In Data Center Alley, AI sows building boom, doubts
Ashburn, United States -- As planes make their final approach to Washington DC's Dulles Airport, just below lies Ashburn, a...
Business
Saudi powers forward with deficit spending to fund diversification of its oil-dependent economy
Saudi Arabia greenlit its 2026 budget Tuesday, projecting a deficit of 165 billion riyals ($44 billion) as the kingdom presses...
Economy
Geostrategy
In skies, as on land, European forces face gaps if US pulls back
Leeuwarden, Netherlands - Fighter jets from the United States, France, Finland and Germany roar into the skies from a Dutch...
- Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has sowed doubt over Washington's commitment to underpinning European security
- But if Trump does decide to withdraw US forces, there are fears that could leave European militaries struggling to plug gaps in key areas
Geostrategy
Bridges in the Gulf: wealthy states mediate crisis after crisis
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - When US and Iranian negotiators meet in Oman on Saturday they will be just the...
- Oman is a long-established venue for Iranian talks, while promoting peace is a pillar of Qatar's foreign policy and even enshrined in its constitution
- More recently Saudi Arabia has caught on, hosting Ukraine ceasefire talks including the latest round in a lavish hotel in Riyadh last month
Geostrategy
Trump warns of military option; Iran threatens to end UN nuclear inspections before Oman talks
Last month, Trump sent a letter to Khamenei, who has the final say in matters of state in Iran, calling...
- A senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran could expel UN nuclear watchdog inspectors over "threats."
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope Thursday that the US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman this weekend could lead to "peace."
Geostrategy
European Union and UAE agree to launch trade deal negotiations
Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "and I just decided to launch negotiations on an EU-UAE free trade agreement,"...
- Sheikh Zayed said that the CEPA would create new avenues for cooperation between the UAE and EU, increase trade and investment flows.
- The EU is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 8.3 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade, which hit $67.6 billion in 2024.
Investigation
Verstappen out to silence McLaren in the battle of Bahrain
McLaren's Lando Norris holds a wafer-thin advantage over four-time world champion Max Verstappen going into this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
- Max Verstappen arrives in Bahrain fresh from one of the best weekends of his life, on the track at least, in Japan
- Friday's opening practice will feature a host of teams giving potential stars of the future a spin
Geostrategy
Turkey opposition to fight Erdogan ‘until the end’: leader tells AFP
The Turkish opposition will fight "until the end" against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the opposition CHP party...
- Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel demanded snap polls that would show the "biggest no confidence vote in history" against Erdogan
- Imamoglu's arrest sparked the biggest opposition protests to grip Turkey since 2013 although the rallies have dipped in intensity over the past 10 days
Geostrategy
US reiterates support for Morocco on Western Sahara
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday renewed US support for Morocco's sovereignty and political plan for Western Sahara, a...
- Trump, during his first term in office, in 2020 recognized Morocco's claim to the vast desert territory after the kingdom normalized relations with Israel
- Morocco mostly controls the former Spanish colony but has been challenged for decades by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front
Geostrategy
Israel seizes Gaza territory as Macron signals imminent French recognition of Palestinian statehood
French President Emmanuel Macron meanwhile said that France plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the "coming months", a move...
- Israel's Defence Minister Katz said that "large areas are being seized and added to Israel's security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated."
- Katz emphasised that Israel would keep increasing pressure on Gaza "until the hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated."
Business
China retaliates with 84 percent tariffs on US products
Beijing, China -- China will impose 84 percent tariffs on US imports, up from 34 percent, the finance ministry said...
- US President Donald Trump's latest salvo of tariffs came into effect on dozens of trading partners Wednesday, bringing duties on Chinese products up to 104 percent.
- Beijing has consistently opposed tariff rises and said Wednesday it would take "firm and forceful" steps to protect its interests.
Geostrategy
Saudi foreign minister in US to prepare for Trump visit
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's top diplomat is in Washington to lay the groundwork for US President Donald Trump's...
- Last month, Trump said he may visit Saudi Arabia as early as April in a reprisal of 2017, when the kingdom was the first destination of his first term in office.
- Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington on Tuesday, aiming to "prepare for Trump's visit to Riyadh", the source close to the Saudi government said.
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In Data Center Alley, AI sows building boom, doubts
Ashburn, United States -- As planes make their final approach to Washington DC's Dulles Airport, just below lies Ashburn, a...
Business
Company News
Latest News
Israel says will not allow Gaza-bound aid flotilla to break its blockade
The Global Sumud Flotilla, also carrying prominent pro-Palestinian advocates including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, set sail for Gaza earlier...
Geostrategy
IEA feels the heat as Washington pushes pro-oil agenda
Paris, France -- No stranger to ire from oil-producing nations, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is facing pressure from the...
Geostrategy
‘I don’t recognise my country,’ says Angelina Jolie
San Sebastian, Spain - American actress Angelina Jolie said Sunday she no longer recognises her country, voicing concern over threats...
Arts & Culture
Most Read
Geostrategy
Embattled Turkey opposition re-elects leader at party congress
Turkey's main opposition CHP re-elected its leader Ozgur Ozel at an extraordinary congress Sunday as the party fights off a...
- The move comes as the Republican People's Party (CHP), seeks to shore up its leadership as opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have faced a series of lawsuits and arrests
- At Sunday's 22nd extraordinary congress in the capital Ankara, delegates overwhelmingly re-elected Ozel who won all 835 valid votes cast as another 82 were ruled invalid.
Geostrategy
Israel’s Netanyahu says peace with Lebanon and Syria possible
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel's war with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah had created the possibility for peace...
- Syria and Israel have technically been at war since 1948, but the two countries opened direct negotiations after the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad
- In Lebanon, meanwhile, Israel has continued to strike Hezbollah targets despite a November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with the Iran-backed group
Geostrategy
Seismic shift: UK, Australia and Canada recognize Palestinian state
Portugal was also to recognize Palestinian statehood, as Israel came under huge international pressure over the war in Gaza where...
- A poll released by YouGov on Friday showed two-thirds of young Britons aged 18-25 supported Palestinian statehood.
- Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged at the UN in July that "Britain bears a special burden of responsibility to support the two-state solution".