Netanyahu eyes hostage breakthrough as Gaza families mourn victims
His comments lifted hope for a new ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the Palestinian territory, after US President Donald...
Geostrategy
G7 to exempt US multinationals from global minimum tax
The deal will see US companies benefit from a "side-by-side" solution under which they will only be taxed at home,...
Economy
Geostrategy
Russia steps up Ukraine fight as EU braces for gas paucity
The United States has been warning that Russia is preparing to formally annex regions in Ukraine’s east, while the European...
- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has meanwhile sparked outrage by alleging Adolf Hitler may have ‘had Jewish blood’
- This has invoked a conspiracy theory in a bid to discredit Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky — who is of Jewish ancestry
Geostrategy
European Union shores up defense against Russia energy threats
European Union ministers met Monday to respond to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria -- and discuss plans...
- Energy ministers from 27 member states were coordinating efforts to counter what Brussels has branded the Kremlin's bid to "blackmail" the West with threatened energy shortages.
- The EU is also working on a phased ban on Russian oil imports, hoping to cut off funding for its war effort and assert energy independence from Moscow.
Business
Rockets hit key oil refinery in Iraq, causes minor damage
Six rockets landed Sunday in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Kurdish counter-terrorism forces said, with "minor damage" reported at a key...
- Kurdish counter-terrorism forces said in a statement that six rockets fell near the Zab river in the Khabat district
- The attack which caused no casualties or damage was not immediately claimed by any organization
Science
Can pee help feed the world?
In the past, urban excrement was transported to agricultural fields to be used as fertilizer along with animal manure, before...
- Chemical fertilizers create emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, contributing to climate change.
- Urine is not normally a major carrier of disease, so the World Health Organization recommends leaving it for a period of time, although it is also possible to pasteurize it.
Business
Finland firm scraps nuclear plant deal with Russia
Finnish-led consortium Fennovoima said on Monday it has terminated a contract with Russian group Rosatom to build Finland's third nuclear...
- The proposed 1,200-megawatt Russian-designed reactor was to be built in Pyhajoki, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the port of Oulu in northern Finland
- Two days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Finnish government had said it was re-evaluating the security risks for the 7.5-billion-euro deal
Geostrategy
Tunisia proposes national dialogue, excluding opposition
Tunisian President Kais Saied has announced the launch of "national dialogue" to help resolve a political crisis following his controversial...
- Saied, a former law professor elected in 2019 amid public anger against the political class in the North African nation, sacked the government on July 25 last year
- In a speech late Sunday, Saied said a commission would manage "the national dialogue", a measure demanded repeatedly by the G7 nations and European Union
Geostrategy
Iran summons Sweden’s envoy over trial of former official
Iran said it had summoned Sweden's ambassador following a request by prosecutors in the Nordic country for life imprisonment for...
- The foreign ministry in Tehran late Sunday "strongly condemned" the arrest and trial of Hamid Noury, 61, as "illegal"
- Noury, who has been on trial in Stockholm since last August, faces charges including crimes against humanity
Economy
Stock markets slide all across as Fed rate hike looms
Asian and European markets fell in holiday-thinned trade Monday following another tech-led rout on Wall Street, with focus on the...
- Trading floors around the world have been buffeted for months by a perfect storm of crises including China's lockdowns, surging inflation, Fed plans to hike rates
- However, with some commentators warning rates could go as high as three percent, there are also worries the Fed could be too heavy-handed and tip the US economy into recession
Business
Qantas to launch longest non-stop passenger flight
Qantas announced on Monday it will launch the world's longest non-stop commercial flight, with passengers set to spend 19 hours...
- Non-stop flights will start from Sydney by the end of 2025, it said, with long-haul trips later planned to include Melbourne
- Qantas has announced ordering 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to operate the "Project Sunrise" flights to cities including London and New York
Economy
May Day holiday marred by clashes in Turkey, France
Police and protesters clashed in Turkey and France during May Day rallies on Sunday, as tens of thousands marched across...
- European rallies sparked the most controversy with Turkish protesters gathering at Istanbul's Taksim Square, an area synonymous with anti-government protests
- City officials said the group refused to disperse and 164 were detained, with government-approved rallies elsewhere in Turkey passing off peacefully
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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
Netanyahu eyes hostage breakthrough as Gaza families mourn victims
His comments lifted hope for a new ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the Palestinian territory, after US President Donald...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Pfizer set to acquire Seagen
Business
Gaza health ministry says war deaths exceed 30,000 as famine looms
The latest overall toll for Palestinians killed in the war came after at least 79 people died overnight across the...
Reliance, Disney announce giant India media merger
The statement said Disney will hold 36.8 percent, Reliance will hold a 16.3 percent stake, and Viacom18 another 46.8 percent....
Business
Israel strikes Damascus amid soaring regional tensions
According to Syria's defense ministry, Israeli fighter jets carried out strikes "from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan", targeting...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
India, US at loggerheads over WTO reform at Abu Dhabi talks
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -- A US-led push to reform the World Trade Organization's embattled dispute settlement system sparked divisions...
- Washington's push for reform has angered India, which accused the US on Wednesday of bringing the WTO to a "standstill".
- India threatened to hold off on any new deals before progress is made on the appellate body, which could imperil agreements on fisheries subsidies and agriculture.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia’s PIF announces tennis partnership with ATP
In a joint statement, the two bodies said the partnership marked "a significant shared commitment to enhancing global tennis". The...
- PIF will also partner with ATP Tour events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the ATP Finals, in addition to the Next Gen ATP Finals, hosted in Jeddah until 2027.
- "Our strategic partnership with PIF marks a major moment for tennis," said ATP chief executive Massimo Calvelli in the joint statement.
Israel minister says Arab trade ties unfazed by Gaza war
In January, Israel's cabinet approved an additional 55 billion shekels ($15 billion) to meet the cost of the war, while...
- When asked about Israel's economic losses due to the war, Barkat said it could add "anywhere between 150 to 200 billion shekels ($42-55 billion)" to the country's national debt
- Barkat said Gaza war could help Israel boost sales of military technology, noting there is "high interest" from many countries, without specifying if Arab states were among them