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
Iranian trade with China on the rise China is focused on improving its economic ties with Iran as opposed to security cooperation. Iran
Israeli government retreats on bread-price controls The global rise in prices of flour and other products havs affected the cost of bread in Israel, some of which has long been regulated. Israel
Culture Lebanese expat influencer runs barefoot marathon for cancer patients Influencer Raymi Naouss, in partnership with NGO Crush Kancer with a Smile, ran over 40 kilometers as part of a barefoot marathon to raise money for patients struggling to find life-saving medicines in crisis-hit Lebanon. Lebanon
Iran says US dollar officially ditched in trade with ally Russia The Islamic Republic took the step following the Russian president's meeting with Iran's leader in Tehran, where the two explored options on how to push back on international sanctions. Iran
Bahrain joins UAE’s industrial partnership Jordan and Egypt are already part of the group, which aims to establish joint industrial projects. Legacy: Gulf
Sisi advances Egypt's bid for BRICS membership President of the BRICS International Forum Purnima Anand revealed Egypt's interest in joining the group along with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and the position is to be discussed at the BRICS summit scheduled for next year in South Africa. Egypt
How realistic are Ankara’s hopes of trading in Turkish liras? While the Turkish lira continues to tumble, Turkey’s currency swaps with China and other countries have failed to live up to their stated objective of boosting trade in local currencies, official data show. Turkey
Iran's middle class priced out of housing market As housing costs in Iran see record increases, officials are exchanging blame. Iran
Israel-EU talks to resume for first time in decade EU foreign ministers agreed today to convene soon a meeting under the EU-Israel Association Council in order to regulate and advance relations between Brussels and Jerusalem. Israel
Lebanese initiative to support struggling zaatar producers Small-scale producers in Lebanon are struggling to stay in business due to harsh economic conditions, but projects like Mazeej are helping them to turn things around for the better. Lebanon
War in Ukraine leaves Lebanon hungry As wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia dwindle, Lebanese people are in danger of going hungry. Lebanon
Turkey’s economy stands to suffer from euro’s downturn The ramifications of the euro’s slide threaten to further stoke Turkey’s currency woes and soaring inflation. Turkey
