World briefing · 28 October 2026
Iraq Lifts Foreign Ownership Ban; Spain Train Collision Disrupts
Iraq opens to foreign investors as Spain's train collision disrupts logistics and tourism, impacting business operations in both regions.
The picture
Deteriorating 14 · Stable 11 · Improving 2 · Mixed 10 (37 countries) · How this is judged →
Iraq's business environment is improving as a court ruling lifts the ban on foreign ownership, inviting increased capital inflow. In Spain, a train collision in Toledo has disrupted the AVE high-speed rail services, affecting logistics and tourism sectors between Madrid and Andalusia. These developments highlight significant shifts in business conditions, with Iraq seeing positive momentum and Spain facing operational challenges.
Regulatory risk
Court Rules Ba'athist Ban on Foreign Ownership Unconstitutional
Impact Foreign investors can now own assets and invest in Iraqi companies, increasing capital inflow.
Sources: Iraq Business News ↗
Netherlands imposes nationwide poultry restrictions
Impact Poultry farmers in the Netherlands face operational disruptions as they must confine birds indoors to comply with new regulations.
Sources: NOS.nl ↗, Omroep Brabant ↗, NRC ↗, Telegraaf.nl ↗
Chancellor Healey scraps gas bill standing charges
Impact Gas suppliers and households will see changes in billing structures, affecting energy sector revenues and consumer expenses.
Sources: The Independent ↗, London Evening Standard ↗, Herald Scotland ↗
Gas prices to rise from November 1 in France
Impact Energy consumers in France will face higher costs due to the gas price increase starting November 1.
Sources: DNA Économie ↗, Le Dauphiné Économie ↗
Operational risk
Train collision in Toledo disrupts AVE services
Impact Logistics and tourism sectors face delays and cancellations due to the suspension of high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.
Sources: La Razon ↗, Libertad Digital ↗
Cyclone Arnab causes severe disruption in Andhra Pradesh
Impact Logistics operators and public services in Andhra Pradesh face severe disruptions due to Cyclone Arnab.
Sources: Aajtak ↗
Panama Canal drought impacts global shipping
Impact Logistics firms and importers of energy and consumer goods face delays and increased shipping costs.
Sources: CGTN Business ↗
Houthi attacks on Aden Airport threaten aviation safety
Impact Airlines and logistics firms face increased risks and operational disruptions due to the attacks on Aden Airport.
Sources: hshd.net ↗
Stability risk
50,000 Ethiopian Refugees Enter Kenya Amid Violence
Impact Public services and logistics in northern Kenya are under pressure from the refugee influx, affecting resource allocation.
Sources: Capital ↗
Political risk
Portugal's 2027 budget passes amid housing protests
Impact Public-sector planners and housing developers face a new fiscal landscape with reduced funding for housing initiatives.
Sources: Público ↗, RTP ↗, Expresso ↗
Each headline links to the story in its country briefing, where every source is linked.
Countries published today
- Argentina: Argentina Bonds Rebound; Bunge Plant Closure Protest Stable
- Brazil: New Tax Rate Proposed, Political Boycotts Rise Mixed
- Canada: Bank of Canada Rate Hike, New Immigration Fines
- China: China Tightens Cadre Rules, Panama Canal Disrupts Trade
- Colombia: ISA Board Changes, Energy Supply Scrutiny Stable
- Egypt: Egypt Diversifies Imports, Sisi in Russia Stable
- France: Senate Approves Content Law, Gas Prices Rise Mixed
- Germany: Deutsche Bank Profits, A23 Traffic Chaos Stable
- India: Cyclone Arnab Hits, DPDP Law Amendments, AI Power Strain
- Indonesia: Rupiah Weakens, Student Protests Turn Violent
- Iran: Iran Tightens Emission Rules, Rial Stabilizes Stable
- Iraq: Iraq Court Lifts Foreign Ownership Ban, Pharma Imports Approved Improving
- Israel: Election Stalemate Hits Markets, Likud Alleges Fraud
- Italy: Italy Approves 2027 Budget, Diesel Tax Cut Reinstated Stable
- Japan: Chiba Earthquake Hits, Shipping Costs Surge
- Jordan: Flood Damage Repairs and Fuel Price Hike
- Kenya: Tea Levy Suspended, Refugee Crisis at Border Mixed
- Lebanon: Beirut Airport Power Outage, USD Gains on Euro
- Malaysia: Malaysia-US Trade Surge; Sanglang Port Development Improving
- Mexico: Mexico Visa Fees Surge, Military FDI Veto Approved Mixed
- Morocco: Energy Prices Surge, Port Expansions Accelerate Mixed
- Netherlands: Bird Flu Restrictions, Dutch Tax Plan Stalls
- Nigeria: Dangote Refinery IPO, Lagos Health Insurance Deadline Stable
- Poland: Fuel Price Changes, Orlen Legal Move Stable
- Portugal: Portugal Budget Passes, CP Strike Canceled Mixed
- Russia: Moscow Index Rises, Central Bank Adjusts Rates Mixed
- Senegal: Senegal Budget Cuts, Health Measures for Youth Olympics
- South Africa: KZN Protests Escalate, Taxi Violence Erupts
- South Korea: Samsung Faces FTC Penalty, KOSPI Surges 4.54% Mixed
- Spain: Train Collision Halts AVE, Barcelona Protests Intensify
- Syria: Floods Disrupt Supply Chains, Syria-Iraq Economic Talks
- Turkey: Severe Weather Warnings, Trade Surplus Rise Mixed
- Ukraine: Oleshky Truce Holds, Kyiv Power Stable, Drug Supply Issues Stable
- United Kingdom: UK Budget Unveiled, Gas Charges Scrapped Mixed
- United States: Fed Holds Rates, Weil Gotshal Dissolves Stable
- Vietnam: Vietnam Proposes Tax Relief, Dollar Drops Stable
- Yemen: Aden Airport Attacks; Gulf of Aden Piracy Alert