Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets After hitting record highs in 2025, Bitcoin’s sell-off is roiling global markets and making waves in the UAE. United Arab Emirates
Merz courts Gulf as Germany seeks energy alternatives to US, China Berlin is seeking to capitalize on ties with Gulf energy giants as relations with the United States have cooled amid strains over transatlantic defense commitments, Washington’s pursuit of Greenland and tariffs. Qatar
Gulf markets recover after gold rout, buoyed by Iran de-escalation hopes Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index, TASI, rose 1.4%, a day after falling the most in nearly 10 months amid a broad sell-off in the commodities market. United Arab Emirates
Analysis As envoys recalled, what's driving Israel-South Africa rupture? South Africa has expelled the Israeli charge d'affaires, deepening the diplomatic crisis between the two countries. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Saudi Arabia downsizes megaprojects, chases cash amid AI push By Samuel Wendel , Jack Dutton
Iran uses cryptocurrency for import order After originally cracking down on cryptocurrencies, which have the potential to help evade sanctions, Iranian authorities later decided to authorize them for imports. Iran
Egypt creates independent fund for Suez Canal Egypt has established a new fund for the Suez Canal manage its own revenues independently. Egypt
Egypt-China ties strengthen with recent deals China is also getting closer to Saudi Arabia, Iran and other countries in the region, primarily through economic cooperation. Egypt
Russia-Ukraine war leaves Hamas in financial crisis The fragile Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip has been largely affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has caused price hikes and an increase in taxes. Palestine
Lavender ecotourism throws lifeline to rural Lebanese villages As Lebanon experiences a tourism hike this summer, rural villages and attractions hope to draw tourists away from the capital with the help of ecotourism companies. A day spent discovering lavender in the south is one example. Lebanon
Netanyahu slams Lapid over Israeli inflation spike Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu believes the high cost of living is where he can turn Israeli citizens against Prime Minister Yair Lapid and his government. Israel
World Bank blames Lebanon for 'deliberate' economic crisis The World Bank accused Lebanon’s elites of conducting “Ponzi finance” and deliberately pursuing harmful fiscal policies. Meanwhile, the Beirut port has caught fire again. Lebanon
Israel's ultra-Orthodox entrepreneurs ignore internet taboos The leadership of the ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel are against the internet, but more and more ultra-Orthodox businesses find ways to be part of the digital arena. Israel
Lapid’s legacy to include better relations between Israel, Jordan First as foreign minister, and then as prime minister, Yair Lapid identified rehabilitating commercial and diplomatic ties with Jordan as top priority for Israel. Israel
Israeli army on alert after arrest of Islamic Jihad senior official The IDF has reopened some of the roads blocked off near Gaza, but soldiers remain ready for trouble. Israel
Sanctions impact Russian emigres in Israel needing pensions Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman tries helping older Israeli citizens who immigrated from Russia and depend on their modest Russian pension. Israel
Israel tightens ties with Uzbekistan The recently signed agreement over Uzbeki nursing staff traveling to Israel only highlights the rapid growth in economic, diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries. Israel
