US Senate approves repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria: What to know The 2019 Caesar Act imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria to hold the government accountable for human rights abuses committed during the country’s civil war. Syria
Saudi investment minister visits Morocco, Senegal on Africa trade drive Saudi Arabia has pledged more than $41 billion in investment in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade. Saudi Arabia
Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations. Iran
World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Davos 2023: Saudi Arabia 'open' to discuss trading in non-dollar currencies Qatar also voiced support for Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter at the annual forum in Davos, Switzerland. Legacy: Gulf
Lebanon's Riad Salameh probe tops visit of European investigators A European delegation is conducting an investigation into Lebanon’s banking system and the port explosion in the hope of providing some answers. Lebanon
Egypt, facing economic crunch, restricts non-essential travel for government The decision is the latest in a series of measures Egyptian public and private financial institutions are taking in an attempt to cope with the economic crisis. Egypt
Turkey's inflation slows most in December in a boost to Erdogan Facing crucial elections in spring, the Turkish government is trying to take credit for curbing inflation, even though the steep decline in the annual rate owes mostly to a favorable base effect. Turkey
2022 in review: Reforms, Ukraine war drive boost in UAE’s real estate market Improved regulatory policies and diplomatic measures amid the Ukraine war have welcomed foreign direct investment and boosted the UAE real estate market in 2022 above the global average. Legacy: Gulf
Secondhand clothes offer Egyptians respite as inflation skyrockets With living expenses rising and temperatures dropping and inflation surging to a five-year high of 18.7%, many Egyptians are looking to buy secondhand clothes at Wekalat al-Balah, Egypt's most famous used clothing market in the center of Cairo Egypt
Egyptian official says Suez Canal 'not for sale' amid fears of foreign investment The chairman of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority has responded after a parliamentary session discussing a private fund linked to the waterway sparked widespread criticism. Egypt
Iraqi PM stresses need for regional reconciliation at summit in Jordan Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attended the second round of the Baghdad conference today in Jordan and expressed Iraq's willingness to push forward on regional cooperation and partnership. Iraq
Netanyahu’s new government will set Israel back, tech leaders warn Mass letters to Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu are warning that the legislation his coalition partners are currently advancing will harm Israel’s flourishing tech industry and beyond. Israel
Israel uneasy with deal granting UAE control over pensions Israeli experts warn against the deal, which will have Abu Dhabi government-backed ADQ Developmental Holding Company purchasing a 25% controlling part of Israel’s Phoenix insurance company. Israel
Jordanian officer killed as protests over fuel prices spread The killing of the officer comes after governmental measures failed to stop a strike staged by lorry and public transport drivers in different Jordanian regions following the protesters’ insistence on a reduction in fuel prices Jordan
World Bank says debt increasing in Middle East countries Egypt, Iran and Turkey’s debt rose significantly last year. Legacy: Gulf
