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
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange continues to reach historic highs The TA 125 index’s growth is being led by banks and not Israel’s large tech sector. Israel
Israeli innovations in medical tech embraced worldwide In Europe, the US, Africa, and now also in Gulf states, hospitals and healthcare systems are adopting Israeli med-tech companies' new products. Israel
Egypt hopes Israeli tourists will make up losses from Ukraine war At a time when Egypt’s tourism sector has suffered a setback due to the war in Ukraine, the first direct flight from Israel is set to land in Sharm el-Sheikh this month, which may boost the number of Israeli tourists in the Egyptian coastal resorts in the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Free trade agreement opens new horizons for Israel, UAE The economy and trade ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates concluded last week negotiations on a ground-breaking agreement for a free trade zone, the first of its kind Israel has ever reached with an Arab country. Israel
Israel's tech future lies with Arab entrepreneurs An increasing number of Israeli Arabs are taking the bold step of launching their own startup companies. Israel
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