Saudi Arabia
Saudi bank lending to private sector and government entities rises 10% in January
Saudi bank loans to the private sector and non-financial government entities rose 10% year on year to SAR3.43tn in January 2026, reflecting sustained credit growth across the kingdom's economy.
Helium shortage threatens semiconductor industry
Qatar’s gas disruption is tightening the supply of helium, a natural gas byproduct that is crucial for semiconductor manufacturing and medical imaging, rapidly pushing up prices.
Iran holds public funeral for 84 crew killed in destroyer Dena sinking
Tehran holds a citywide farewell for 84 sailors killed aboard destroyer Dena as Israel claims it killed Iran's security chief Ali Larijani and the Basij commander in overnight strikes on the capital.
Overnight strikes hit Tehran and Kermanshah as Iranian missiles and drones target Dubai
US and Israeli forces launched a fresh wave of strikes across Tehran, the Alborz province and Kermanshah in the early hours of March 17 allegedly killing key military figures.
Which straits will close next?
The International Energy markets are in chaos following the closure of Hormuz, however reports have emerged that houthi rebels in Yemen are demanding bribes from tankers passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the bottom of the Red Sea.
COMMENT: Escalating Middle East conflict raises risks of renewed European energy shock
After US President Donald Trump failed to deliver on his promise of a quick end to the conflict in Iran, the chances of a renewed European energy shock are rising quickly, says Oxford Economics.
COMMENT: Iran war brings Ukraine’s peace talks to a halt
The trump administration and Donald Trump personally have completely lost the ability to mediate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, says The Bell in a commentary.
Russia accuses US and Israel of unleashing unprecedented violence in Middle East
Russia's foreign ministry accuses the US and Israel of unleashing unprecedented violence in the Middle East and calls on all sides to halt hostilities as Hormuz shipping remains paralysed.
Iran targets US businesses in the Gulf
The IRGC announced an attack on an American financial institution in the Middle East over the weekend in retaliation for a hit on an Iranian bank in Tehran last week and warned all US businesses could become legitimate targets.
Discounts on Russia’s Urals blend oil fall to zero
Russia is poised to reap a major financial windfall from rising global oil prices due to the war in the Gulf, after the discounts on the Urals blend of oil fell to zero in the last week
The Iranian revolution has been reversed
In the first video US President Donald Trump released following the start of operation epic fury he calls on the Iranian people to rise up in what he called a “once in a generation opportunity” to take back control of their own country.
Trump calls on allies to send naval support to the Gulf
US President Donald Trump has demanded NATO allies and China send their warships to aid the US in reopening the Straits of Hormuz. Most have refused.
Warning of potential nuclear risk in Iran echoes Putin’s Ukraine war rhetoric
A senior adviser to US President Donald Trump has warned that escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could lead to “truly catastrophic” nuclear weapons use.
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Trump losing his patience with Zelenskiy
US President Donald Trump is losing his patience with Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reached out to the White House last week calling for supplies and criticised the White House decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russia.
IEA releases details of historic oil reserves release member shares
The International Energy Agency released details of the contribution by members to the “largest release of oil reserves in history” that it announced on March 11 to calm the oil market and bring down prices.
Satellites show extent of Iranian precision strikes
The Trump administration restricted access to real time commercial satellite images of the Middle East after images showed the effectiveness and extent of the damage Iranian powerful precision missile strikes have done to key US assets.