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...
Geostrategy
Real estate transactions in five UAE emirates reach $65 billion in Q1
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Real estate transactions across five emirates in the UAE surged to over AED 239 billion ($65...
Business
Geostrategy
UNRWA: Reconstructing Gaza Strip exceeds agency’s capabilities due to severe damage
Gaza, Palestine - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), confirmed today that the reconstruction process...
- UNRWA said that the agency can contribute to rehabilitating the infrastructure in the camps and returning employees to work inside them, and operating their wells.
- The agency emphasized that locating the missing—numbering in the thousands beneath the rubble—requires meticulous planning and the expertise of specialized teams
Geostrategy
Ceasefire begins: Israel, Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners amid fragile hopes for lasting peace
The 42-day truce's first phase involves prisoner exchanges and hostage releases, but the future remains uncertain as both sides navigate...
- In Gaza, Palestinians returned to homes reduced to rubble, checked on missing relatives, and prepared to bury their dead
- Humanitarian relief efforts also resumed, with more than 600 trucks carrying essential supplies entering the battered enclave
Geostrategy
Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas goes into effect, marking first steps toward peace
As the first phase of the ceasefire takes effect, the world watches to see whether this temporary reprieve will be...
- The complex deal consists of three phases, each lasting 42 days, and it will see both sides release prisoners and hostages in exchange for a temporary halt to the violence
- Netanyahu’s warning that Israel retains the right to resume fighting and Hamas’s insistence on a complete Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire make the road to lasting peace
Geostrategy
Joint Operations Room set up in Cairo to oversee Gaza ceasefire implementation
Cairo, Egypt - A joint operations room has been established in Cairo to oversee the implementation of the Gaza Strip...
- The room, comprising representatives from Egypt, Palestine, Qatar, the US, and Israel, aims to ensure collaborative efforts and consistent adherence to the agreement's provisions
- This agreement, the source noted, represents a significant step towards preventing further escalation and fostering long-term stability in the Gaza Strip
UAE leads solar energy growth with strategic projects
Abu Dhabi, UAE - A new report highlighted the UAE's leadership in the regional solar energy sector, driven by initiatives...
- The "Solar Outlook Report 2025" report outlines the rapid growth of solar energy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the UAE’s key role in this transformation
- Solar energy's share in the regional energy mix grew significantly, with solar capacity in MENA rising 23% in 2023 to 32 GW peak, and projected to exceed 180 GW by 2030
Geostrategy
WEF’s risks report 2025: Rising geopolitical tensions, environmental threats, disinformation dominate future threats
A survey of over 900 experts reveals state-based armed conflict as the most pressing global risk for 2025, driven by...
- A late 2024 survey of over 900 global risks experts, policymakers, and industry leaders identifies state-based armed conflict as 2025's top risk
- Extreme weather events, societal polarization, and cyber-espionage also rank prominently, underscoring a landscape fraught with challenges
Social media’s evolving role in GCC spotlighted at Doha conference
Doha, Qatar – The Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference, held on Wednesday, at Barahat Msheireb in Msheireb Downtown Doha, brought...
- The conference, co-hosted by Msheireb Properties and The Business Year, explored critical themes critical to the GCC’s position as a leading investment hub
- Julien Hawari, CEO of Million and Sirius Lab, highlighted key social media trends in the region, such as the rise of content driven by younger, tech-savvy demographics
Geostrategy
Israel, Hamas ceasefire begins Sunday, includes hostage deal, phased Israeli withdrawal, more aid for Gaza
The deal, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, includes Hamas releasing 33 hostages and Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian...
- The deal includes release of 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, and, in return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian captives
- The deal also allows for a dramatic increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, with over 500 trucks of food, water, and medical supplies expected to enter the region daily
Business
Masdar targets 100 GW of clean energy by 2030
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Fatima Al Suwaidi, Head of Development & Investment (APAC) at Masdar, has affirmed the company's ambitious...
- Masdar has successfully implemented 31 GW of clean energy projects across 40+ countries, expanding its global footprint
- In 2024, Masdar doubled its clean energy production capacity, underscoring its leadership in the sector
Science
UAE’s satellite, developed by Emirati engineers, launched from California to aid disaster relief and earth observation
With cutting-edge features like high-resolution imaging and electric jet propulsion, MBZ-SAT will enhance environmental surveillance, disaster management, and infrastructure monitoring,...
- Named in honour of the President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the satellite was announced in 2020 by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- MBZ-SAT marks a significant milestone in the UAE's satellite development journey, having been developed entirely by Emirati engineers at MBRSC
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...
Geostrategy
Company News
AI talking trees feature at Chelsea Flower Show
Arts & Culture
‘Gentle giants’: World’s strongest men defy stereotypes
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Israel will ‘take control of all’ of Gaza, says Netanyahu as WHO warns of famine risk
After more than two months of a total blockade, the World Health Organization issued a stark warning on the humanitarian...
Geostrategy
AI talking trees feature at Chelsea Flower Show
London, United Kingdom -- Talking trees powered by AI, drought-resistant crops and sweet potatoes sprouting among flowers -- the prestigious...
Arts & Culture
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Arts & Culture
‘Gentle giants’: World’s strongest men defy stereotypes
Sacramento, United States -- Eddie Williams is a schoolteacher from Monday to Friday and a wedding singer on weekends. In...
- The World's Strongest Man competition was first held in 1977 at Universal Studios in California.
- The names of the individual events -- the "Titan's Toss," "Atlas Stones," "Flintstone Barbell" and "Hercules Hold" -- convey the magnitude of the challenges.
Business
General Gulf inflation rate logs 1.7% by end of Dec 2024
Muscat, Oman -- The general inflation rate in the GCC countries rose by 1.7 percent at the end of December...
- The increase is primarily driven by a 5.9 percent increase in housing prices and a 2.8 percent rise in the prices of goods and services.
- The culture and entertainment group recorded a 1.8 percent increase, while both the food and beverages group and the education group rose by 1.2 percent each.
Geostrategy
Saudi airline resumes first Iran hajj flights since 2015
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- A Saudi airline has resumed flights for Iranian hajj pilgrims to the kingdom for the first...
- Flynas is a budget airline based in Saudi Arabia, which operates domestic and international routes.
- Officials stressed that the flights were not commercial and were only for the hajj pilgrimage.