Airlines suspend Sudan flights after Saudi plane hit by gunfire

A number of Middle Eastern airlines have banned flights after the power struggle between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group turned deadly on Saturday.

Legacy: Gulf

Analysis

Why is trade between Algeria and Spain still at a standstill?

Since last June, the two countries have severed business and trade relations over Spain's support of Morocco's claim to the contested Western Sahara.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Oil flow from Iraqi Kurdistan to Turkey remains stopped, threatening sector

Oil flows to Turkey remain frozen following the agreement between Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. The impasse could hurt the autonomous region’s oil sector and revenue.

Turkey

Saudi Arabia opens four special economic zones with eye on foreign investment

The special economic zones offer incentives such as competitive corporate tax rates, 100% ownership of companies and flexibility in employing foreign labor.

Legacy: Gulf

Moody’s downgrades Israel’s credit outlook

Despite calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, Moody's has changed Israel's credit outlook from "positive" to "stable."

Israel

From fields to clouds: the Middle East's bid for the digital economy

In recent years, the Middle East has made efforts to capitalize on the massive long-term upside of the digital economy. This new Pro Trend Report takes a deep dive into those efforts and if they'll pay off.

Analysis

Ball now in Tunisia's court regarding $1.9bn IMF bailout

Officials from the IMF, the World Bank and Italy have all commented on the proposed bailout package this week as a Tunisian delegation joins the spring meeting of the multilateral institutions in Washington.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Oman activates first floating desalination plant 

The mobile desalination plants are meant to service 70 seaport villages and are the first of their kind in the Arab world.

Legacy: Gulf

UAE will not ‘jeopardize’ rules to attract Russian wealth: Trade minister

The Emirates has been criticized for hosting companies engaged in sanctions-busting following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but is making efforts to clean up its act.

Legacy: Gulf

China’s growing role in Middle East won’t solve Iran’s economic woes

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

South Africa to appeal UAE ruling against extradition of Gupta brothers

The UAE said on April 7 that South Africa's extradition request did not meet legal documentation standards and that the two brothers wanted for money laundering and fraud would be released from custody.

Legacy: Gulf

UAE bets on agtech to meet food security targets ahead of COP28

The UAE had the strongest food security in the region last year. Focusing on agtech is helping it achieve local food production goals.

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech