Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100
Carter had been in hospice care since mid-February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia -- the same small town...
New Dawn over Damascus: Residents reclaim Mount Qasyun after years of curbs under Assad’s rule
Mount Qasyun, once closed due to war, reopens as a vibrant community space where Damascus residents gather to reclaim joy,...
Geostrategy
US Fed chair says ‘the time has come’ to start cutting rates
The Fed's benchmark lending rate currently sits at a 23-year high of between 5.25 and 5.50 percent, cooling demand in...
- "The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks," Fed chair Powell said
- After holding its key lending rate at a two-decade high for more than a year, Powell's remarks suggest the US central bank is now all but certain to start cutting rates
Business
Alibaba to upgrade Hong Kong listing amid profit drop
Hong Kong, China -- Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba said Friday it would upgrade its Hong Kong-listed shares to primary status, opening...
- The decision by shareholders during its annual general meeting Thursday will provide a much-needed boost to the firm, which has underperformed the market in recent years.
- Alibaba has been primarily traded in New York since 2014 and remained dual-listed after its notable return to Hong Kong through a second listing in 2019.
Geostrategy
In rare move, UAE accepts Taliban government ambassador
It became just the second country after China to do so. The UAE said it was committed to "building bridges"...
- The UAE's growing ties with the Taliban government include the management of Afghan airports by an Emirati firm, GAAC, following the withdrawal of US forces and Taliban's return.
- "The world recognizes the challenges faced by Afghanistan over the past few years," an Emirati official said in a statement.
Economy
US Fed chair expected to signal support for rate cuts
The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in the US state of Wyoming gives Powell a global platform to enlighten financial...
- After holding its key lending rate at a two-decade high for more than a year, the US central bank now seems poised to start cutting rates in September
- While inflation has eased, the labor market has shown signs of cooling - though still remaining solid by historical standards - and economic growth has been resilient
Geostrategy
The Gaza mothers separated from their newborns by war
Jerusalem, Undefined - As their first birthday approaches, the triplets Gaza-native Hanane Bayouk gave birth to in Jerusalem before the war...
- Israeli travel restrictions and the ongoing conflict have left Palestinian mothers from Gaza struggling to access their children in Jerusalem
- The number of births at the hospital has fallen sharply as Israel has stopped issuing travel permits to mothers from Gaza and slashed the number given to mothers
Business
Stocks wobble as investors brace for Powell’s rate cut clues
Paris, France -- Stock markets wobbled on Thursday as investors await a highly-anticipated speech by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell,...
- The dollar has been under pressure from expectations of lower rates, but it pared down some losses against other major currencies on Thursday.
- The spotlight will turn to Powell when he addresses an annual gathering of global central bankers, with investors eager to hear for fresh signals about the Fed's plans.
Geostrategy
India’s Modi urges peace ahead of historic Ukraine visit
"It is India's strong belief that no problem can be resolved on a battlefield," Modi said in Poland, a staunch...
- Modi is expected to use his landmark visit to campaign for a "peaceful" solution
- Modi added his country supported "dialogue and diplomacy for restoration of peace and stability"
Geostrategy
Israel kills top Palestinian militant as Gaza truce talks stumble
The Israeli military killed a senior Palestinian militant in Lebanon on Wednesday, leading to accusations from the Fatah movement that...
- The strike killed Khalil Maqdah, described by Fatah as "one of the leaders"
- Israeli bombardment elsewhere in Gaza killed at least 24 people on Wednesday
Geostrategy
Iran probe finds Raisi helicopter crash caused by weather: media
Iran's army in May similarly said it had found no evidence of criminal activity in the crash that also killed...
- The helicopter carrying 63-year-old Raisi crashed on a fog-shrouded mountainside in northern Iran, killing the president and seven others, and triggering snap elections
- Fars news agency, quoting an informed security source with knowledge of the conclusions of the probe, said overloading was also behind crash
Xiaomi posts solid quarterly sales growth
The company is Chinese smartphone and household tech giant.
- The brand's presence is strongly felt in China, with its wide range of products spanning mobiles, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, scooters and, recently, electric vehicles
- The world's third-largest smartphone maker, Xiaomi reported revenue of 88.9 billion yuan ($12.5 billion) in the second quarter, an increase of 32 percent year-on-year
Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100
Carter had been in hospice care since mid-February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia -- the same small town...
Company News
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Israel PM again warns Iran after top diplomat talks of revising nuclear doctrine if more sanctions imposed
The renewed war of words between the Middle East foes came as Iran prepares to hold key nuclear talks with...
How are countries regulating the wild west of social media for minors?
Paris, France -- A handful of nations are trying to clean up social media with measures including robust privacy provisions and...
Geostrategy
OPEC+ postpones meeting amid signs of ‘discord’ on output plans
The 22-member OPEC+ group led by Saudi Arabia and Russia was due to decide on its 2025 output policy at...
Geostrategy
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Palestinian leader Abbas lays ground for succession
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas announced his replacement . Under current Palestinian law, the speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)...
- Abbas, 89, still rules despite his term as head of the Palestinian Authority ending in 2009
- The decree comes on the same day that a ceasefire entered into force in Lebanon
Car-centric Saudi to open first part of Riyadh Metro
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday it is ready to open the first part of the Riyadh Metro,...
- Services will be provided by 183 trains with 448 carriages manufactured by Siemens of Germany, Bombardier of Canada and Alstom of France
- The official Saudi Press Agency published a photograph of King Salman, who served as governor of Riyadh for nearly half a century, formally declaring that the project open
Trump’s tariff threats stoke global fears, prompting retaliation warnings from allies and rivals
US President-elect Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans target Canada, Mexico, and China, raising fears of a global trade war, with...
- The president-elect on Monday placed both allies and rivals on notice, vowing to quickly slap 25% on Canada and Mexico, and add a 10 percent tariff on China
- Following through on that threat or his campaign promise of a 10 percent levy on all US imports - will have ripple effects across the global economy, analysts say