change happen? By Ali Dadpay