Netanyahu says returning Gaza hostages will take ‘a bit more time’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday insisted gains in the conflict against Iran would help with the country's war...
Geostrategy
Risk of wider conflict flare up as US claims strikes ‘devastated’ Iran’s nuclear program
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Istanbul the United States and Israel had "crossed a very big red...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Tunisians protest against President on Independence Day
More than 2,000 Tunisians rallied on Sunday, the country's Independence Day, against President Kais Saied and a project he launched...
- Protesters in the capital shouted "the people want to overthrow the president" and "no to consultations"
- Many of the demonstrators were people who had voted for Saied, among them blogger and rights activist Mounira Bouazizi
Business
Houthi drone attack causes ‘temporary reduction’ in Saudi oil
Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia announced a "temporary reduction" in oil output at a facility run by energy giant Aramco...
- The Iran-backed Houthis, against whom Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition in Yemen, have repeatedly targeted the kingdom, including Aramco's sites
- The latest round of attacks comes after an oil refinery in the Saudi capital Riyadh was targeted on March 10 by a drone, an operation claimed by the Huthis
Arts & Culture
Five ancient tombs discovered in Egypt’s Saqqara
In January 2021, Egypt unveiled ancient treasures found at Saqqara, including more than 50 wooden sarcophagi dating back to the...
- Saqqara is a vast necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to more than a dozen pyramids and animal burial sites.
- The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said one of the tombs belonged to a top official named Iry. A limestone sarcophagus and colorful decorations were found in the tomb.
Thousands of mourners take part in rabbi’s funeral in Israel
An estimated three quarters of a million ultra-Orthodox Jews attended the funeral Sunday of influential rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, known to...
- The streets of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv were packed with a sea of men and boys in black suits mourning for the Belarusian-born preacher who died Friday
- A separate women's section was created in the streets of Bnei Brak for the funeral which is billed as one of the largest ever gatherings in "Israeli history"
Geostrategy
UAE paves way for the return of Bashar al-Assad to Arab fold
A surprise visit by Syria's Bashar al-Assad to the oil-rich United Arab Emirates opens the door to his isolated regime's...
- Assad and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan discussed the "fraternal relations" between the two countries
- In recent years Abu Dhabi has led an Arab overture to Damascus as the Assad regime has consolidated power
Women bear brunt of domestic violence in Iraqi Kurdistan
A woman burned alive by her husband, others shot dead by a father or a teenage brother -- bloody violence...
- The autonomous area, keen on projecting an image of a relative haven of stability and tolerance in war-battered Iraq, has seen a sharp rise in femicide
- Across Iraq, gender-based violence rose 125 percent to over 22,000 cases between 2020 and 2021, says the UN children's agency UNICEF
Economy
Hit by sanctions, many Afghans find a savior in cryptocurrency
In the middle of a bazaar in western Afghanistan, Arezo Akrimi takes out her smartphone and, after a few taps...
- Afghanistan's economy has virtually collapsed and the country is in the grip of a crisis caused by the seizure of billions of dollars of assets held abroad.
- But digital currencies and their decentralized architecture, impervious to international sanctions, are allowing a handful of young Afghans to avoid the worst of the crisis.
Business
Aramco profits doubled in 2021
The rise was due to crude prices, as the global economy recovered.
- Aramco's net income increased by 124 percent to $110 billion in 2021, compared to $49 billion in 2020
- It had achieved a net income of $88.2 billion in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic hit global markets
Geostrategy
More sanctions: Australia bans alumina and bauxite exports to Russia
Australia announced more sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine Sunday, immediately banning all exports of alumina and bauxite...
- The export ban aims to impact aluminum production in Russia, which relies on Australia for 20 percent of its alumina.
- Australia would donate 70,000 tons of thermal coal to Ukraine, following a request from the besieged nation.
Science
Tunisian eco pioneer battle to save Sahara Oasis life
The French-Tunisian setup includes the "Palm Lab," where engineers, architects and artists discuss how to conserve the oasis of agriculture.
- American Kevin Klay has been selling Date Sugar with a main market in US since 2018 and it is made through the waste of Dates
- The drip irrigation technology of ecology project make investors and farmers want to reinvest in the oasis
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
Netanyahu says returning Gaza hostages will take ‘a bit more time’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday insisted gains in the conflict against Iran would help with the country's war...
Geostrategy
Company News
Meals to woof down at Italy’s first dog restaurant
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Hamas chief says group seeks complete truce in Gaza
Palestinian Territories - Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday reiterated the group's demand of a complete ceasefire in Gaza, a...
Geostrategy
UNRWA chief says Israel wants to destroy agency
Geneva, Switzerland - Israel is waging a concerted campaign aimed at destroying UNRWA, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian...
Geostrategy
Pakistan official admits being part of election rigging
Islamabad, Pakistan - A senior bureaucrat said on Saturday he helped rig Pakistan's elections, a week after polls marred by allegations...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Tech giants sign pact against AI-made political deepfakes
Under the agreement, AI-generated content could be given a watermark or tagged in the metadata at source, although the signatories...
- Among the 20 signatories of the deal, presented on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, were also X, as well as Snap, Adobe and Linkedin
- The tech companies also said they would also work together to develop ways to "detect and address" deceptive election material on their platforms
WTO chief insists global trade body still counts
WTO members' trade ministers have their biennial meeting in Abu Dhabi from February 26-29, at which they could put the...
- World Trade Organization is hoping for results from its 13th ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, particularly on fishing, agriculture and electronic commerce
- WTO chief said the meeting to be tough due to the "economic and political headwinds", from Ukraine war, the attacks in the Red Sea and economic difficulties in Europe and China
Coups, conflicts and crises confront African summit
Ahead of the gathering in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, African Union Commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat voiced alarm at...
- Gabon and Niger will be absent from the summit following their suspension over coups last year -- joining Mali, Guinea, Sudan and Burkina Faso, which are also barred
- Beyond Africa, the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza is a hot topic, with African Union Commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat describing it as a "war of extermination."