Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Oil spill darkens Egyptian tourist town Ahead of the Cop27, an oil spill in Egypt highlights the country’s inability to deal with environmental disasters. Egypt
On visit to Algeria, France’s Macron advances post-colonial reconciliation The presidents of France and Algeria signed Aug. 27 a pact for a new partnership between the two countries, announcing the setting up of a joint historian commission to explore the colonial period, alleged French crimes and the bloody eight-year independence war. Algeria
Israel to invest more in Egyptian renewable energy projects Israel plans to invest more in the field of power generation with renewable energy in Egypt, after two Israeli companies announced a major plan to carry out several projects to this effect. Egypt
UAE non-oil trade increases as Gulf state seeks reduced oil dependence The news follows trade agreements the Gulf state made with Israel and India. United Arab Emirates
Oil smuggling in Syria worsens pollution in Euphrates River The residents living near the Euphrates River in northeast Syria are suffering the consequences of water pollution mainly caused by oil spills resulting from smuggling operations between the areas held by the Kurdish forces and the Syrian government. Syria
Leaking tankers threaten health, livelihoods along Yemen's coast A series of recent pollution incidents in the port of Aden has brought newfound urgency to addressing the hazardous vessels. Legacy: Gulf
Oil prices fall to another low Saudi Arabia has benefited from high oil prices this year, though prices appear to be falling somewhat on the back of production increases. Legacy: Gulf
Security unrest sparks protests in southern Libya, threatens oil output The Libyan oil sector is once again threatened amid security and political turmoil, most recently with protests breaking out in the oil-rich southern region, which has been marginalized for years. North Africa
Saudi Arabia secures funding for electricity interconnection with Egypt Egypt just approved a plan to ration electricity, though the government said there is not a shortage of power. Egypt
Fourth Turkish drilling ship begins energy exploration in Mediterranean Past Turkish energy exploration activities took place in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus, leading to significant tensions. Turkey
Saudi Arabia-China relations strengthen with Aramco-Sinopec deal The ties between China and Saudi Arabia are largely based on trade and energy cooperation. Saudi Arabia
Breaking | Last Updated: August 3, 2022, 11:48 am OPEC+ agrees to small oil production increase US President Joe Biden may have been hoping for a larger boost in production. Legacy: Gulf
