Israel army says shelling Syria after projectiles launched
The Israeli military said it was shelling targets in Syria on Tuesday in response to a pair of projectile launches,...
Geostrategy
Lebanon on bumpy road to public transport revival
Beirut, Lebanon - On Beirut's chaotic, car-choked streets, Lebanese student Fatima Fakih rides a shiny purple bus to university, one...
Economy
Economy
Turkish lira plumbs new lows under economic pressure
The designation by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force threatens to further limit foreign direct investments -- already standing at...
- One of the year's worst days for the beleaguered lira started with a central bank decision to cut its policy rate to 16 from 18%
- The lira lost more than 2.5% against the dollar on fears the bank had lost its last vestiges of independence from Turkish President Erdogan
Geostrategy
Turkey’s Islamic defence consultancy takes on West
The company's manifesto says SADAT "aims to assist the Islamic world to take the role among the super global powers...
- The company's manifesto says SADAT "aims to assist the Islamic world to take the role among the super global powers as a self-sufficient global power."
- The firm was established in 2012 by Adnan Tanriverdi-- a brigadier general whose service ended during a purge of Islamic influence from the traditionally secular military in 1996
Science
Covid may have killed over 180000 health care workers: WHO
A WHO paper estimated that out of the planet's 135 million health staff, "between 80,000 to 180,000 health and care...
- WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health care workers needed to be among the first immunised against the disease
- The WHO wants each country to have vaccinated 40 percent of its population by the end of the year
Qatar World Cup final venue 98.5 percent complete: official
The Lusail Stadium is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the capital Doha and will host a number of matches...
- The Lusail Stadium is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the capital Doha and will host a number of matches during the tournament, including the final
- It is one of eight stadiums that Qatar has designated for the World Cup, which will be the first ever in the Middle East
Geostrategy
Syria says 24 executed over starting wildfires
Eleven others were sentenced to hard labor for life, four to temporary penal labor and five minors were handed jail...
- Their identities were not disclosed, and no details were provided on where and how the executions took place.
- The suspects were identified late last year in an interior ministry probe into wildfires in the provinces of Latakia, Tartus and Homs, the justice ministry said.
Geostrategy
Oversight panel will review Facebook VIP system
The so-called "cross-check" or "XCheck" system shields millions of elite users from rules that Facebook claims to apply equally at...
- Facebook has criticism after former employee Frances Haugen leaked internal studies showing the company knew of potential harm stoked by its sites.
- Whistleblower's revelations had prompted US lawmakers' to renew a push for regulation.
Economy
Turkey cuts interest rate for second successive month despite soaring inflation
Turkey's central bank cut interest rates for the second successive month on Thursday in what economists interpreted as confirmation of...
- The central bank has blamed rising inflation on "transitory" factors that will dissipate with time.
- The lira extended its fall into record-low territory against the dollar and euro after the announcement.
Arts & Culture
Political prisoners in Egypt revive rich writing from jail
Egypt has a long history of political prisoners turning to writing to capture their experiences in confinement.
- Several Egyptian poets have in recent times had their literature — written while they were in prison — published to varied acclaim
- They include the likes of Abdel Fattah and Egyptian activist Ahmed Douma
Business
New Zealand passes law to make banks report climate impact
New Zealand has passed a law that will force banks to reveal the impact of their investments on climate change....
- New Zealand’s Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the law was meant banks, insurance companies, and investment firms
- He said it would require them to make mandatory disclosures about their portfolios' global warming record from next year
Business
Trump launching new social media network called ‘TRUTH Social’
The long-awaited platform will be owned by Trump Media & Technology Group.
- The long-awaited platform will be owned by Trump Media & Technology Group
- The platform also intends to launch a subscription video on-demand service
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
Israel army says shelling Syria after projectiles launched
The Israeli military said it was shelling targets in Syria on Tuesday in response to a pair of projectile launches,...
Geostrategy
Company News
Birkenstock declares IPO prize
Business
Latest News
Shell halts Red Sea shipments over attack fears, say report
WASHINGTON, US - British oil giant Shell has paused transit through the key Red Sea shipping route indefinitely, over fears of...
Geostrategy
Nespresso faces $330 m lawsuit in Switzerland over capsules
Zurich, Switzerland - A French television star and a group of investors are demanding 280 million Swiss francs ($330 million) from...
Business
Counterfeit products cost Europe $13 billion, 200,000 jobs a year
Paris, France - Counterfeit products -- mainly clothes -- cost the European economy 16 billion euros a year and result in...
Business
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Business
Goldman Sachs profits up 58%
Revenues rose seven percent to $11.3 billion.
- In the fourth quarter, Goldman Sachs' revenues from equity trading surged 26 percent, while the bank's own holdings in public equities also enjoyed a hefty increase.
- Rival financial heavyweight Morgan Stanley reported a 35 percent drop in profits to $1.4 billion on a one percent rise in revenues to $12.9 billion.
World Economic Forum
In Davos, Chinese premier takes aim at trade ‘barriers’
Li's remarks came as the World Economic Forum's (WEF's) 54th annual conference is preoccupied with a slew of global risks,...
- Li did not name any countries but Beijing has tussled with the United States and the European Union over trade in recent years, particularly on high-tech and clean energy.
- US-China trade tensions soared under the presidency of Donald Trump and have continued under President Joe Biden.
Iraq recalls Iran envoy in rebuke to ally over deadly strikes
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had destroyed the "Zionist regime's spy headquarters in the Kurdistan region of Iraq." The strike...
- Iraq challenged Iran's claim that the strikes targeted Israel's intelligence services in response to recent Israeli assassinations of Iranian and pro-Iranian commanders
- Iran defended its missile strikes in Iraq and Syria, saying they were a "targeted operation" and "just punishment" against those who breach the Islamic republic's security