Israel expands Gaza campaign ahead of Netanyahu’s US visit
The intensified operations came after days of mounting calls for a ceasefire, with US President Donald Trump -- whom Netanyahu...
Geostrategy
Economy
Egypt to privatize key state companies as inflation surges
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli announced Sunday a string of planned privatisations of state-owned companies, as Cairo grapples with an...
- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli laid out plans for 10 state-owned companies and two army-owned companies to be listed on the stock market later this year.
- By 2025, the government hopes to see "private sector contribution in investment grow to 65 percent," up from 30 percent today.
Business
Sanctions-hit Iran considering gas exports to Europe: official
Iran is considering the possibility of exporting gas to Europe, an oil ministry official said Sunday against the backdrop of...
- Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February sent global oil and gas prices soaring, with many European countries dependent on energy imports from Russia.
- Tehran and Baghdad had signed a memorandum of understanding a few weeks ago that will see the country increase gas exports to Iraq.
Geostrategy
Somali MPs vote in prez election as famine threat looms
Somali lawmakers gathered in Mogadishu Sunday to vote in the country's long-overdue presidential election, with 35 candidates vying for the...
- The poll has been dogged by claims of irregularities and is well over a year behind schedule
- The vote is expected to draw a line under a political crisis that has lasted well over a year
Geostrategy
2,000 attend new Tunisia opposition alliance demonstration
A crowd estimated at more than 2,000, lower than expected, took part Sunday in the first demonstration of a new...
- Veteran opposition figure Ahmed Nejib Chebbi announced the formation of the new alliance on April 26 to "save" Tunisia from deep crisis following Saied's power grab last year.
- Demonstrators said they were disappointed by the numbers that turned out for the first public show of support for the alliance.
Business
Tech titans curb hiring in a ‘challenging macro environment’
From e-commerce colossus Amazon to social networking star Facebook, US tech firms that once grew with abandon have reined in...
- Twitter confirmed that it has flat-out suspended hiring, and even showed a few senior executives the exit, as it faces a takeover by Elon Musk, the richest person on the planet.
- Amazon, the second largest employer in the United States, revealed that its ranks are overly plump after ending last year with more than twice as many workers as it had in 2019.
Arts & Culture
Cartoon alien aims to ease World Cup culture shock
Kawkabani, star of the series, has to learn Arabic pronunciation, how to drink coffee -- and to discover that Qataris...
- Kawkabani was part-financed by Qatar's World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, as well as the Doha Film Institute and telecoms giant Vodafone.
- Creators Hossein Heydar and Amal al-Shammari want Qataris to get the message that they will have to make cultural concessions to the beer-drinking and good-time-seeking masses.
Geostrategy
Blinken offers ‘deep condolences’ to family of Palestinian journalist
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the family of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh after criticizing Israel's...
- The top US diplomat "noted Abu Akleh's journalistic body of work and the importance of a free and independent press"
- Al Jazeera said Israel shot her "in cold blood"
Business
Aramco Q1 profit up 82%
Surge in oil prices benefited the world's most valuable company.
- Aramco's net income of $39.5 billion was up from $21.7 billion in 2021, "primarily driven by higher crude oil prices and volumes sold, and improved downstream margins."
- The latest financial results were published four days after Aramco dethroned Apple as the world's most valuable company, with shares worth $2.42 trillion
Geostrategy
Macron meets Mohamed bin Zayed, offers condolences
The UAE's new president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks Sunday with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron as world...
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State A. Blinken and Israeli President Isaac Herzog are also expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi
- Presidents and monarchs from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Tunisia, and Sudan's de facto leader, were among a long line of dignitaries to offer their condolences
Geostrategy
Finland to announce NATO decision as Sweden holds key meet
The Finnish government is expected to officially announce its intention to join NATO on Sunday, as Sweden's ruling party holds...
- "Hopefully we can send our applications next week together with Sweden," Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Saturday
- Finland has been leading the charge, while Sweden appears anxious at being the only non-NATO country around the Baltic Sea
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
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Oil prices rise following Red Sea attacks
Market Report
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"...
Geostrategy
Polls for Iraq Kurd parliament postponed to June
Iraqi Kurds announced that polls to elect a new parliament in the autonomous region would be held in June, after...
Geostrategy
Saudi, UAE and Iraq extend oil cuts, Russia to slash output by 471,000 bpd
An energy ministry source said Riyadh "will extend its voluntary cut of one million barrels per day, which was implemented...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Arts & Culture
Young Iraqis seek desert retreats for a change from the hustle of big cities
SAMAWAH, IRAQ – Far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, young Iraqis are increasingly taking advantage of a renewed...
- For years, only the most intrepid of hikers and campers would brave the trips into Iraq's desert.
- With the rise of social media and a period of relative stability, it has become a popular destination.
Geostrategy
Cargo ship sunk by Houthis poses environmental risk, says US military
Yemen's government also said earlier Saturday that the ship which was departed UAE and was bound for the Bulgarian port...
- Houthis claimed the February 18 attack against the Rubymar, a cargo ship flying a Belizean flag and operated by a Lebanese firm, which transported combustible fertilizers
- US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed late Saturday that the vessel "sank in the Red Sea after being struck" by an anti-ship ballistic missile last month
Geostrategy
Gaza truce talks set to resume in Cairo as heavy fighting rages
The Hamas official said that if Israel were to meet its demands -- which include a military withdrawal from Gaza...
- In a sign of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the narrow coastal territory, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said at least 16 children had died of malnutrition in recent days
- A United Nations team that visited a Gaza City hospital reported seeing "a large number" of gunshot wounds among Palestinians in the aftermath of the incident.