Chinese auto giant BYD to integrate DeepSeek, broaden self-driving tech
BYD will install its "God's Eye" autonomous driving system in at least 21 models, including the Seagull budget hatchback priced...
Business
Israel orders negotiators to Doha after fifth hostage-captive swap completed under truce deal
Hamas official Bassem Naim warned that Israel’s "procrastination" in implementing the agreement could jeopardize the ceasefire, as negotiations began on...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Updates: Israel slaps ban on United Nations and kills more than 150 in Lebanon and Gaza
Shunning international pressure, Israeli parliament passed a bill banning a United Nations aid agency, and also intensified its strikes against...
- UNRWA has provided essential aid, schooling, healthcare and assistance across the Palestinian territories and to Palestinian refugees
- US President Joe Biden said: "We need a [Gaza] ceasefire. We should end this war. It should end, it should end, it should end."
Business
Global VC investment falls to lowest level in nearly seven years
 Global VC investment fell from a five-quarter high of US$95.5 billion in Q2'24 to a nearly seven-year low of US$70.1...
- Global VC investment drops from US$95.5 billion to US$70.1 billion quarter-over-quarter
- AI accounts for six of ten largest VC deals globally in Q3'24
Geostrategy
Iran FM says ‘received indications’ before Israeli attack
Araghchi said the "necessary measures" were taken when the attack unfolded, adding that he had been in contact with military...
- "We had received indications since the evening about the possibility of an attack that night," Araghchi told reporters without specifying the nature of the indications
- US news website Axios on Saturday said Israel has "sent message to Iran" ahead of its attack and warned it "against a response"
Economy
Oil prices tumble after Israeli attacks spare Iran facilities
Tokyo, Japan - Oil prices tumbled in early Asian trading Monday with dealers relieved that Israeli strikes carried out Saturday against...
- The price of North Sea Brent for delivery in December fell by 4.05 percent to $72.97, while West Texas Intermediate plunged by 4.19 percent to $68.77
- "Israel's strike, carefully avoiding energy sites, has softened fears of a full-scale conflict with Iran," said Stephen Innes, analyst at SPI Asset Management
Geostrategy
Media: Two major American liberal newspapers refuse to endorse Kamala Harris
With few days remaining to vote in the US election, two major liberal American newspapers have decided not to endorse...
- The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post say they will not endorse Kamala Harris or any presidential candidate
- "Our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent"
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia opens resort island at futuristic mega-city NEOM
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's planned futuristic mega-city known as NEOM announced on Sunday the opening of its "first physical...
- The Red Sea island, known as Sindalah, is "spread over 840,000 square meters" (200 acres) and will be set to receive "up to 2,400 guests per day by 2028".
- NEOM is best known for The Line, twin mirror-encased 170-kilometre-long skyscrapers meant to extend inland from the coast.
Geostrategy
Updates: Iran calls on UN Security Council to condemn Israeli strikes amid fresh peace efforts
Iran unlikely to escalate situation with Israel, say experts, as UN chief says destruction in Gaza is "shocking". Netanyahu faces...
- Iran sends letter to the UN Council to condemn Israeli "aggression" intelligence chief meet in Doha to discuss ceasefire
- "Repeated efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies essential to survive -- food, medicine and shelter -- continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities..."
Geostrategy
Updates: Israel targets key military sites in Iran amid escalating tensions in Middle East
Explosions sounded across Tehran after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military sites, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle...
- The rapid escalation of violence has heightened fears across the region and beyond of a wider war, pitting Israel against Iran and the allies it dubs the "axis of resistance"
- US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the "targeted strikes on military targets" are " exercise of self-defence and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack
Arts & Culture
Saudis part ways with coach Mancini after a run of poor results
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's football body said it was ending the contract of national coach Roberto Mancini after 14...
- The Saudi Football Federation has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of Mancini, 59, who signed a lucrative deal until 2027 in August last year.
- Building a strong national team is a priority for the oil-rich Saudis who splashed more than a billion dollars on players last year and are the sole bidders for the 2034 World Cup.
Geostrategy
Israel and Hamas near ceasefire talks, spy chief heads to Qatar as truce momentum builds
Israel’s Mossad chief will travel to Qatar for ceasefire negotiations as Hamas signals readiness to halt fighting, contingent on Israel...
- Previous bids to stop the year-long war have failed, though the United States has voiced hope the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as opening for a deal
- A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group's Doha-based leadership discussed "ideas and proposals" related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo
Chinese auto giant BYD to integrate DeepSeek, broaden self-driving tech
BYD will install its "God's Eye" autonomous driving system in at least 21 models, including the Seagull budget hatchback priced...
Business
Company News
Latest News
UN envoy warns Syria conflict not over yet
United Nations' special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, referring to fighting between the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and...
TikTok under fire: Espionage claims, election influence campaigns and controversies
The platform faces accusations of espionage in the United States, while the European Union has launched an investigation into claims...
Geostrategy
Syria since Assad’s overthrow: latest developments
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said that all rebel factions in Syria would "be disbanded and the fighters trained to...
Most Read
Business
US stocks mostly rise ahead of expected rate cut, bitcoin hits new record
The Fed is widely expected to cut its key lending rate for a third straight time, reducing it by a...
- Bitcoin hit a new record high at $106,493.43 as it continues to gain support from Donald Trump's backing of cryptocurrencies.
- Investors are turning their attention to Wednesday's US Federal Reserve decision on borrowing costs at its last policy meeting of the year before Trump takes office next month.
Nations step up outreach to Syria’s post-Assad rulers
Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels...
- Diplomats have urged an inclusive new administration focused on nation-building and justice
- The interim government insists they will protect the rights of all Syrians, and the rule of law
Geostrategy
Israel approves plan aiming to double annexed Golan population, Saudi calls it ‘sabotage’ of Syria
The occupied Golan is home to about 23,000 Druze Arabs, whose presence predates the occupation and most of whom retain...
- The government had "unanimously approved" the 40 million shekel ($11 million) "plan for the demographic development of the Golan., Netanyahu office said
- Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, since 1967 and annexed that area in 1981 in a move recognised only by the United States