Publishers fight back against US book bans
Frankfurt, Germany -- Escalating attempts to remove works featuring themes such as LGBTQ lifestyles and race relations from US bookshelves...
Geostrategy
Iran says no longer bound by ‘restrictions’ on its nuclear programme
Iran said on Saturday that it was no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as a landmark 10-year...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Jordan’s king urges Gaza ceasefire in talks with Biden
Speaking at the White House while US President Joe Biden stood next to him, King Abdullah of Jordan said that...
- The US has refused to call for a full ceasefire, angering allies in the Middle East
- It was Abdullah's first face-to-face meeting with Biden since the October 7 attack
Geostrategy
Britain sanctions ‘Israeli settlers’ in West Bank
London, UK - Britain on Monday announced sanctions on four "extremist Israeli settlers" accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians...
- The curbs follow what the UK called "unprecedented levels of violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank" over the past year.
- The sanctions represent a rare move by London and Washington against Israelis, as war rages with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Economy
IMF, World Bank say Gaza and Red Sea attacks risk to world economy
World Bank President Ajay Banga said that "what's going on Gaza, but also the challenges of Ukraine... and the Red...
- The Israel-Hamas war raging since October has already hit the Middle East and North Africa region's economy, the IMF chief said.
- She said that if there are other "consequences in terms of where the fighting goes, it could be more problematic for the world as a whole".
Business
Energy transition led Saudi Arabia to halt oil expansion, says official
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom's surprise decision to halt a planned expansion of its oil production capacity reflects ambitions to...
- Aramco announced on January 30 that the energy ministry had ordered it to maintain production capacity at 12 million barrels per day.
- Officials in the world's biggest crude exporter did not explain the move, leaving analysts to speculate that it reflected lack of confidence
Geostrategy
Red Sea issue puts Yemen peace process on hold
DUBAI, UAE- As Houthi attacks roil the Red Sea and Western air raids target the rebels, moves to end Yemen's long-running...
- The Iran-backed Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since March 2015, months after they seized the capital Sanaa.
- Hundreds of thousands of people have died in the fighting and from indirect causes such as disease and malnutrition.
Geostrategy
UAE defends Israel ties, calls for two-state solution
Despite maintaining its ties with Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, the UAE has been at pains to...
- The United Arab Emirates and Israel established diplomatic ties in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords
- UAE's ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said her country has a field hospital in Gaza because of cooperation with Israel.
Geostrategy
Relative of freed Israeli hostages appeals for Gaza deal
Talks have been underway for weeks to secure a second truce in the four-month war, which would see more hostages...
- A special forces raid in Gaza's southern city of Rafah saw Louis Har, 70, and Fernando Simon Marman, 60, freed
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stepped up pressure on Israeli authorities to bring home the remaining captives
Geostrategy
Court asks Netherlands to stop export of F-35 parts to Israel
The Appeals Court in The Hague sided with a group of human rights organizations that argued the parts contributed to...
- The Appeals Court in The Hague sided with a group of human rights organizations that argued the parts contributed to violations of law by Israel in its war with Hamas.
- "Israel does not take sufficient account of the consequences for the civilian population when conducting its attacks," said the court.
Geostrategy
Israeli assault on Rafah a ‘terrifying’ prospect: UN rights chief
UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged world powers to "restrain rather than enable" as fears of a looming ground incursion...
- UN's agriculture agency, meanwhile, said the population of the Gaza Strip is suffering "unprecedented" levels of "near famine-like conditions".
- All 2.2 million people in Gaza are in the top three hunger categories, from level three, which is considered an emergency, to level five, or catastrophe, an FAO official said.
Business
Mesaieed 2023 net profit down 39%
The company's net profit in 2022 was QR 1.76 billion ($482m).
- According to Qatar Stock Exchange website, the Company's Earnings per share (EPS) amounted to QR 0.086 in 2023 versus EPS QR 0.141 for the same period in 2022.
- The Board of Directors recommends a cash dividend of QR 0.086 per share, equating to a payout ratio of 100 percent of net earnings for 2023.
Most Read
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
Publishers fight back against US book bans
Frankfurt, Germany -- Escalating attempts to remove works featuring themes such as LGBTQ lifestyles and race relations from US bookshelves...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
73 Palestinians killed in Gaza as Netanyahu vows to recover hostages amid escalated strikes
Netanyahu has come under strong pressure to get the hostages back after US President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed...
Geostrategy
Arab Parliament condemns Israeli West Bank annexation statements
Cairo, Egypt -- Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament, has strongly condemned and rejected the dangerous...
Geostrategy
Japan plans ‘world first’ deep-sea mineral extraction from Jan
Tokyo, Japan -- Japan will from January attempt to extract rare earth minerals from the ocean floor in the deepest...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Science
Possible interstellar object zooming through Solar System: ESA
Excited astronomers are still refining their calculations, but the object appears to be zooming at a speed up to 60...
- The object, which is currently being referred to as A11pl3Z, poses no threat to Earth, the ESA's planetary defence head Richard Moissl told AFP
- "It will fly deep through the Solar System, passing just inside the orbit of Mars," but not threatening to hit our neighbouring planet, he said
Geostrategy
Syria state media says talk of peace deal with Israel ‘premature’
Syrian state media reported Wednesday that statements on signing a peace deal with Israel were "premature", days after Israel said...
- "Statements concerning signing a peace agreement with the Israeli occupation at this time are considered premature," state TV reported an unidentified official source as saying
- "It is not possible to talk of the possibility of negotiations over a new agreement unless the occupation fully adheres the 1974 disengagement agreement," it added.
Geostrategy
Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog after Israel, US strikes
It came after last month's 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which saw unprecedented Israeli and US strikes on Iran's...
- It came after last month's 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which saw unprecedented Israeli and US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
- On June 25, a day after a ceasefire took hold, Iranian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to suspend cooperation with the Vienna-based IAEA