Hamas proposes weapons ‘freeze’ in return for long-term truce: leader to Al Jazeera
A top Hamas leader told Qatari news channel Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the militant group is open to a...
Geostrategy
Palestine, Syria celebrate reaching Arab Cup quarter-finals
Celebrations erupted on the pitch and in the stands in Doha on Sunday when both Palestine and Syria made it...
Economy
Geostrategy
Syria FM says wants to ‘strengthen relations’ with China
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed on Monday his government's willingness to build a "strategic partnership" with China, a key...
- A foreign ministry statement said that Shaibani met with the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, at UN headquarters in New York
- In the meeting with Beijing's envoy, Shaibani said the two countries "will work together to build a long-term strategic partnership in the near future
Geostrategy
Abu Dhabi launches $500mn maternal health fund for Africa
Nairobi, Kenya -- A $500-million fund aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa was launched Tuesday in...
- The Beginnings Fund brings together philanthropists including the Gates Foundation and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, run by the UAE president.
- It set a deadline of 2030 to reach the $500-million target and has already reached $450 million in pledges, organizers said in a statement.
Business
Emirates expects first 777X delivery in H2 2026
Boeing had pushed back the first delivery to 2026 from 2025.
- In 2024, group's chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum urged Boeing to "fix" its problems, warning the embattled aircraft-maker he was unhappy with delays to the 777X.
- Boeing had been mired in problems including safety concerns after two 737 MAX crashes within five months and another scare involving the aircraft over Alaska in Jan 2024.
Geostrategy
UN rights chief demands world act to stop Israel’s Gaza ‘catastrophe’
"As the complete blockade of assistance essential for survival enters its ninth week, there must be concerted international efforts to...
- It halted aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2, days before the collapse of a ceasefire that had significantly reduced hostilities after 15 months of war.
- Supplies are dwindling and the UN's World Food Programme last Friday said it had sent out its "last remaining food stocks".
Business
Meta releases standalone AI app, competing with ChatGPT
San Francisco, United States -- Social media behemoth Meta unveiled its first standalone AI assistant app on Tuesday as it...
- Zuckerberg said the app "is designed to be your personal AI" and would be primarily accessed through voice conversations with the interactions personalized to the individual user.
- The release comes as OpenAI stands as a leader of straight-to-user AI through its ChatGPT assistant that is regularly updated with new capabilities.
Geostrategy
UN ‘alarmed’ by US strikes in Yemen that Huthis say killed 68 migrants
The United Nations expressed deep alarm on Monday at reports that US strikes on Yemen killed scores of people at...
- The US military has hammered the Iran-backed Huthis with near-daily strikes since March 15 in an operation dubbed "Rough Rider."
- Huthi-controlled media said the latest strikes on the movement's stronghold of Saada killed at least 68 people, all Africans
Geostrategy
Amnesty accuses Israel of ‘live-streamed genocide’ against Gaza Palestinians
Paris, France - Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Israel of committing a "live-streamed genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza by forcibly...
- In its annual report, Amnesty charged that Israel had acted with "specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, thus committing genocide."
- Israel has rejected accusations of "genocide" from Amnesty, other rights groups and some states in its war in Gaza
Business
Amazon launches first Starlink-rival internet satellites
Project Kuiper, a subsidiary of the online retail giant founded by Jeff Bezos, is playing catch-up with Starlink - SpaceX's...
- The $10 billion initiative plans to deploy 3,200 satellites into low Earth orbit - the region of space up to 1,200 miles - with hopes of going live later this year
- SpaceX launched the first batch of Starlink satellites in 2019 and now boasts more than 6,750 operational units, serving over five million customers worldwide
Geostrategy
Putin orders three-day ceasefire; Zelensky slams it as manipulative ahead of Victory Day
Before Putin's announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held new talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, having declared that...
- Before Putin’s announcement, US Secretary of State Rubio told Lavrov this week is critical for peace efforts
- The Kremlin said Putin had ordered a "ceasefire" for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day from May 8 to May 10
Geostrategy
Brazil calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza at BRICS ministers’ meet
The meeting comes at a critical moment for the world economy after the International Monetary Fund this week slashed growth...
- "The resumption of Israeli bombardments and the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid are unacceptable," Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said.
- The BRICS grouping has expanded significantly since its 2009 inception, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.
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Hamas proposes weapons ‘freeze’ in return for long-term truce: leader to Al Jazeera
A top Hamas leader told Qatari news channel Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the militant group is open to a...
Geostrategy
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Trump gives Hamas ultimatum of ‘three to four days’ on Gaza deal
The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, a disarmament of Hamas and...
Geostrategy
Trump’s Gaza plan wins Netanyahu backing, but hinges on Hamas disarmament
The plan calls for a ceasefire, release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas and gradual Israeli...
US sanctions on key Indian project in Iran take effect
US sanctions went into effect Monday on a major Indian port project in Iran, as President Donald Trump again showed...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
Electronic Arts to be bought by PIF-led consortium for $55 bn
Washington, United States -- Video game giant Electronic Arts announced Monday it would be acquired by a consortium led by...
- EA said this would be the largest all-cash private equity buyout in history.
- Saudi Arabia's PIF, which already holds a 9.9 percent stake in EA, will roll over its existing investment as part of the transaction.
Geostrategy
Trump ‘very confident’ of Gaza deal as he hosts Netanyahu
He repeated "very confident" when asked if all parties were on board with the 21-point plan to end the nearly two-year...
- The US president met key Arab leaders at the United Nations last week and said Sunday on social media that "ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER."
- But Netanyahu has given little reason for optimism, vowing in a defiant UN speech Friday to "finish the job" against Hamas and rejecting Palestinian statehood.
Economy
India, Pakistan trade accusations after Asia Cup trophy debacle
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Pakistan captain Salman Agha said India had "disrespected cricket" while Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav complained...
- The two teams did not shake hands for the third Asia Cup match running as India won the final by five wickets in Dubai on Sunday
- Suryakumar's side did not attend the victory ceremony after refusing to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council