Trump touts ‘done’ deal with Beijing on rare earths, Chinese students
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that China would supply rare earth minerals and magnets -- vital elements for...
Business
Israel deports Greta Thunberg after intercepting Gaza-bound aid boat
Tel Aviv, Israel - Campaigner Greta Thunberg arrived home in Sweden late Tuesday, after Israel detained her and other activists aboard...
Geostrategy
Economy
US bans Xinjiang imports, forcing firms to navigate sticky diplomacy
The new law bans the import of all goods from the region unless companies offer verifiable proof that production did...
- The new law bans the import of all goods from the region unless companies offer verifiable proof that production did not involve forced labor
- The vote came despite lobbying by US firms, many of which are heavily dependent on Chinese suppliers
Economy
Asia markets climb as Covid fears recede
Studies indicating Omicron infections are less likely to result in hospitalisation have increased confidence that the pandemic will have less...
- Studies indicating Omicron infections are less likely to result in hospitalisation have increased confidence that the pandemic will have less impact on the economy
- On Wall Street, the S&P 500 ended the last session before the holiday weekend at a fresh record following a raft of mostly decent US economic data
Arts & Culture
Young Iraqi film students tell their own stories from Mosul
In a collaboration between the Mosul fine arts academy, a Belgian theatre company and UNESCO, 19 students are getting a...
- In a collaboration between the Mosul fine arts academy, a Belgian theatre company and UNESCO, 19 students are getting a chance to make their first short films
- Over a four-month course, students get a taste of everything from writing and shooting to acting and editing
Business
Iran accepts tea in payment for Sri Lankan $251 million oil debt
Iran has agreed to accept Ceylon tea in payment for a Sri Lankan oil debt valued at $251 million, Iranian...
- In 2016, Ceylon tea made up nearly half of Iranian consumption, but the proportion has declined in recent years.
- The barter deal will allow sanctions-hit Iran to avoid having to use up scarce hard currency to pay for imports of the widely consumed staple.
Geostrategy
Talks to revive Iran nuclear deal will resume next week: EU chair
Officials have said the deal would become obsolete within weeks if Iran continued to step up its nuclear activities as...
- Negotiations restarted in November after a five-month hiatus to try to restore the deal, which was to offer Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
- Diplomats from parties to the deal -- China, Britain, France, Germany and Russia -- are in talks in Vienna with Iran and the US, with the two sides refusing direct contact.
Geostrategy
World Bank pledges $37 million to help Lebanon teachers
The World Bank on Thursday said it agreed with its partners to repurpose $37 million in funds to help Lebanon's...
- The "exceptional" financing, which is valid only for the 2021-2022 academic year, came at the request of Lebanon's government, the bank said.
- Public school teachers who were already underpaid before the onset of the economic crisis two years ago have since been pushed deeper into poverty.
Arts & Culture
AfCon to be held as planned despite Omicron surge
The Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that AFCON 2021 will go ahead as planned in January...
- The AFCON will take place in Cameroon starting from January 9 to February 6, 2022 despite deadly surge of the Omicron virus
- Nobody would be allowed to set foot in the stadiums without a negative PCR test
Economy
China gives celebrities 10 days to shell out unpaid taxes
China has launched a sweeping state crackdown on tax evasion and perceived immoral behavior in the entertainment industry. The move...
- YouTuber Huang Wei was ordered to pay a record $200 million fine for tax evasion on Monday
- Actress Zheng Shuang was in August hit with a $46-million fine for tax evasion
Science
US authorizes Pfizer’s anti-Covid pill as Omicron surges
Paxlovid, which comprises two types of tablet, was granted an emergency use authorisation by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Paxlovid, which comprises two types of tablet, was granted an emergency use authorisation by the Food and Drug Administration
- The FDA stressed the treatment should complement rather than replace vaccines, which remain the frontline tool against the coronavirus
Geostrategy
Libya delays long-awaited election seen as key to peace
The election, intended to go hand-in-hand with parliamentary polls, was part of a United Nations-led peace process.
- The election, intended to go hand-in-hand with parliamentary polls, was part of a United Nations-led peace process.
- The political uncertainty has raised tensions on the ground across Libya, which is controlled by an array of armed groups
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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
Trump touts ‘done’ deal with Beijing on rare earths, Chinese students
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that China would supply rare earth minerals and magnets -- vital elements for...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Iran puts three satellites simultaneously into orbit
Western governments including the United States have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used...
Geostrategy
UN chief asks donors for ‘continuity’ in Gaza agency operations
The row between Israel and UNRWA follows the UN's ICJ ruling that Israel must prevent possible acts of genocide in...
Geostrategy
Israel to stop UN agency’s activities in Gaza after war
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on UNRWA Commissioner-General to quit his post. Katz said in a statement that the...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
US troops destroy Houthi’s anti-ship missile in Yemen
US forces struck an anti-ship missile in Houthi-held Yemen that they said was ready to fire, hours after the Iran-backed...
- The US has also carried out a series of unilateral air raids, but the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks.
- The Houthis' Al-Masirah television said the US and the UK launched two air strikes on the port of Ras Issa in Yemen's Hodeida province.
Geostrategy
UK expresses concern over UN court decision on Gaza
The British government said it had "considerable concerns" about a ruling by the United Nation's top court that Israel should...
- "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with IHL (international humanitarian law)," the British spokesperson said.
- The Foreign Office, however, added that it welcomed the ICJ's call for the immediate release of hostages and to get more aid into Gaza.
Geostrategy
Baghdad, Washington to discuss removal of foreign troops from Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq - Iraq and the United States on Saturday held a "first round" of talks on the future of American...
- Washington had said that it had agreed with Baghdad on the launch of "expert working groups of military and defense professionals".
- The talks, planned for months, come at a time of heightened tensions in Iraq and the region linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.