Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal The Israeli prime minister's frustration with Trump administration strong-arming continues, with pressure to sign Egypt gas deal and now a reported push for Sisi meeting. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel's Netanyahu approves $35B natural gas megadeal with Egypt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will sell Egypt natural gas worth $35 billion, in the biggest-ever deal of its kind for the country. Israel
Analysis Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Netanyahu campaign leans on Israel's economic woes Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is focusing his electoral campaign on the failure of the government to lower the cost of living and better working conditions in schools and hospitals. Israel
Iran’s trade with Turkmenistan on pace to double this year Iran is seeking more trade with its neighbors and other countries in Central Asia. Iran
Saudi Arabia to invest $1 billion in Pakistan, following UAE and Qatar Pakistan is seeking help from the Gulf amid its foreign currency reserves crisis. Saudi Arabia
Egypt-Chinese consortium to run terminals in Red Sea, Mediterranean ports The Egyptian government signed new concessions with a Chinese alliance to build and operate two world-class container terminals in the ports of Sokhna and Dekhila, as part of a container logistics project to link the Red and Mediterranean seas. Egypt
Iran, Russia use own currencies for trade Saudi Arabia and India have also signaled moving away from the US dollar. Iran
Egypt’s foreign reserves drop 19% due to economic crisis caused by Russia-Ukraine war Egypt’s public budget is facing a major deficit due to the increase in expenditures and national currency depreciation. Egypt
Iran's FM seeks Africa ties to boost sanctions-hit economy The Islamic Republic renewed the official line that it won't keep its battered economy waiting on the fate of the nuclear deal. Iran
Iraq's prime minister attends Arab summit in Egypt’s New Alamein Leaders of Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain met today in Egypt's New Alamein city to discuss regional security and cooperation. Iraq
Palestinians working in Israel strike to protest salary payments in banks Palestinian construction workers are suspicious about a new mechanism agreed upon by Israeli and Palestinian Authority administrations, for salaries to be paid directly into Palestinian bank accounts and not in cash. Israel
Giant retail companies to shake up Israeli market In an effort to lower prices, the Israeli government is encouraging companies such as Carrefour and AliExpress into the domestic market. Israel
Israeli automotive startups dream of becoming next Mobileye Vying for the same success of Mobileye, which was bought by Intel five years ago for $15 billion, Israeli startups are doubling their efforts to appeal to foreign investors. Israel
Culture Cash-strapped Lebanese turn to online civil marriages Najwa Sbeity and Omar Abdel Baki's civil wedding ceremony that they held online went viral, enticing more people to opt for this option despite the religious backlash and bureaucratic difficulties. Lebanon
