GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first...
Urgent need for ‘global approach’ on AI regulation: UN tech chief
Geneva, Switzerland -- The world urgently needs to find a global approach on regulating artificial intelligence, the United Nations' top...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
AI needs to be smaller, reduce energy footprint: UNESCO study
Paris, France -- The potential of artificial intelligence is immense -- but its equally vast energy consumption needs curbing, with...
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said that each request sent to ChatGPT consumes on average 0.34 Wh of electricity, which is 10-70 times a Google search.
- UNESCO calculated that AI energy demand is doubling every 100 days as generative AI tools become embedded in everyday life.
Economy
World Bank announces Lebanon, Syria reconstruction projects
Beirut, Lebanon -- The World Bank announced on Wednesday it had approved $250 million to support Lebanon's post-war reconstruction and...
- Lebanon is reeling from last year's devastating war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, while Syria faces massive needs after the fall of Bashar al-Assad regime.
- The grant comes after Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they would pay off Syria's World Bank debt, and as the country's new rulers press reconstruction efforts.
Geostrategy
Israeli army kills 53 Palestinians and injures 200 others near Gaza aid site
"Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to...
- Bassal said that four additional people were killed by Israeli fire Tuesday near the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
- In early March, Israel imposed a total aid blockade on the Gaza Strip amid an impasse in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late May.
Geostrategy
8 killed in overnight strikes on Israel, Iran’s defense headquarters hit
In the central region, at least four people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed and around 100 others wounded in...
- In the central region, at least four people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed and around 100 others wounded in a rocket strike.
- An MDA spokesman told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 that around 200 people were wounded in overnight missile strikes fired by Iran.
Geostrategy
Syria’s new authorities to help locate missing Americans: US envoy
Damascus, Syria -- Syria's new authorities have agreed to help the United States locate and return Americans who went missing...
- "The new Syrian government has agreed to assist the USA in locating and returning USA citizens or their remains," US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack wrote on X.
- "The families of Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz, and Kayla Mueller must have closure," he added, referring to American citizens who had gone missing or been killed.
Geostrategy
Spain hosts European, Arab nations to pressure Israel on Gaza
Madrid will host 20 countries as well as international organizations with the aim of "stopping this war, which no longer...
- The meeting, which also includes representatives from the Arab League and OIC, will promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- After the EU decided this week to review its cooperation deal with Israel, Albares said "we must consider sanctions, we must do everything, consider everything to stop this war"'.
Geostrategy
Iraq’s water reserves lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season
Baghdad, Iraq -- Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government...
- Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall.
- Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighboring Iran and Turkey for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates.
Geostrategy
22 killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza
The Israeli military has stepped up its Gaza offensive in recent days in what it has described as a renewed...
- Civil defense agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said seven people were killed in a strike on a home in Jabalia, in the north.
- Fatal strikes were also recorded around Deir el-Balah in the center of the territory, Beit Lahia in the north, and the main southern city of Khan Yunis.
Arts & Culture
Iraq’s first ever director in Cannes wins best feature debut
Hasan Hadi won the top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in "The President's Cake".
- Also from the Middle East, Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom received his award for his short film "I'm Glad You're Dead Now".
- Gazan twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser on Friday received a directing award in the Certain Regard parallel section for "Once Upon A Time In Gaza".
Economy
United Kingdom renationalizes first train operator under Labor reforms
London, United Kingdom -- Britain's South Western Railways on Sunday becomes the first private train operator to be returned to...
- Renationalizing all of the UK's rail operators is among the key policies launched by Prime Minister Keir Starmer since his party's return to government last July.
- Train passengers in Britain suffer from frequent cancellations, in addition to high ticket prices and regular confusion over which services they can be used on.
GCC as the bridge in a fragmented global ad tech market
S4 Capital founder Martin Sorrell tells TRENDS digital dominance, AI disruption and consolidation are reshaping global advertising, urging agile, tech-first...
Company News
Iran’s protests: What we know
Geostrategy
Latest News
2 crew members killed as Saudi fighter jet crashes
An investigation into the cause of the recent accident has been initiated, with Maliki informing the Saudi Press Agency (SPA)...
FBI completes Rainbow Bridge car explosion, says it was traffic accident
According to witnesses, the car was running at a speed of more than 160 km/h. As a result, the car...
UAE to build 3 desalination plants to supply Gaza with water
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE is building three desalination plants in Rafah to supply Gaza with water as part...
Kuwait City is the Middle East’s most polluted, Baghdad is next
Dubai, UAE - As New Delhi once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, across the Middle...
Saudi national stopped at Delhi hotel lobby while trying to meet UAE President
New Delhi, India - A Saudi Arabian national attempted to gain access to a five-star hotel in Delhi where UAE...
Israeli army kills 53 Palestinians and injures 200 others near Gaza aid site
"Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to...
Geostrategy
8 killed in overnight strikes on Israel, Iran’s defense headquarters hit
In the central region, at least four people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed and around 100 others wounded in...
Geostrategy
Syria’s new authorities to help locate missing Americans: US envoy
Damascus, Syria -- Syria's new authorities have agreed to help the United States locate and return Americans who went missing...
Geostrategy

Most Read
Geostrategy
Iraq’s water reserves lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season
Baghdad, Iraq -- Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government...
- Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall.
- Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighboring Iran and Turkey for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates.
Geostrategy
22 killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza
The Israeli military has stepped up its Gaza offensive in recent days in what it has described as a renewed...
- Civil defense agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said seven people were killed in a strike on a home in Jabalia, in the north.
- Fatal strikes were also recorded around Deir el-Balah in the center of the territory, Beit Lahia in the north, and the main southern city of Khan Yunis.
Arts & Culture
Iraq’s first ever director in Cannes wins best feature debut
Hasan Hadi won the top prize for his childhood adventure under economic sanctions in "The President's Cake".
- Also from the Middle East, Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom received his award for his short film "I'm Glad You're Dead Now".
- Gazan twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser on Friday received a directing award in the Certain Regard parallel section for "Once Upon A Time In Gaza".

