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
UN buys carrier to remove oil from FSO Safer ship near Yemen The FSO Safer fell into disarray after Houthi rebels seized control of it in the Red Sea, and it could cause an environmental disaster in war-torn Yemen. Gulf
US will 'protect' its technology against China theft in Middle East: Leaf Barbara Leaf, top Middle East official at the State Department told Al-Monitor that the Syrian government is participating in the drug trade, and blamed Iran for the failure of the nuclear deal. Iran
Saudi FM in Russia after Ukraine visit, talks mediation and energy ties The Saudi Foreign Minister and his Russian counterpart discussed a range of topics including the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral trade, oil market stability and the role of Syria during the Moscow meeting of senior officials on Thursday. Gulf
What businesses can expect from PDPL, Saudi Arabia's incoming data law Saudi Arabia’s new personal data protection law, which goes into effect next week, could significantly impact the cost of doing business for multinationals in the kingdom. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Arab women's group 'Khateera' dares to defy, one narrative at a time Khateera’s content ranges from misconceptions about women’s intelligence in society and women's unpaid labor, to heavier topics such as sexual rights and honor killings, toxic masculinity and the shame around periods in Middle East society. Gulf
UAE, Egypt to develop major green hydrogen project in Mauritania The UAE is interested in Africa's green hydrogen potential, but the lack of development in the country could prove challenging. Gulf
Iran says it signed 'aviation cooperation' memo with UAE The UAE and Iran have cordial economic and political relations, despite being on opposite sides of some regional rivalries. Iran
Saudi Arabia's New Murabba project to lure global investors, but at what cost? Ambitious project announcements are becoming an increasingly common feature of Saudi Arabia’s developmental aspirations. Robert Mogielnicki
UAE unblocks several Qatar news sites as ties between two nations warm Several Qatari-owned news websites had been inaccessible to UAE residents since relations worsened in 2016 over Doha's support for the Muslim Brotherhood, but at least four are now unblocked. Gulf
Saudi Arabia mulls tax relief for global companies relocating regional HQs On the sidelines of the International Conference on Justice that began on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia granted three foreign law firms licenses to practice in the country. Gulf
UAE's Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 head, calls for 7% emissions cut, swifter energy transition The Emirates’ Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber talked about the importance of carbon capture and hydrogen at the CERAWeek conference. Gulf
Russia to add Gulf countries to visa-free travel list Russia stated that it was preparing visa-free travel agreements with a total of 17 countries, which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Syria. Gulf
