About $650 billion in trade flows are affected, with global maritime routes facing growing disruption and uncertainty risks.

Reports suggest some of Trump’s advisers would prefer Israel to initiate any strike, calculating that American public opinion would be more supportive if Washington were seen as backing an ally rather than acting unilaterally.

Several governments have urged their citizens to leave Iran immediately, while others are pulling non-essential embassy personnel from sensitive locations, citing security concerns.

Negotiations between Tehran and Beijing began at least two years ago but gained momentum after a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June, a Reuters report said.

Six coffee shops from the Middle East have secured places in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 list, highlighting the region’s growing reputation as a global specialty coffee destination. The second edition of the annual ranking, presented in partnership with DaVinci Gourmet, was announced at CoffeeFest Madrid on February...

Speaking ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu outlined a plan to establish what he called a “hexagon alliance system” involving India, select Arab and African countries, Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and several unnamed Asian nations.

Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, stressed that any talk of control over the occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a flagrant violation of international legitimacy.

As Gulf states race to build sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure, the real opportunity lies in pooling capital, standards and talent to avoid costly digital duplication.

The report, Impacts of Multinational Corporations: What Citizen-Consumers Want from Foreign Companies Doing Business in Their Country, draws on a survey of more than 23,500 adults across 31 countries conducted in late 2025.

In his latest post on Truth Social, Trump did not mention the protests but said Iran needed to negotiate a deal over its nuclear programme, which the West believes is aimed at making an atomic bomb.

In the MENA region, we see an extraordinary opportunity to shape a digitally empowered workforce aligned with national transformation agendas, says Sahil Dhawan, president and head of Tech Mahindra for India, Middle East & Africa.

AI, geopolitics, climate, and demographics are reshaping the Middle East’s growth model beyond oil.

MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and chief operating officer (COO) of ExploreTECH.

The Middle East and North Africa region is expected to outperform the global economy in 2026, with GDP projected to grow by 3.6% year on year compared to global growth of 3.1%

Dubai, UAE - Deloitte Middle East has announced the launch of its Middle East Centre of Excellence for Oracle AI Agents, a specialized innovation platform aimed at accelerating the adoption of agentic AI – AI capable of autonomous thinking and action to enhance human decision-making – throughout the region. Bringing...

Washington, United States - US President Donald Trump has undeniably scored a diplomatic victory by helping to broker a truce for Gaza, but the path to the lasting peace he says he wants for the Middle East is littered with obstacles. And it remains to be seen whether the 79-year-old...

The announcement comes soon after President Donald Trump signed an executive order vowing to defend the Gulf Arab state against attacks, following Israeli air strikes targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital Doha.

Across the region, countries are aligning national visions with real investment in health, longevity, and quality of life.

Tony Blair, Britain's former prime minister whose legacy was heavily tarnished by the 2003 war in Iraq, has long been a contentious figure in the Middle East and beyond.

Budapest, Hungary -- Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air said Monday that it would end its Abu Dhabi operations, which have struggled to turn a profit in the conflict-hit region. The airline will exit its  Abu Dhabi hub starting from September. The seventh biggest European airlines in terms of daily flights...

Netanyahu's third visit since Trump's return to power comes at a crucial time, with the US president hoping to capitalize on the momentum from a recent truce between Israel and Iran.

Washington, United States -- Conflicts and related fatalities have more than tripled since the early 2000s, fueling extreme poverty, the World Bank said Friday. Economies in fragile and conflict-affected regions have become "the epicenter of global poverty and food insecurity, a situation increasingly shaped by the frequency and intensity of...

Economists at MUFG warned of "high uncertainty of the outcomes and duration of this war", giving a "scenario analysis" of an oil price increase of $10 per barrel.

Iran and Israel have been at war for nine days after Israel, claiming the Islamic republic was on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon, launched a massive wave of strikes on its arch-rival, triggering an immediate response from Tehran

As tourism booms across the Middle East and Africa, travel brands face fierce competition. Success now means using data-driven, personalized marketing to reach high-intent, mobile-first travelers at every stage—before, during, and after their journeys.

Despite international alarm, neither side has backed off from the long-range blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

Oil prices rallied Tuesday after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war as Israel and Iran continued to pound each other with missiles.

Trump warns Tehran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Iran should cut a deal to roll back its nuclear program "before there is nothing left".

Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, Premium, Midscale, and Economy Division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at Accor, spells out the Group's motto of "pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures with heartfelt care."

Key developments across the Middle East today highlight regional diplomatic, economic and humanitarian trends

Dubai, UAE – The Middle East’s tourism sector is poised for unprecedented expansion, with a new report predicting a 50 percent surge in travel spending by 2030, reaching nearly $350 billion. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, compiled by Tourism Economics for Arabian Travel Market (ATM), highlights the region’s rapid...

Dubai, UAE - Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again secured the top spot in the Airports Council International’s (ACI) 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the recognition as a testament to the airport’s strategic importance in global...

Both main crude contracts jumped around one percent after CNN reported multiple US officials as saying the government had received intelligence indicating Israel was preparing to target Iranian atomic facilities.

Jerusalem, Undefined -- US President Donald Trump's decision to skip over Israel in his Middle East tour was just the latest sign of a shifting dynamic between the historic allies. From nuclear talks with Iran, a ceasefire deal in Yemen and the announcement of lifting sanctions on Syria, Trump has...

In the days before the trip, the White House has played an instrumental part in hammering out a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, the release of an American hostage in Gaza and holding another round of nuclear talks with Iran.

The hospital was established in 2006 to treat victims of the sectarian violence that erupted in Iraq in the aftermath of the US-led invasion, but has since expanded its mission.

Saudi Arabia, along with Russia and six other members of the oil cartel, will implement a production adjustment of 411,000 barrels a day out of the ground, as in May, according to a OPEC+ statement, whereas the initial plan called for an increase of just 137,000 barrels.

The Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity outlook emphasizes how GCC countries have reduced their dependence on oil and gas, opened their capital markets, and diversified their economies — all underpinned by strong fiscal positions that bolster investor confidence.

"Growth is still projected to increase in 2025 and 2026, but at a considerably slower pace than anticipated last October," the IMF said in its regional report.

Dubai, UAE: The Arabian Travel Market, which will take place from Apr 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring together professionals and leaders from all travel sectors and verticals including leisure, business events (MICE), luxury and corporate travel sectors. At a press conference, RX Global,...

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - This weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is the final leg of the first 'triple header' of the season. From Suzuka in Japan, to the desert of Bahrain, Formula One now pitches up on the shores of the Red Sea in Jeddah.AFP Sport looks at five talking...

Analysts had said the US would push to include on the agenda discussions over Iran's ballistic missile programme, along with Tehran's support for the "axis of resistance" -- a network of militant groups opposed to Israel.

Last month, Trump sent a letter to Khamenei, who has the final say in matters of state in Iran, calling for direct negotiations but warning of military action if the diplomacy fails.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, becoming the first foreign leader to personally plead for a reprieve from stinging US tariffs that have shaken the world.

Gold and oil prices climbed on fears of escalating tensions in the Middle East after Israel launched its most intense strikes on Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas took effect. Uncertainty ahead of a telephone call about Ukraine between Trump and Putin also helped boost the safe-haven metal.

PwC forecasts that AI could contribute US$320 billion to Middle Eastern economies by 2030, with healthcare predicted to see some of the largest gains relative to its current size

Geneva, Switzerland -- More than one million people have returned to their homes in Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, including 280,000 refugees who came back from abroad, the UN said on Tuesday. Assad was toppled in December in a rebel offensive, putting an end to his family's decades-long grip...

Dubai, UAE -- The International Monterey Fund (IMF) has projected global growth to remain at 3.3 percent this year and the next, before slowing to just above 3 percent over the next five years, well below the historical average. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that growth in the Middle...

Davos, Switzerland -- The Middle East, Africa, and India have an important role and influence in shaping the evolving world order and driving innovation, particularly in technology adoption and sustainable practices, said Ram Ramachandran, Senior VP India, Middle East, and Africa at Tech Mahindra, India’s leading provider of technology consulting and...

Beyond AI, new technologies will leverage artificial intelligence to drive the next phase of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Alphaeus Hanson, Chair of Jacksonville Global Shapers tells TRENDS in an interview.