AYA BATRAWY

Global Economy Correspondent

Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, easing the Gulf crisis

Kuwait’s foreign ministry says Saudi Arabia will lift a years-long embargo on Qatar, opening its airspace and land border in the first steps toward ending the Gulf crisis.

Saudi women’s rights activist sentenced to nearly 6 years

One of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights activists has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison under a vaguely worded counter-terrorism law.

Leading Saudi women’s activist referred to terrorism court

A leading Saudi women’s rights activist who’s been imprisoned for 2 1/2 years and drawn attention to the kingdom’s hard limits on dissent will be tried by a court established to oversee terrorism cases.

Trump slams global climate agreement Biden intends to rejoin

President Donald Trump is railing against the Paris climate accord and telling world leaders at a virtual summit that the agreement was designed to cripple the U.S. economy, not save the planet.

Pompeo touts Iran policy in Gulf ahead of Biden presidency

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is defending his tour of Arab Gulf states and the Trump administration’s continued efforts to squeeze Iran, even as a new U.S. administration led by Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House in January.

Saudi Aramco to issue bonds as it seeks cash amid oil slump

Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco says it will issue international bonds as it seeks a cash infusion to help pay for billions of dollars in dividends the company promised shareholders before the global coronavirus pandemic sent oil prices plummeting.

IMF: Nearly all Mideast economies hit by pandemic recession

The International Monetary Fund’s latest report shows that the coronavirus pandemic has pushed nearly all Mideast nations into the throes of an economic recession this year.

At UN, Pakistani leader says India sponsors anti-Muslim hate

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has assailed India’s Hindu nationalist government and its moves to cement control of Muslim-majority Kashmir, calling India a state sponsor of hatred and prejudice against Islam.

Saudi king’s rare address to UN showcases monarch in charge

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman made a rare address to the U.N. General Assembly, becoming only the second Saudi monarch to do so.

Profits slide for Dubai’s DP World port operator amid virus

International port operator DP World says profits are down 56% for the first half of the year, with earnings sliding to $333 million as coronavirus lockdowns and a global recession impact trade volume around the world.

A father, a sister, a son: Beirut blast takes a heavy toll

The enormous explosion in Beirut that killed scores of people, injured thousands and caused widespread destruction across Lebanon’s capital touched off widespread mourning for the victims.

New at Saudi hajj: Bottled holy water, sterilized pebbles

Saudi Arabia has issued guidelines for about 1,000 pilgrims who will be allowed to perform the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca later this month.

Saudi Arabia triples taxes, cuts $26B in costs amid pandemic

Saudi Arabia has tripled taxes on basic goods, raising them to 15%, and has announced spending cuts of around $26 billion as it grapples with blows from the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices on its economy.

Saudi Arabia ends death penalty for minors and floggings

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered an end to the death penalty for crimes committed by minors. That’s according to a statement Sunday by a top official.

No pay cuts, layoffs but Mideast firm rethinks food security

A Mideast company that’s one of the region’s biggest private employers has no plans to cut salaries or lay off any of its 44,000 workers, but the pandemic is changing its thinking about food security, retail and tourism.

Saudi Arabia halts parental visitation rulings to curb virus

The Saudi king has ordered the suspension of rulings and judicial orders regarding visitation rights of children of separated parents.

Trump says he expects Russia, Saudis to cut oil production

President Donald Trump says he expects Saudi Arabia and Russia will dramatically cut production and end an oil war that sent energy prices plummeting.

Dubai throws Emirates Air a cash lifeline as travel grounded

Dubai’s government says it will inject equity into Emirates airlines as the Middle East’s largest carrier has grounded nearly all of its flights at its hub due to coronavirus restrictions on travel.

Dubai’s Emaar posts $1.68B in profit, but revenue slips

Dubai’s premier developer Emaar Properties has posted net profits of $1.68 billion for 2019, but revenue slightly dipped for the builder of the world’s tallest tower as it faces an even tougher year ahead due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi forces destroy missile fired over capital Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Air Defense Forces say they have intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile over the capital.

UAE to suspend transit flights, Saudi Arabia imposes curfew

The United Arab Emirates, home to the world’s busiest international airport in Dubai, announced early Monday it was suspending all passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the country for two weeks to stymie the spread of a new virus.

Dubai’s Emirates cuts passenger flights to 13 destinations

Long-haul carrier Emirates says it has dramatically cut its passenger flight destinations from 145 locations to just 13 countries.

Saudis’ arrest of 2 princes called a warning to royal family

The arrest of two senior princes in Saudi Arabia had triggered speculation about King Salman’s health, or even a possible coup attempt.

Saudis’ arrest of 2 princes called a warning to royal family

Two people close to Saudi Arabia’s royal family say two senior princes are under arrest for not supporting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has consolidated control of all major levers of power with the support of his father, King Salman.

WHO racing to send supplies to countries as new virus surges

In Dubai, seven World Health Organization workers are racing to sort, package and send out hundreds of shipments of medical supplies to countries around the world.

Budget carrier flydubai slams Boeing for loss of business

Dubai’s budget carrier flydubai says that it has suffered considerable losses due to the grounding of Boeing’s Max around the world as it announced revenue last year dipped to $1.6 billion.

New virus hits Mideast airlines with $100M loss, group says

An airline industry trade association says the new coronavirus has already cost Middle East airlines about $100 million.

Iranian clerics keep shrines open, even as virus spreads

Shiite shrines attract tens of millions of visitors to Iran annually, raising concerns as the country grapples with the spread of the corona virus.

Pompeo meets with Oman’s new ruler amid US pressure on Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is meeting with the new ruler of Oman, a Gulf Arab country that has close ties with both Washington and Tehran and has previously provided a back channel for talks between the adversaries.

Pompeo in Saudi Arabia for visit focused on Iranian threats

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has met with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and the crown prince in a visit focused primarily on discussing security issues and threats from regional rival Iran.