Israel deepens Gaza offensive, shuts key routes, and orders evacuations amid heavy civilian casualties
US President Donald Trump "fully supports" Israel's renewed Gaza operations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters when asked...
Geostrategy
Hamas sees ‘positive’ signs for ceasefire talks as Israel cuts Gaza electricity, blocks aid flow
In a statement, Netanyahu's office said that Israel had accepted an invitation from US-backed mediators and would "send a delegation...
Geostrategy
Economy
Females make up 37.6% of the GCC population of 57.6 million
Muscat, Oman - The population of the six GCC countries reached 57.6 million in 2023, compared to 56.6 million in...
- The population density was 23.9 people per square kilometre, with the total area of the GCC countries amounting to 2.4 million square kilometres
- The Atlas revealed that the total workforce in the GCC countries reached approximately 33.1 million in 2023, compared to 30.3 million in 2022
Geostrategy
In a change of tone, Syria’s new leader urges US to pressure Israel for withdrawal
Julani’s appeal comes as Syria signals a shift in its diplomatic tone. Maher Marwan, Damascus’ new governor, told NPR that...
- The report, published by Kan 11, said that Israeli authorities have denied receiving any formal communication on the matter
- A senior security official has stated that Israel "will not compromise its security" in response to the alleged request
Geostrategy
US proposes $8B arms deal with Israel; Biden plans strikes on Houthis as Gaza aid faces Trump-era cuts
The US proposes an $8 billion arms deal with Israel, plans intensified strikes on Yemen's Houthis, while Israel considers cutting...
- According to sources cited by Axios, the arms deal requires formal approval from both the House and Senate committees
- A US official emphasized that the arms sale aligns with the administration’s commitment to Israel's security
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 kicks off Friday with over 800 competitors
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Dakar Rally 2025, the largest and longest race in the world of motorsports, is set...
- Over 800 participants are poised for the fierce competition, which runs until January 17 and is organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation
- . Participants will embark on an adventurous journey through the landscapes of Al Hanakiyah, AlUla, Hail, Al Dawadmi, Riyadh, and Haradh before heading to the last stop in Shubayta
Economy
Saudi Arabia records $5.6 billion trade surplus in October 2024 with 30% growth
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia’s trade balance recorded a 30% monthly growth, achieving a surplus of SAR 20.769 billion...
- The Kingdom's total international trade volume reached SAR 164.794 billion ($43.51 billion) in October, reflecting a 2% growth
- Non-oil exports in October totaled approximately SAR 19.413 billion ($5.24 billion), representing 21% of total exports
Economy
Study: Legacy technology not impeding adoption of AI and Machine Learning in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Manufacturers see AI as critical for decarbonization (66%), improving ESG scores, energy monitoring (55%), advancing digital twins (68%), and enabling...
- The study, conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence, surveyed over 120 digital transformation leaders from the utility, data center, building, and manufacturing sectors
- It reveals that only 23% of respondents in 2024 identified legacy technology as a significant impediment to digitalization, a notable decrease from 33% in 2022
Economy
Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
Paris, France - Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence (AI),...
- Wall Street's three main stock indices blew past record highs to set new peaks in 2024, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing above 45,000 points
- Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election gave Wall Street even more of a boost on hopes he will follow through on pledges of deregulation and tax cuts
In stabilization bid, Syria’s new ruler declares all weapons under state control, including Kurdish arms
Ahmed al-Sharaa announced all weapons, including those held by Kurdish-led forces, will come under state control, emphasizing unity and coexistence...
- Sharaa spoke alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, after earlier meeting with Lebanese Druze leaders and vowing to end "negative interference" in the neighbouring country
- Turkey has maintained strong ties with Syria's new leaders, and has continued military operations against Kurdish-held areas in northeastern Syria
Geostrategy
UN envoy warns Syria conflict persists as rebels seek international ties post-Assad ouster
The UN migration chief expressed concerns about large-scale refugee returns destabilizing Syria further, particularly affecting religious minorities who fled violence...
- The United Nations' special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said on Tuesday "there have been significant hostilities in the last two weeks, before a ceasefire was brokered."
- Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syrian military assets since Assad's overthrow in what it says is a bid to prevent them falling into hostile hands
Geostrategy
Qatar PM sees ‘momentum’ on Gaza talks after US election
Doha, Qatar - Qatar's prime minister said on Saturday that momentum had returned to talks aimed at securing a truce and...
- The Gulf emirate, along with the United States and Egypt, had been involved in months of unsuccessful negotiations for a Gaza truce
- But in November, Doha announced it had put its mediation on hold, saying it would resume when Hamas and Israel showed seriousness
Israel deepens Gaza offensive, shuts key routes, and orders evacuations amid heavy civilian casualties
US President Donald Trump "fully supports" Israel's renewed Gaza operations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters when asked...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
$2.65bn in contracts signed during first two days of IDEX and NAVDEX 2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Tawazun Council, UAE's authority responsible for managing acquisitions, procurement, and contracts on behalf of the Ministry...
Business
UAE announces top-up tax for multinational enterprises
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The Ministry of Finance has announced the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. 142 of 2024 on...
Business
UAE, France discuss bilateral ties, sign AI cooperation deal
Paris, UAE - UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron of France explored various...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Trump doubles down on Gaza shock plan, says Israel will turn over the territory to US
Trump said that by the time of the handover, Palestinians "would have already been resettled in far safer and more...
- Trump first made the stunning proposal to audible gasps during a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Tuesday, whom he was hosting at the White House for talks
- Suggesting "long-term ownership" by the US, Trump said he would make Gaza the Riviera of the Middle East, and that "this could be something that could be so magnificient".
Geostrategy
Syrian President’s first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia signals Syria’s shift away from Iran’s influence.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, marking his first foreign visit and signaling...
- Al-Sharaa’s visit signals Syria’s pivot away from Iran and closer ties with the Gulf states
- Saudi Arabia is leading efforts to reintegrate Syria into the regional fold and push for sanctions relief
Economy
NHC signs strategic deals worth $8 billion at the opening of Real Estate Future Forum 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The National Housing Company (NHC) has signed a series of agreements, deals, and memoranda of understanding...
- The agreements included a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to enhance collaboration in supply chains
- In another key agreement, a memorandum of understanding was signed with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)