US private sector lost 32,000 jobs last month in surprise drop
President Donald Trump has been touting the economy's health, and forecasts had incorrectly predicted the monthly data would show a...
Geostrategy
If Europe wants war with Russia, ‘we are ready,’ says Putin as he meets US envoys over Ukraine deal
Washington has presented a 28-point draft to end the conflict, later amended after criticism from Kyiv and Europe, which viewed...
Geostrategy
Economy
World Bank approves $1.1 bn in financing for Jordan
The World Bank announced Tuesday it will provide Jordan with $1.1 billion in new financing to support economic reforms and...
- The funding, part of an economic modernization effort, aims to "build socio-economic resilience in the face of continued shocks and crises."
- The investments cover four projects designed to support inclusive growth and job creation, help start-ups and small businesses
Geostrategy
Hamas official says ‘necessary to reach a ceasefire’ in Gaza
A Hamas official told AFP on Tuesday that it was "necessary to reach a ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip, three...
- "This war cannot continue indefinitely, and it is therefore necessary to reach a ceasefire," Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau, told AFP
- US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day earlier said that new negotiations were in the works aimed at getting more hostages freed
Economy
Trump’s new tariffs take effect, with 104% on Chinese goods
US President Donald Trump's punishing tariffs on dozens of economies came in force Wednesday, including over 100 percent in levies...
- China is the hardest hit, with tariffs imposed on its products since Trump returned to the White House now reaching a staggering 104%
- Trump said Tuesday his government was working on "tailored deals" with trading partners, prioritizing allies like Japan and South Korea
Geostrategy
Amid Israeli warning of military action, Iran says deal can be reached if US shows goodwill
Trump made the surprise announcement that his administration would open talks with Iran during a White House meeting on Monday...
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran's principal aim remained the lifting of sweeping US sanctions
- Their reimposition by President Donald Trump in 2018 has dealt a heavy blow to the Iranian economy
Geostrategy
After Instagram restrictions, Meta to introduce teen accounts for Facebook
Paris, France -- Meta on Tuesday announced that it was extending its teen accounts to its social network Facebook, after...
- The accounts were brought in for 13- to 15-year-old Instagram users last September as part of moves to shield underage internet users from online harms.
- Teens are immediately placed in such accounts, with those under 16 unable to change settings without parental permission.
Business
Borouge to increase dividend from 2025
The company okayed $650 million final dividend for 2024.
- At the current Borouge share price, this would give investors a 40 percent minimum cumulative dividend return from 2025 to 2030, the highest in the UAE.
- The AGM also approved a share buyback of up to 2.5 percent of outstanding shares via open-market transactions, subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.
Geostrategy
Yemen rebels say targeted Israel army site, US warships in Red sea: statement
Yemen's Huthis said they targeted a military site in Israel and attacked two US destroyers in the Red Sea Monday,...
- The Iran-backed group carried out a military operation targeting an Israeli military target in the occupied area of Yaffa (Tel Aviv)
- The Huthis also claimed to have targeted "two US destroyers with several cruise missiles and drones" in the Red Sea
Economy
China vows ‘fight to the end’ as Trump warns 50% more tariffs
China vowed on Tuesday to "fight to the end" against fresh tariffs of 50 percent threatened by US President Donald...
- Trump upended the world economy last week with sweeping tariffs that have raised the spectre of an international recession
- Beijing, Washington's major economic rival, responded by announcing its own 34 percent duties on US goods to come into effect on Thursday
Geostrategy
Netanyahu meets Trump for tariff and Gaza talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, becoming the first foreign leader to...
- Netanyahu and Trump are also set to discuss Gaza, where a short-lived US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, and growing tensions with Iran
- Trump greeted Netanyahu outside the West Wing and pumped his fist, before the two leaders went inside for a meeting in the Oval Office.
Geostrategy
PA alone must be in charge of post-war Gaza, say France, Egypt and Jordan
Cairo, Egypt -- The leaders of France, Egypt and Jordan on Monday said the Palestinian Authority alone must be in...
- French President Emmanuel Macron earlier said that Palestinian group Hamas should have no role in governing the Gaza Strip once its war with Israel is over.
- King Abdullah stressed the need for "a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution", a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
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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
US private sector lost 32,000 jobs last month in surprise drop
President Donald Trump has been touting the economy's health, and forecasts had incorrectly predicted the monthly data would show a...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Who recognises the State of Palestine, who doesn’t, and why does it make a difference?
Here is an overview of diplomatic recognition of the state, which was unilaterally proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile...
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...
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...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
White House says $100,000 H-1B visa fee to be one-time payment
Washington, United States -- The White House issued a major clarification Saturday to its new H-1B visa policy that had...
- H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialized skills to work in the United States, initially for three years but extendable to six.
- Such visas are widely used by the tech industry. Indian nationals account for nearly three-quarters of the permits allotted via lottery system each year.
Geostrategy
Landmark shift: Britain to recognize Palestinian state today
The United Kingdom has historically been a staunch supporter of Israel but has shifted position as Israel has intensified the...
- The small Palestinian territory has since suffered vast destruction, death and lack of food that have resulted in a major humanitarian crisis.
- Starmer said in July that Britain would formally recognize the State of Palestine if Israel did not take "substantive steps" towards a ceasefire with Hamas.
Geostrategy
Floating wind power sets sail in Japan’s energy shift
Still heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, Japan has declared offshore wind energy a "trump card" in its drive to...
- That's despite rising project costs and fears over inadequate infrastructure to produce turbines en masse.
- Floating turbines are particularly well suited to Japan as its deep coastal waters make fixing them to seabeds tricky.