Hamas says discussing Gaza ceasefire proposals from mediators
It said it sought "to reach an agreement that guarantees ending the aggression, achieving the withdrawal (of Israel from Gaza)...
Geostrategy
Mamdani confirmed as Democratic candidate for New York mayor
Rising star of the American left Zohran Mamdani is now officially the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City,...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Lebanon reformist independents win at least 13 seats
The reformists, who campaigned on the legacy of a 2019 anti-establishment protest movement, could yet obtain the support of several...
- Twelve of the thirteen reformist candidates are newcomers. They campaigned against Lebanon's ruling elite, composed of sectarian parties that have ruled the country since 1990.
- At least five out of 19 elected MPs for the capital Beirut are independents, with all but one winning a seat for the first time.
Business
Morocco, Spain reopen borders after two-year closure
The gates opened shortly after 11:00 pm local time (2200 GMT) on Monday night, letting dozens of cars and queues...
- borders between the two countries were shut due to Covid restrictions and a major diplomatic row
- Local economies in the border areas of two enclaves depend on the crossing of people and goods
Geostrategy
Lebanon vote weakens Hezbollah bloc as reformists book gains
Scuffles and cases of voter intimidation were reported on polling day, although Interior Minister insisted when announcing partial results that...
- Lebanese Forces Party can emerge as the largest Christian party in Lebanon as it has won several new seats
- Some polling centers lacked electricity in Lebanon, voters had to use their phone lights to cast their ballots
Geostrategy
US Vice President leads large team to meet new UAE leader
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday led a high-level delegation to meet the United Arab Emirates' new president, who...
- Day after the death of former leader Sheikh Khalifa, Mohamed bin Zayed was chosen as UAE's new president
- Diplomatic relation between US-UAE were further strained when the UAE abstained from condemning Russia over the invasion of Ukraine
Geostrategy
Iran arrests academic on national security charges
Iranian police have arrested academic and author Said Madani on charges of acting "against the security" of the country and...
- "Suspected of having links with foreign countries and of having committed actions against the country's security, Said Madani Ghahfarokhi was sent to prison," Mehr reported
- Madani has been detained several times in the past, notably in 2012 when he was sentenced to six years in prison
Economy
NEOM will be subject to Saudi sovereignty and rules: Report
Saudi Arabia has rejected claims that its planned futuristic megacity known as NEOM will have different rules from the rest...
- NEOM is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan to diversify Saudi Arabia's oil-dependent economy.
- It has been billed as a futuristic cityscape evocative of a sci-fi blockbuster -- with everything from flying taxis to robot-maids.
Business
McDonald’s to exit Russian market
The company will sell its business in the increasingly isolated country.
- McDonald's in March closed all of its 850 restaurants in the country, where it employs 62,000 people.
- The company directly manages more than 80 percent of the restaurants bearing its name in Russia.
Geostrategy
Eighth sandstorm since mid-April brings Iraq to a halt
On Monday a thick cloud of dust enveloped the capital Baghdad in an orange glow and blanketed many other cities.
- Authorities in seven of Iraq's 18 provinces, including Baghdad, ordered government offices to shut.
- The last one earlier this month led to the death of one person while 5,000 others had to be hospitalized for respiratory problems
Economy
Blue-chip shares surge as Wall Street stocks bounces back
Investors remain cautious as to whether China will ease its zero-Covid policy, which has added to the disruption of the...
- The benchmark Nikkei 225 index firmed 0.45 percent, or 119.40 points, to 26,547.05.
- The Nikkei firmed especially in early trade, keeping the momentum from gains of US shares.
Geostrategy
Kamala Harris leads high-level US team to meet new UAE leader
Harris, whose team includes Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and CIA chief William Burns, is heading...
- Blinken, who arrived in Abu Dhabi early Monday morning ahead of the delegation, offered his "warm congratulations" to Sheikh Mohamed on becoming president.
- Relations between UAE and the US were strained when the former abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution demanding a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
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Hamas says discussing Gaza ceasefire proposals from mediators
It said it sought "to reach an agreement that guarantees ending the aggression, achieving the withdrawal (of Israel from Gaza)...
Geostrategy
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Swiss central bank posts 2023 loss
The bank has raised its interest rates to tame inflation..
Turkey’s inflation rises to 67.1% in February
On a monthly basis, inflation rose 4.5 percent in February, slower than the 6.7 percent rise logged in January. Erdogan...
Economy
SpaceX blasts off to ISS with US, Russia astronauts on board
Just minutes after the launch, as the rocket soared over the Atlantic, it was moving at a speed of 6,000...
Science
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US Vice President calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza
Taking an unusually sharp tone, Harris demanded Israel "do more to significantly increase the flow of aid" into Gaza, where...
- Kamala Harris's comments on Sunday came as Washington led a push to lock in a truce before Ramadan
- According to a senior US official, Israel has broadly accepted the terms of proposal to pause the five-month-old war
Economy
Tunisians take to streets to protest economic woes
Head of Tunisia's trade union confederation Noureddine Taboubi said in a speech to protestors that the economic and social situation...
- He said the state's ability to service its foreign debt had been to the detriment of the people
- The Tunisian sluggish economy posted growth of 0.4% and an unemployment rate of 16.4% in 2023
Geostrategy
Gaza truce talks in Cairo as heavy fighting rages
An Israeli siege on Gaza has sparked UN warnings of famine, and France's foreign ministry said Israel is "clearly responsible"...
- Envoys from the United States, Qatar and Hamas arrived in Cairo, Egyptian state-linked media reported Sunday, the latest effort towards a six-week truce
- But sticking points remained, including a Hamas demand that Israeli forces entirely withdraw from the Gaza Strip after almost five months of devastating war