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
China's Nio electric vehicle maker gets $2.2 billion from UAE investment firm Nio is seeking money from the Middle East due to its financial struggles. Legacy: Gulf
BP, Equinor change oil shipment plans after Red Sea Houthi attacks The Iran-backed rebels have said the attacks are in retaliation for the war in Gaza. Yemen
Iran says ‘enemy conspiracy’ behind outage at 70% of gas stations The Oil Ministry’s Shana news agency reported that operations will be running again as normal within “a few hours” and until then fuel is being distributed offline. Iran
Saudi Arabia’s multinational HQ deadline nears amid uncertainty for companies and Gulf competition Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Middle East transparency on carbon emissions lags behind rest of world Turkey and the UAE led the pack for most transparent countries in the region regarding greenhouse gas emissions. United Arab Emirates
Britain hits Iran and its foreign proxies with fresh sanctions The measures, coordinated with the United States, also target Iran's shipping sector and drone exports. Iran
World Bank ups Middle East climate financing to $10B by 2025 The global lender provided $6.3 billion in climate financing for the MENA region between 2021 and 2023, much of it focused on mitigation and adaptation. Legacy: Gulf
COP28: historic deal agreed for world to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels The summit stretched into prolonged negotiations over the terminology of the final text, after the “phase out” of fossil fuels was omitted from the draft a day before the scheduled end of the event. United Arab Emirates
China-Saudi Investment Conference begins in Beijing China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and biggest customer of its primary commodity: crude oil. Saudi Arabia
Bahrain's Investcorp buys 50% of Corsair's $4.8B infrastructure business The new entity, Investcorp Corsair, will continue to grow with a particular focus on transportation, logistics and related subsectors, a statement from the two companies said. Bahrain
First commercial brewery to open in United Arab Emirates Previously, the only way a vendor or business could sell beer in the UAE would be if it was manufactured overseas. United Arab Emirates
Analysis What does Jon Rahm’s move to Saudi-funded LIV Golf mean for PGA Tour merger? The star golfer’s move could spur the PGA Tour to move faster in the merger talks with its Saudi-backed rival ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change