Kenya Airways (KQ) has reported a significant surge in flight demand, attributing the increase to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the US-Israeli war on Iran.

• Flight load factors have risen from approximately 70 percent in January to nearly 100 percent.
• The airline, led by acting CEO George Kamal, is experiencing the most gains on routes from Europe, the US, and Asia.
• Kenya Airways currently has about 56 days of jet fuel supply and is seeking additional fuel from India.

The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) is warning businesses across its member states against exploiting the Middle East crisis for price gouging and engaging in anti-competitive practices.

• The commission is particularly concerned about potential hikes in fertilizer and food prices due to oil price shocks and rising logistics costs.
• The warning comes from CCCC Chief Executive Officer Willard Mwemba.
• The CCCC stated it will "unapologetically enforce competition and consumer laws" and urged the public to report suspected violations.

Asian stock markets experienced a significant downturn as tensions between the United States and Iran threatened to escalate, with the conflict entering its fourth week.

• Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell nearly 3.6%, and South Korea's Kospi dropped by almost 6%.
• US President Donald Trump warned of targeting Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz shipping route is not opened.
• The International Energy Agency chief, Fatih Birol, stated the situation could lead to the world's worst energy crisis in decades.

Global oil prices plummeted and stock markets rallied after US President Donald Trump announced progress in talks aimed at halting the conflict in the Middle East.

• The price of Brent crude sank 13% following the announcement.
• President Trump stated he would "POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE" for five days.
• The conflict had previously raised fears of a prolonged war, impacting major oil and LNG shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of global supply.