Iran calls Israeli strikes ‘declaration of war’ amid international calls for restraint
Trump warns Tehran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Iran should cut a deal...
Geostrategy
MENA brief Jun 13: Prince Salman to skip G7 meet, OpenAI in funds talks with PIF
In the financial sector, Fitch Ratings has projected a notable uptick in mergers and acquisitions within Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry....
Geostrategy
Science
European archaeologists back in Iraq after years of war
The modern history of Iraq -- with its succession of conflicts, especially since the 2003 US-led invasion and its bloody...
- The modern history of Iraq -- with its succession of conflicts, especially since the 2003 US-led invasion and its bloody aftermath -- has kept foreign researchers at bay
- Iraq's Council of Antiquities and Heritage director Laith Majid Hussein said he is delighted to play host, and is happy that his country is back on the map for foreign expeditions
Arts & Culture
Saudi ‘hotel’ grooms camels for beauty contest
For just over $100 a night, the camels are trimmed, scrubbed and pampered before taking part in beauty contests, where...
- For just over $100 a night, the camels are trimmed, scrubbed and pampered before taking part in beauty contests, where millions of dollars are at stake
- The camels, many of which are rented, are checked closely for Botox and other illegal enhancements which could see them thrown out for cheating
Economy
World economy at risk as Omicron engulfs Europe
More than half of people in Europe will likely catch Omicron by March, the WHO has said amid a World...
- The WHO's regional director for Europe Hans Kluge described a ‘new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across’ the region
- The WHO's European region covers 53 countries and territories including several in Central Asia, 50 of them had Omicron cases
Business
Fact-checkers urge YouTube to fight disinformation
More than 80 fact-checking organisations Wednesday urged online video platform YouTube to better combat disinformation, offering to help debunk false...
- Videos containing false information had gone "under the radar of YouTube's policies, especially in non-English speaking countries", they said in an open letter to YouTube
- YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez said that fact checking was a "crucial tool", but just "one piece of a much larger puzzle to address the spread of misinformation"
Economy
Lebanon prosecutor hits central bank chief with travel ban
Riad Salameh is among the top Lebanese officials blamed for a financial crisis that the World Bank says is of...
- The travel ban is pursuant to a lawsuit filed by an activist group against Riad Salameh over alleged financial misconduct
- Salameh has also been summoned for questioning over the case but the exact date of the session has yet to be publicly disclosed
Science
Repeated Covid-19 boosters is not a viable strategy: WHO
The Technical Advisory Group on Covid-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-Co-VAC), an expert group created by the WHO to assess the performance...
- The group under WHO called for the development of new jabs that protect people who get Covid-19 against falling seriously ill
- It added that such vaccines should also be better at preventing people from catching the virus in the first place
Geostrategy
Iran nuclear talks proceeding too slowly, says France
On Monday Iran's foreign ministry spokesman had said that efforts to revive 2015 nuclear agreement had made "good progress."
- On Monday Iran's foreign ministry spokesman had said that efforts to revive 2015 nuclear agreement had made "good progress"
- The 2015 deal offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme
Business
Nokia expects strong 2022
The company said as a supply chain crunch and inflation are set to ease.
- The announcement follows a string of quarterly earnings surprises for the network equipment maker, which last October managed to boost its third quarter profits.
- Nokia now expects an operating margin ranging between 11 percent and 13.5 percent in 2022.
Economy
Lebanon residents join migrant flow to EU as economy spirals
Lebanon, a country of around 6 million people, is grappling with an unprecedented financial crisis that the World Bank says...
- Lebanon, in the throes of a brutal economic crisis, is no longer just a launchpad for Syrian refugees and other foreign migrants
- Its own desperate citizens now also risk drowning in the Mediterranean in their quest for a better life
Geostrategy
Cross-border Syria aid gets 6-month extension without new UN vote
For the West, the renewal to July had been interpreted as automatic, while Russia had raised the possibility of requesting...
- The text provided for "an extension of an additional six months, that is, until 10 July 2022," subject to a report by the UN Secretary-General
- The Security Council had previously renewed the authorization allowing aid into rebel-held areas in the country's northwest until 10 January 2022
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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
Iran calls Israeli strikes ‘declaration of war’ amid international calls for restraint
Trump warns Tehran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Iran should cut a deal...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Eni Q3 profit drops
Business
Saudi football chief brands Mancini penalty walkout ‘unacceptable’
Doha, Qatar - The president of Saudi Arabian football said Roberto Mancini's disappearing act before the end of the penalty shootout...
Arts & Culture
Norway warns of consequences over UNRWA funding cut
"We urge fellow donor countries to reflect on the wider consequences of cutting their funding to UNRWA," Norwegian Foreign Minister...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
Global stock markets swing ahead of Fed’s latest rate decision
"Markets are eagerly anticipating today's meeting from the Federal Reserve with traders looking for signs over whether a March rate...
- London and Paris rose but Frankfurt fell near the half-way stage, after a mixed showing in Asia. The dollar edged higher against the euro and yen
- Investors are hoping the Fed will begin cutting rates soon after hiking them to their highest level in more than two decades to combat inflation
Geostrategy
IMF says Red Sea shipping down one-third due to Houthi attacks
"Container shipping... has declined by almost 30 percent," said Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia...
- The Iran-backed Houthis have launched more than 30 attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels since November 19, the Pentagon said on Tuesday
- Houthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a route that carries about 12 percent of global trade
Business
Qatar awards $6bn in contracts for Al-Shaheen oilfield expansion
The four engineering, installation and procurement contracts will increase production at the Al-Shaheen oilfield -- the country's largest -- by...
- Al-Shaheen currently produces 300,000 barrels per day and is operated through the North Oil Company, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and France's TotalEnergies.
- QatarEnergy said the third phase of expansion at Al-Shaheen, which began production in 1994, will be implemented over five years.