New Murabba, Banque Misr Sanctions & Taco Bell UAE

Saudi Arabia appoints PIF veteran Sabah Barakat to lead New Murabba as the kingdom elevates Saudi executives across major institutions. Washington targets Banque Misr’s UAE branches in the first measure since Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared an “economic D-Day” against Iran. And Mohamed Alabbar-led Americana Restaurants signs an exclusive agreement to bring Taco Bell back to the UAE after 14 years, starting in Dubai. Today’s stories track changing leadership, financial pressure and consumer expansion across three of the region’s biggest markets.