Analysis Can Gulf states slash costly reliance on Western consultancies? A one-year ban on PwC acquiring work in Saudi Arabia has highlighted the Gulf states' dependency on Western firms and the need to develop local consultancies and talent. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Can Saudi Arabia afford giga-projects with oil prices under $75 per barrel? Riyadh could soon run a current account deficit as oil revenue declines amid huge spending commitments toward ambitious Vision 2030 projects. Saudi-led OPEC has also deferred an output increase plan to allow more time to reach desired oil prices. By Jennifer Gnana , Samuel Wendel
UAE's final unit of Barakah nuclear reactor hooked to grid: What we know The Emirates is the only Gulf country with a nuclear power program, though neighboring Saudi Arabia also has atomic power ambitions. United Arab Emirates
Saudi entity denies its ship hit as Houthis claim attack on Greek tanker Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri denied reports that its tanker Amjad came under attack by the Houthis, the Yemeni armed group that has stepped up attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea. Yemen
Analysis Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Iran's IRGC seizes second oil tanker in Gulf waters in six days, says US Navy The incident happened off UAE coast of Fujairah and involved a Panama-flagged Niovi vessel. Iran
Should the US worry about China's expanding influence in the Gulf? China's hosting of a diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia signals a different kind of Chinese interest in the Persian Gulf. Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
UAE reprimands cryptocurrency firm OPNX The company, which is planning a transparent crypto platform, allegedly did not receive the necessary regulatory authority from the UAE. Gulf
Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia top MidEast recipients of US visas in 2022 Citizens from the MENA region received about 480,000 non-immigrant visas, or about 7% of the total 6.8 million visas issued globally. Israel
Qatari royal to invest $1bn more in Manchester United bid: report Despite the sweetened offer from the Qatari banker, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be the favorite to buy the English soccer club, according to reports. Gulf
UAE airports record 56.3% bump in traffic as Saudi Arabia tries to compete Saudi Arabia recently launched Riyadh Air in an effort to boost its air travel industry. Gulf
Saudi Arabia and China’s Baosteel to establish steel complex Saudi entities, including oil giant Aramco, have made a number of agreements with Chinese entities in the past year as Sino-Saudi ties continue to gain momentum. Gulf
In a shift, Saudi Arabia to 'welcome' LGBTQ tourists The Saudi Tourism Authority said that authorities do not ask for personal details in this regard. The position follows social changes the kingdom is undergoing, though it is difficult to determine the exact status of LGBTQ people in the country. Gulf
Saudi Arabia seizes 5 million Captagon pills in latest bust A Saudi raid is the latest in a series of drug busts that has seen nearly weekly arrests inby the country for transporting, selling and promoting drug use since March. Gulf
Careem’s $400M deal signals Middle East telecoms becoming go-to tech investors Careem's latest mega-deal for $400 million points to a growing investment role for leading telecom companies in the region. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Egypt frees long-held Al Jazeera journalist amid thaw with Qatar The release of Hisham Abdelaziz comes as Egypt and Qatar are working to normalize their relations after years of tension, even as Cairo continues its crackdown on journalists. Egypt
Jordan hosts meeting to facilitate Syria’s return to Arab League Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq are meeting in Jordan as Syria’s political reintegration into the Arab world accelerates. Jordan
