Saudi prince, eyeing defense pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer...
Geostrategy
Business
China’s Xi promises US$50 billion for Africa over next three years
China, the world's number two economy, is Africa's largest trading partner
- More than 50 African leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are attending the China-Africa forum
- "Over the next three years, the Chinese government is willing to provide financial support amounting to US$50.7 billion," Xi said
Israeli airstrike kills five Palestinians in West Bank
Palestinian medics said an air strike targeting a car in the occupied West Bank killed five people on Thursday, while...
- Israel launched a large-scale offensive across the northern West Bank on August 28, killing 38 Palestinians
- A large number of Israeli troops stormed the Al-Faraa refugee camp in Tubas governorate, where explosions were heard.
Geostrategy
German foreign minister heads to Middle East in Gaza truce push
The talks will focus on "the dramatic situation in the region", and especially to discuss the issue of coordinating humanitarian...
- Pressure has mounted on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal to end the fighting
- Baerbock will set off Wednesday evening for Saudi Arabia where she will hold talks with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud
Geostrategy
Pressure piles on Israel’s Netanyahu over Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting international and domestic pressure after the killing in Gaza of six captives, with...
- Britain said Monday it would suspend some arms exports to Israel
- A strike a by the Histadrut trade union seeking a hostage deal brought parts of Israel to a standstill
Arts & Culture
In the heart of Beirut, one family upholds a unique dessert tradition
Beirut, Lebanon - At a shop nestled in a busy, crowded Beirut district, Hasan El-Makary is weighing out containers of warm,...
- Makary, 73, said he used to sell other sweets but as demand grew for mufataka, he abandoned the rest and now just makes the yellow pudding
- The rice must be soaked overnight, and Makary said he comes to the shop at 5:00 am to make the dish, which takes around four hours
Geostrategy
Two ships hit off rebel-held Yemeni region: maritime agencies
The Houthis said in a statement they had targeted the Blue Lagoon with "missiles and drones, and it was directly...
- One attack was claimed by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have targeted ships they say are linked to Israel
- The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said the first vessel, identified as Panama-flagged tanker Blue Lagoon I, was hit by two ballistic missiles
Geostrategy
Biden, unions pile pressure on Netanyahu for hostage release deal
Jerusalem -- Pressure mounted Monday on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a major strike was held and US President...
- A strike announced by the main trade union seeking a deal to secure the remaining captives' release had brought parts of the country to a standstill.
- Alongside the surging domestic anger, diplomatic pressure has also grown, with the US president on Monday delivering some of his strongest criticism of Netanyahu.
Business
Bahrain to introduce minimum tax for large multinationals
Beginning in January 2025, the measure will place a minimum tax of 15 percent on revenues over 750 million euros ($830...
- A small oil producer and non-OPEC member, Bahrain has sought in recent years to diversify its revenues, which, like its Gulf neighbors, is largely dependent on hydrocarbons.
- The UAE last year began taxing the profits of companies worth more than 375,000 dirhams (roughly 91,500 euros) at 9 percent.
Israel set for general strike after Gaza hostages found dead
A nationwide strike aimed at ramping up pressure on Israel's government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in...
- Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, 97 remain captive
- At least 637 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops
Business
Major Qatari plant to double solar capacity by 2030: Energyminister
Doha, Qatar -- A large new solar plant planned in Qatar will double the Gulf emirate's previously projected renewable energy capacity...
- The plant will be established in Dukhan area will produce 2,000 megawatts, which is twice more than the capacity of Qatar's production of solar energy of the current projects.
- The energy minister also announced plans to more than double Qatar's urea production making the country the largest producer of the fertilizer in the world by the end of the decade
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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
Saudi prince, eyeing defense pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Electric cars are more eco-friendly even in US, study finds
Paris, France -- Electric vehicles are less harmful to the environment than their petrol-guzzling counterparts even in the United States,...
Research
Human ancestor Lucy gets first European showing in Prague
Prague, Czech Republic --The 3.18-million-year-old bone fragments of human ancestor Lucy, which rarely leave Ethiopia, went on display in Prague...
Science
Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital
According to the media watchdogs Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, around 200 journalists have been killed in...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
Israeli bulldozers uproot hundreds of trees in West Bank village, most of them olive trees
"The goal is control and forcing people to leave. This is just the beginning -- it will expand across the...
- Abdelatif Mohammed Abu Aliya, a local farmer from the village near Ramallah, said he lost olive trees that were over 70 years old on about one hectare of land
- "They completely uprooted and levelled them under false pretences," he said, explaining he and other residents had already begun replanting the pulled-up trees
Geostrategy
Iran’s Khamenei says will not bow down to US
The remarks, delivered at a mosque in the capital Tehran, come two months since fighting halted between Iran and its...
- The rare Israeli and US attacks in June, which targeted key nuclear sites and prompted Iranian retaliation, were designed to destabilize the Islamic republic, Khamenei argued.
- He said that a day after "Iran was attacked" by Israel at the start of the war, "American agents" met in Europe "to discuss what government should rule Iran.
Arts & Culture
Bird call contest boosts conservation awareness in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle
The competition brought nearly 100 people together, including a contestant who mimicked the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo.
- Despite its relatively small size, more than 580 types of birds -- about a third of China's total species -- have been recorded in Hong Kong.
- That diversity is attributed to Hong Kong's status as a vital stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds.