UAE’s cash request tests US ties as Iran war strains Gulf financial muscle Amid growing economic fallout from the regional war, Abu Dhabi’s bombshell request for a war-time financial lifeline from the United States is less about cash and more about clout — for now. United Arab Emirates
IEA delivers grim gas supply forecast as oil notches 15% weekly rise A wave of new LNG supplies will be delayed for at least two years due to war-related damage to Qatari energy infrastructure, according the International Energy Agency's latest market update. Qatar
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
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
Emirates suspends check-in as Dubai airport grapples with flood backlog Amid the devastating floods that have paralyzed the UAE, Emirates suspending check-in for travellers with onward connections through Dubai Friday. United Arab Emirates
Google fires 28 staffers after protesting Israel cloud contract More than two dozen staff members have been fired after being arrested for protesting Google’s involvement in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion Israeli government cloud contract that also includes e-commerce giant Amazon. Israel
Did Gaza protests force Algeria's first KFC restaurant to close? Three days after opening its first branch in Algeria, KFC is facing protests over alleged support for Israel amid conflicting reports on its closure on Wednesday. Algeria
Dubai floods bring travel to halt after heaviest UAE rainfall on record The National Center of Meteorology said the downpour was the largest volume of rainfall the UAE has experienced since data collection started 75 years ago. United Arab Emirates
Starbucks pledges $3M to World Central Kitchen for Gaza meals The coffee giant has announced a large donation to the aid group World Central Kitchen, which lost seven of its staff members earlier this month in an Israeli airstrike. Palestine
UK’s easyJet suspends Israel flights through October after Iran attack Britain’s biggest low-cost airline has suspended all service to Israel following Iran’s unprecedented attack on the Jewish state over the weekend. Israel
Microsoft pumps $1.5B into UAE's G42 amid US-China tech power struggle Washington reportedly threatened to punish G42 if it did not reduce its ties with Beijing and strengthen its US commitments. United Arab Emirates
Turkey: Meta temporarily shuts down Threads following government order It remains unclear whether the platform will become available again in Turkey. Turkey
How Iran's attack on Israel is disrupting air traffic The weekend's Iranian attack has massively disrupted air traffic across the region. Israel
Can Turkey’s economic czar stick to belt-tightening after election loss? The Turkish government hopes that its remaining four-year mandate will give it time to placate popular anger before the next polls. Turkey
EU releases another $1.06B to Egypt to boost fragile economy The European Union's latest package of support for the North African country's economic recovery follows an $8 billion deal announced March 17. Egypt
Lufthansa extends Tehran flights ban as Iran-Israel tensions flare The Middle East remains on high alert after a suspected Israeli airstrike killed seven senior Iranian commanders in Damascus April 1. Iran