Israeli forces kill 37 Gazans, including nine children, some of them waiting for food aid
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said 35 people were killed in seven Israeli drone and air strikes in various locations,...
Geostrategy
Iran extends access to airspace for overflights after ceasefire
Iran has expanded access to its airspace for international overflights following a ceasefire with Israel, though flight restrictions remain in...
Geostrategy
Business
US calls for immediate end to Libya oil shutdowns
The US said Wednesday it was "deeply concerned" about an ongoing closure of key oil installations in Libya, calling for...
- The closure of several sites this month, including oilfields and export terminals, has seen Libya's output halve to around 600,000 barrels per day
- Libya's reduced output also comes as global oil prices remain under pressure since Russia, an OPEC+ producer, invaded Ukraine in February
Economy
Ukraine war to hit MENA’s poor nations, boost oil-producers: IMF
The International Monetary Fund's 2022 growth forecast for the region, which includes Arab countries and Iran, was forecast at 5.0...
- The predicted growth masks the disparities between the region's 22 countries--from oil exporters to nations wracked by war and others that depend heavily on wheat and fuel imports.
- An IMF report said inflation in MENA surged to 14.8 percent in 2021 and is projected to remain elevated at 13.9 percent this year, largely due to higher food and energy prices.
Geostrategy
Turkey may still buy missile system from Russia
NATO member Turkey said it was still talking to Russia about procuring the second batch of one of its most...
- Turkey's leading role in trying to mediate an end to the conflict through direct negotiations has helped to improve its relations with Washington
- Turkey is looking to modernize its airforce after being kicked out of the F-35 fighter jet program because of its purchase of the Russian missiles
Geostrategy
Israel air strikes kill 10 in Syria, deadliest in 2022
Israeli air strikes near Damascus on Wednesday killed 10 combatants, among them six Syrian soldiers, in the deadliest such raid...
- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an ammunition depot and several positions linked to Iran's military presence in Syria were among the targets
- The other four killed were not members of the Syrian military but belonged to Iran-backed militia, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said, adding he could not verify their nation
Geostrategy
Fugitive uncle of Jordan king sentenced to 18 years in prison
A Jordanian court on Wednesday sentenced a fugitive uncle of King Abdullah II to 18 years in prison in a...
- Kurdi is the former CEO of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Co, one of the world's largest suppliers
- In addition to the new jail term, the court fined him 190 million dinars ($268 million), the judicial official said on condition of anonymity
Business
Can Twitter become more profitable under Elon Musk?
Listed on the New York Stock Exchange for just under nine years, Twitter has posted a net loss every year,...
- Musk is paying above $44 billion for the company, an amount dwarfed by Facebook's valuation of more than $500 billion.
- Twitter's revenues are mainly derived from advertising rather than its user base, which isn't large enough to make up its finances.
Business
Demolitions in Jeddah cause anguish in residents
The Saudi doctor still had 15 years left on the loan he used to build his family's "dream" home in...
- The operation was part of a $20-billion clearance and construction project that stands to displace half-a-million people in Saudi Arabia's second city
- Paused for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the demolitions are expected to pick up again in May
Business
Despite unrest, it’s business before politics in West Bank town
Violence may rage elsewhere, but it's business before politics in the occupied West Bank town of Nilin where Palestinian merchants...
- Nilin is no stranger to the realities of occupation -- a number of the town's residents have been killed in past clashes with Israeli forces
- The Jewish state's separation barrier cuts through its western edge, and Israeli settlements, regarded as illegal under international law, dominate the surrounding hilltops
Business
Free speech or hate speech? Fears for Musk’s Twitter
Elon Musk describes himself as a "free-speech absolutist," leaving rights groups fearful that Twitter will provide a forum for hate...
- Civil activists are worried that means Musk, 50, will allow banned extremists back to the platform
- Like other social media networks, Twitter has struggled against disinformation, bullying and hate-fuelled content
Geostrategy
Lebanon tells military to probe deadly migrant boat capsize
Families have reported at least 23 still missing, all women and children while Lebanese govt asked armed forces to investigate...
- Survivors blamed military for boat carrying 84 capsized and six migrants crossing sea including a kid were killed
- Lebanese armed forces said 48 people rescued from the boat and insisted that the smugglers attempted reckless escape
Most Read
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
Israeli forces kill 37 Gazans, including nine children, some of them waiting for food aid
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said 35 people were killed in seven Israeli drone and air strikes in various locations,...
Geostrategy
Company News
Bosch to cut 1,500 jobs
Business
Latest News
WTO approves services trade rules, overcoming objections
The set of rules will streamline authorization requirements and ease procedural hurdles faced by businesses, according to a press release....
Geostrategy
Museum in West Bank displays Gaza’s ‘artistic demonstration’ against war
BIRZEIT, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – At a museum in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Gazan works on display are proclaimed to be an...
Arts & Culture
Robot dogs and flying cars: mobile gadget highlights
US firm Alef Aeronautics displayed to the public for the first time the working model of what it says is...
Business
Most Read
US welcomes Palestinian Authority reform after PM quits
The Palestinian leadership has been divided since 2007, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited power in the West Bank. Blinken...
- "We do welcome steps for the PA to reform and revitalize itself," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, using the Palestinian Authority's initials
- State Department spokesman declined to comment directly on the resignation of prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, saying it was an internal matter for Palestinians
Business
Rat on a plane sparks worries for Sri Lanka’s airline
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's national airline on Tuesday blamed a rat for grounding a plane for three days, sparking...
- The stowaway rodent was spotted enjoying the SriLankan Airlines Airbus A330 flight from the Pakistani city of Lahore on Thursday
- An airline official said the plane has now resumed flights, but that the grounding had a knock-on effect on the entire schedule
Geostrategy
US targets Houthi vessels, missiles in latest attack
Yemen's Houthis have been targeting shipping for months and their attacks have persisted despite repeated US and British strikes aimed...
- US forces destroyed surface vessels, anti-ship cruise missiles, and an aerial vehicle
- Over the weekend, US and British forces carried out strikes against 18 Houthi targets