Egypt’s Sisi, Putin meet as Russia steps up Africa push: What to know Wednesday’s meeting comes on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day gathering in Moscow bringing together African leaders and officials. Egypt
Canada, UAE sign trade pact as Ottawa seeks to diversify beyond US The agreement is set to broadly lift tariffs on key products as Canadian officials hope to boost bilateral trade to $7 billion within a decade. United Arab Emirates
Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Saudi Arabia postpones 'Davos in the Desert' until 2027 amid Houthi attacks The Future Investment Initiative, which typically attracts the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in business, finance, and technology to Riyadh, will now be held next year. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Lebanon's PM Diab condemns Tripoli protest violence Protesters demanding an end to the lockdown set fire on Thursday night to several buildings in the impoverished city of Tripoli. Lebanon
Nigerians stuck in Saudi Arabia are flown home Foreigners working in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have gotten stranded throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Hi-tech rivalry between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh heats up Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman is sparing no effort to lure business from the IT and other sectors in Abu Dhabi to the kingdom. Originals
Iraq's reform budget heads to parliament Parliament is debating the 2021 budget, which is the first budget drafted based on the White Paper for economic reform. Iraq
Egypt’s back on gold production map after loosening mining regulations The gold industry in Egypt has recently witnessed a boom after the Egyptian government amended mining regulations to attract foreign investors, while President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi plans to build a jewelry-making city. Originals
How delays at Sudan’s largest port could actually boost trade with Egypt Analysts expect the four-month suspension in Port Sudan to accelerate the launch of the Transit Trade Agreement between Egypt and Sudan and eventually bring economic and political benefits to Egypt. Egypt
Turkey’s ‘wealthless’ wealth fund a tangle of problems Turkey’s sovereign wealth fund is under mounting criticism for being exempt from public auditing despite using major public assets in its transactions. Turkey
France scores big Iraqi construction project at Turkey's expense A French company has beaten out a Turkish one for the Mosul airport project; political considerations along with economic concerns seem to have factored into Baghdad's decision. Iraq
Jordan bets on GCC deal to boost economy Jordan has attempted to remain neutral in the Gulf feud that erupted in 2017 when a Saudi-led bloc of nations cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. The kingdom has welcomed the agreement recently signed to end the Gulf dispute. Jordan
PA shuts down Palestinian Airlines, shuttering hopes for airport The Palestinian Authority decides to shut down the Palestinian Airlines, which is seen as a symbol of sovereignty, citing financial burdens and maintenance costs of its only two aircrafts. Palestine
Is the worst behind in Turkey’s economic turmoil? Ankara’s policy reversal on interest rates has led to some positive developments in the economy, but many observers warn that it is still too early to rejoice. Turkey
Iraq devalues dinar to boost economy, factory production The Central Bank of Iraq cuts the value of the dinar against the dollar in the context of policies to address Iraq's economic crisis. Iraq
