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
Saudi Aramco pursues diversification with artificial intelligence center The Saudi energy giant is flush with cash from oil sales abroad. Saudi Arabia
Analysis The Takeaway: Trump's revenge as Biden deal with Iran stymied by IRGC sanctions Russia backs Syrian attacks on opposition; Turkish inflation soars as result of Ukraine war; Iran-linked mob attacks Kurdish party offices in Iraq; new generation runs for election in Lebanon; Egypt rallies Africa climate consensus. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn
New Tunisian law targets those spreading 'fake news' about food shortages Tunisia’s president says he is waging a war on speculators hoarding food, but his new decree-law also includes an article that forbids the spreading of “false news and information” about food shortages and the supply chain. North Africa
Dubai partnering with Singapore to improve public transportation Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also working to make their public transit systems more environmentally friendly, though oil is still a major part of the Emirati economy. United Arab Emirates
Egypt, Israel expand economic ties Cairo and Tel Aviv strengthen trade and economic cooperation and increase their export capacity under the protocol of the Qualified Industrial Zone. Egypt
Japan to help struggling Palestinian tourism industry A Japanese nonprofit is also supporting a female-run dairy farm in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Tunisia's future darkens with dissolution of parliament Tunisia's president has taken a darker turn after unilaterally dissolving parliament and threatening to put elected deputies on trial. North Africa
Israel takes global lead in fintech Effects of the war in Ukraine set aside, the Israeli fintech sector is expected to continue growing this year and attract more global investments. Israel
Egypt cotton exports record high revenues despite Russia-Ukraine war Despite the Russian war on Ukraine and its negative repercussions on global trade, Egypt succeeded in exporting 50,000 tons, or up to 75%, of its cotton production this season. Egypt
Egypt turns to Suez Canal to boost revenues The waterway’s authority has announced significant increases in transit tolls in recent weeks that are expected to bring in much-needed additional resources to help Cairo navigate its economic challenges. Egypt
Turkey-Colombia trade doubles in 2021 Turkey has also sought good relations with Venezuela in South America. Turkey
Gaza’s poor, reconstruction projects victims of Russia-Ukraine war The Russia war on Ukraine took a toll on the Gaza Strip, where the vulnerable population is facing increasing hardships in securing basic necessities as a result of soaring prices, in addition to halting construction projects due to high prices of building materials. Palestine
