Morocco’s AFCON star Achraf Hakimi: the pride of his mother’s home town
Ksar El Kebir, Morocco – Achraf Hakimi is an idol across Africa Cup of Nations host country Morocco, but there is...
Arts & Culture
Yemen presidential council says Saudi coalition to lead all southern forces
The announcement comes a few days after Yemeni forces supported by Saudi Arabia recaptured large swathes of territory from the...
Geostrategy
Investigation
US agency blames faulty engineering for Titanic sub disaster
Washington, United States - Flawed engineering and inadequate testing contributed to the catastrophic implosion of a private submersible during a...
- Its report comes after a US Coast Guard investigation in August outlined a litany of issues with operator OceanGate's conduct, as well as design flaws in its Titan submersible
- "We found that OceanGate's engineering process for the Titan was inadequate and resulted in the construction of a carbon fiber composite pressure vessel," the report said
Geostrategy
Israel threatens to resume fighting if Hamas does not respect Gaza ceasefire deal
The statement from Defence Minister Israel Katz's office came after Hamas handed over the remains of two more deceased hostages,...
- The statement from Defence Minister Israel Katz's office came after Hamas handed over two more deceased hostages, and said it would be unable to retrieve any more bodies
- Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has threatened to cut off desperately needed aid supplies to Gaza if Hamas fails to return the remains of all soldiers
Geostrategy
Israel returns 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza authorities
Under the deal pushed by US President Donald Trump and aimed at ending the two-year Gaza war, Israel was to...
- On Monday, Hamas gave up three Israeli bodies and one Nepalese for transfer.
- This was followed on Tuesday by three more deceased Israelis and one as yet unidentified body that the military says was not that of someone listed among dead hostages.
Business
Spotify, Netflix sign deal to stream video podcasts
Stockholm, Sweden -- Music and video streaming giants Spotify and Netflix have penned a deal to bring several video podcasts...
- Spotify also said that it was planning "to bring similar opportunities" to a wider range of podcasters in the future.
- Spotify first began offering non-music audio and video content on its service in 2015.
Geostrategy
US Treasury chief: Beijing’s rare earths control is ‘China versus the world’
Washington, United States -- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slammed Beijing's rare earth export curbs Wednesday as "China versus the...
- His comments came as global economic leaders gather in Washington this week for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's fall meetings.
- "We do not want to decouple. We should work together to de-risk and diversify our supply chains away from China as quickly as possible," Bessent urged.
Economy
Asian markets rally as Fed cut hopes trump trade war fears
Stocks jumped Wednesday as trade war fears were overshadowed by comments from Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that suggested the...
- After a volatile couple of days characterised by a fresh flare-up in China-US tensions, investors took the opportunity to jump back into the market and resume a months-long rally
- Powell has for most of the year walked a fine line between trying to keep a cap on US inflation while also supporting the labour market, even as he faced abuse from President Trump
Geostrategy
Trump says ‘will disarm’ Hamas: ‘It will happen quickly and perhaps violently’
Trump's comments came the day after he swung through the Middle East to celebrate the Gaza ceasefire deal, with questions...
- Trump's comments came the day after he swung through the Middle East to celebrate the Gaza ceasefire deal, with questions swirling about the next phases of the agreement
- Hamas has so far refused to disarm despite it being a key part of the next phase of Trump's 20-point plan for a ceasefire and longer-term peace agreement in the Middle East
Arts & Culture
Wed by app: Abu Dhabi launches virtual marriage for all
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- Couples from anywhere in the world can now get married using the Abu Dhabi government's...
- The idea of online marriage is still in its infancy, with Ukraine launching a service last year allowing couples separated by war to tie the knot using its government app.
- The United Arab Emirates experimented with allowing online ceremonies for people living in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Geostrategy
Hamas back on Gaza streets, acts against gangs and armed clans
For many Palestinians rebuilding their homes and lives amid Gaza's rubble, the sight of the Hamas forces was reassuring. Many...
- When bus loads of prisoners freed from Israeli jails arrived in Gaza on Monday, fighters from Hamas's Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades provided crowd control.
- Hamas accused Israel of breaking the truce by opening fire during the clashes. The military said it had only fired when unidentified Palestinians approached the Yellow Line.
Economy
IMF lifts 2025 global growth forecast, warns of ongoing trade ‘uncertainty’
In its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO) report -- compiled before the most recent US-China tariff spat -- the IMF...
- The global inflation rate is expected to remain elevated at 4.2 percent this year, and 3.7 percent in 2026.
- The IMF raised its prospects for economic growth for the United States, the world's largest economy, by 0.1 percent this year and next, to 2.0 percent in 2025.
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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
Morocco’s AFCON star Achraf Hakimi: the pride of his mother’s home town
Ksar El Kebir, Morocco – Achraf Hakimi is an idol across Africa Cup of Nations host country Morocco, but there is...
Arts & Culture
Company News
Latest News
Gazans mourn six killed in Israeli shelling on shelter
Gaza's civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas authority, initially said on Friday that the Israeli...
Geostrategy
German wheelchair user flies into space, a first
Houston, United States -- A German woman engineer on Saturday became the first wheelchair user to blast into space, taking...
Geostrategy
Zelensky says US mooted direct Ukraine-Russia talks on ending war in Miami
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Washington had proposed the first face-to-face negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Hamas official says Miami talks must end Israel’s truce violations in Palestinian territory
A top Hamas official said Friday that talks in Miami to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire must...
- The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said that at least 395 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire came into effect
- Israel also accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire, with the Israeli military reporting three soldiers killed since the truce entered into force
Geostrategy
Lebanese, Israeli officials discuss Hezbollah disarmament, security in border areas: PM office
Israel said a Friday meeting involving civilian and military representatives from both Lebanon and Israel was part of broader efforts...
- Earlier this month, Lebanon and Israel agreed to send civilian representatives to the committee's meetings
- It was the second time civilian representatives from both countries had taken part in a meeting as part of the committee
Geostrategy
Netanyahu says to visit New York despite Mamdani arrest threat in compliance with ICC warrant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he still planned to visit New York despite incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani's threats...
- Mamdani has vowed to send the NYPD to enforce arrest warrants against leaders wanted by the ICC, including Netanyahu
- Despite Mamdani's statements, an arrest of Netanyahu is considered unlikely, and it is debatable if the mayor-elect has the authority