Qatar locks in US LNG through 2054 as it looks beyond Hormuz The Gulf state agreed to buy up to 4 million tons of US liquefied natural gas annually through 2054. Qatar
China-Saudi consortium wins $306M World Cup stadium deal: What to know The project is a vote of confidence to Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy away from oil, despite an uptick in attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the kingdom in recent weeks. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi economic ambitions under strain Saudi Arabia postponed its flagship investment conference, known as “Davos in the Desert,” on Monday as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued attacks on the kingdom. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Gulf oil exports surpass prewar levels despite escalating tanker attacks According to data from Kpler, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes across the Middle East averaged more than 24 million barrels a day last week, surpassing prewar levels of 23.3 million. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
France's Macron eyes defense deals, Lebanon support on Saudi state visit French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a one-on-one dinner on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia
Analysis What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset? Algeria’s central bank has ordered the unfreezing of trade with Spain after nearly two and half years of economic retaliation in return for Madrid endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Heineken to draft in Gulf’s first large-scale brewery in Dubai The Dubai-based brewery will begin construction in late 2025 and has secured all necessary permits, Heineken said in a statement. United Arab Emirates
ADNOC launches $80B low carbon energy company XRG: What we know XRG, which will operate separately to ADNOC, is expected to double its asset value over the next decade. United Arab Emirates
Turkey launches counterfeit US dollar probe as exchange offices halt trade The Banking Association of Turkey said currency counting machines, counterfeit currency detection devices as well as ATMs were being updated against circulation of counterfeit banknotes. Turkey
Emirates Airline 'frustrated' at aircraft shortage due to manufacturer delays Executives at the Middle East’s largest airline have frequently expressed their dismay over delays and uncertainty around the delivery of the Boeing 777-9X jets. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia's electricity sector to see significant transformation by 2030 Gerald Kepes In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends
Saudi Arabia seeks mining deals with Chinese, Indian and Canadian firms in industry push Companies from China and India announced billions of dollars' worth of investments in the Saudi mining sector, while Canadian companies could win contracts in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Turkey in talks for US sanctions waiver to pay for Russian gas The United States introduced Ukraine war-related sanctions last week against 118 individuals and entities tied to Russia’s financial sector, including Gazprombank, the country’s largest lender yet to be designated by Washington. Turkey
Barclays fined $50M for failing to disclose 2008 Qatari funding The UK-headquartered bank will pay a fine of 40 million pounds to British regulators for failing to disclose information of its rescue by Qatar during the 2008 financial crisis. Qatar
Five global firms shortlisted in Morocco's controversial Western Sahara energy plans Construction on the multibillion-dollar energy project, based in Dakhla in the disputed territory, is scheduled for completion in 2029. Morocco
Turkey’s Central Bank holds interest rate at 50% It marks the eighth consecutive month without a change. Turkey