The report "Regulatory Reform in the Middle East and North Africa" assesses progress in the implementation of regulatory policy within the MENA region and highlights good practices from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority and Tunisia.

“Life is full of alternatives but no choice.” G20 leaders at the summit in Brisbane, Australia, in November should reflect on these words by Australian writer Patrick White, a Nobel Laureate, as they prepare their economic strategies for the years to come.

‘Orwell had me convinced that clear speech was an auxiliary to truth, until Trump came along’

Saudi Arabia is following Qatar and the UAE in spending big on sporting events

Lex argues that GKN shareholders must accept hostile offer from Melrose

Ever since I was knee-high to Nosferatu, I have loved steps and stairs on screen

As ‘slum priests’ try to fill the gap left by the state, the populist movement is on the rise again

Once known for its resilience, the country’s fragile financial system has triggered angry protests

In 2008, it was decided an over-leveraged banking system must be bailed in by the private sector. Post lock-down the exact opposite is true.

The surrealist art of Salvador Dalí is thought to embody all that is unnatural — but, in fact, the natural world is the wellspring of his work

Compost plugs let you bypass seed sowing and are cheaper than bedding plants

Frail residents in overwhelmed sector emerge as the hidden victims of the Covid-19 crisis

Studies focus on Bame groups who are over-represented in Covid-19 cases

Successful leadership depends on context, collaboration and character

This season’s hottest trend takes in all things Japanese - from Macaque to Japandi

In America, lawsuits are the way we make up new rules in a crisis

Many in Washington say Trump’s mini-deal with Beijing was a vehicle for political boasts

These governments desperately need financial breathing space to fight the pandemic

How Carlo Ferrini went from top consultant to being awarded winemaker of the year three times

‘Minerality is a character that has nothing to do with anything fruity, veggy, oaky, flowery or spicy’

Don’t be snobbish about wine in cans, pouches or cartons. Glass bottles have a far higher carbon footprint

Facebook and Google show resilience through the crisis thanks to uptick in ‘direct response’ ads

The Polish novelist on confronting history and her battles with the nationalist right

Matthew Engel tours Middle England in search of the root of voter disillusionment

A devastating missile and drone attack on Saudi oil installations last week highlighted the vulnerability of global oil supplies to the threat of regional unrest. The attack was claimed by Houthi rebels fighting Saudi-backed forces in neighbouring Yemen, but Saudi and US officials were quick to point the finger of blame at Iran. Geoff Dyer discusses the repercussions of the attack for the region and the oil market with Andrew England, Middle East editor, and Anjli Raval, senior energy correspondent.

Contributors: Geoff Dyer, analysis editor, Andrew England, Middle East editor, and Anjli Raval, senior energy correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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The French luxury goods group LMVH has made a surprise $14.5bn offer for Tiffany’s, the New York jeweller immortalised in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  Harriet Agnew and Vanessa Holder talk to Katie Martin about whether the takeover bid will succeed and the merits for both sides in the current geopolitical climate.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Harriet Agnew, Paris correspondent and Vanessa Houlder, Lex writer. Producers: Persis Love and Fiona Symon

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Around the world a pensions crisis is looming. Retirees are having their pensions cuts while governments and fund managers look for new strategies. Josephine Cumbo, pensions correspondent and Robin Wigglesworth, global finance correspondent tell Claer Barrett why pension funds are investing in riskier assets and what this means for the future of retirement.

Contributors: Claer Barrett, personal finance editor, Josephine Cumbo, pensions correspondent and Robin Wigglesworth, global finance correspondent. Producer: Persis Love

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Taylor Swift’s anger over the sale of her back catalogue shines a light on the role of investment in today’s music industry. Anna Nicolaou and Jamie Powell tell Alex Barker about Swift’s dispute with her former record label and how investments are changing in the streaming era of music.

Contributors: Alex Barker, global media editor, Anna Nicolaou, US media correspondent and Jamie Powell, Alphaville reporter. Producer: Persis Love

Music credit: Taylor Swift, Shake It Off, Big Machine Records

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Higher education should not be treated as just another business

FT's Robert Armstrong looks at a disconnect between the US stock market and the economy

Producers’ realised prices are lower than they appear, while traders are braced for more turmoil

Tesla’s decision to buy liability cover from Elon Musk instead of a traditional insurer comes after premiums shot up

Uncertainty over loan forbearance prevents savings being passed on

Putting aside £100 a week is just a pipe dream — and what would it achieve anyway?

Amid charges of greenwashing from activists, the private company is investing in football, cycling and other ventures

While scientists disagree about their use, donning a mask can have an important social impact

Your guide to the investment and business revolution you can’t afford to ignore

Transport demand will rebound while the pandemic will reboot the use of plastics

Good morning and welcome back to TechCrunch’s Equity Monday, a jumpstart for your week. Regular Equity episodes still drop each and every Friday morning, so if you’ve listened to the show over the years, don’t worry — we’re only adding to the mix. You can catch last week’s show with Danny Crichton and Natasha Mascarenhas right here if […]

In a choice between discussing the WTO and the WHO, I’d take a rules-of-origin trade debate any day

It has near-unlimited firepower and is the only EU institution willing and able to act

Vaping is a controversial habit: it certainly has its downsides, but anecdotally it’s a fantastic smoking cessation aid. The thing is, until behavioral scientists know a bit more about who does it, when, how much and other details, its use will continue to be something of a mystery. That’s where the PuffPacket comes in. Designed […]

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey might not spend six months a year in Africa, claims the real product development is under the hood and gives an excuse for deleting Vine before it could become TikTok. Today he tweeted, via Twitter’s investor relations account, a multi-pronged defense of his leadership and the company’s progress. The proclamations come […]

The importance of data-driven decision-making.

Talk to these three people -- who are more likely to tell you 'no' -- before handing over your hard-earned cash for a franchise business.

Find out how to let the world know what you're doing with these easy-to-follow tips.

After overcoming challenges at a young age, the makeup mogul is living the sweet life with her cruelty-free cosmetics brand.

This week, it was the turn of Laura Carmichael, who plays the dowdy Lady Edith in Downton Abbey, to ditch her usually safe pastels for a darkly dramatic evening gown, slashed to the thigh.

British actor Simon Jones discusses his role as King George V in the new Downton Abbey movie. It marked the first time he had ridden a horse on set since Brideshead Revisited.

Ioan Gruffudd is set to return to ITV's Liar as Andrew Earlham next month. Father-of-two who lives in LA, says he's now 'old and weathered enough' to represent anti-heroes.