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
Saudi Arabia’s ADES to launch IPO ADES rebooted its plans for an initial public offering, having delayed it earlier in the year after the kingdom’s stock exchange experienced difficulties. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink critical mineral cooperation deal Green energy investments will have an important share in cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, said the Turkish energy minister. Turkey
Will BRICS throw a lifeline to dollar-strapped Egypt? Economists believe BRICS membership will give Egypt a chance to ease pressure on the dollar, but is not a quick remedy for the country’s economic woes Egypt
Drought puts Morocco’s water infrastructure projects into overdrive Morocco’s budget for water infrastructure is rising as desalination and dam projects advance amid droughts and increasing international partnerships. North Africa
Analysis Tadawul posts losses but Saudi markets remain fundamentally strong 'A bit of a correction' sheds some prior gains on the Saudi stock index, but professionals see reasons to keep investing in the kingdom. By Harry Clynch In London, reporting on Middle East economics
Turkey ends lira protection scheme as banks tally up damage With Turkey’s inflation on course to hit 70% by the year-end, the plan to convince depositors to shift to regular deposits with yields well below the inflation rate appears unviable. Turkey
Saudi Arabia’s soccer spending spree reshapes Middle East sports sector The kingdom is gunning to become a professional sports powerhouse.
Lebanon’s acting central bank chief pleads for reform as crisis continues Wassim Mansouri has been urgently calling on the Lebanese government to enact reforms since becoming acting governor of Banque du Liban following the end of the embattled Riad Salameh’s term. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia mulls Chinese bid to build nuclear plant The news will irk Washington, which wants Riyadh to not be able to develop nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia
Iraq to receive gas from Turkmenistan Iraq is largely dependent on Iran for gas, despite having its own sizable reserves. The relationship has been complicated by US sanctions on Iran, and Iraq is also seeking international help to utilize its gas reserves. Iraq
Fossil fuel subsidies in Middle East nearly doubled since 2020, says IMF The fund said that fossil fuel companies globally benefited from $13 million in subsidies per minute last year. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey’s Central Bank shifts gears, hikes interest rates to 25% The 750 basis point rise was higher than analysts' expectations, prompting lira to rebound from a record low. Turkey