Palestinians rally in West Bank to celebrate statehood recognition
Crowds of people rallied in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, waving flags and holding posters of president Mahmud Abbas...
Geostrategy
Israel says will not allow Gaza-bound aid flotilla to break its blockade
The Global Sumud Flotilla, also carrying prominent pro-Palestinian advocates including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, set sail for Gaza earlier...
Geostrategy
China’s top diplomat to pay rare US visit ahead of potential Xi trip
Wang "will conduct in-depth exchanges of views with US leaders on China-US relations and international and regional issues of common...
- A senior US official said the trip was part of efforts between the world's two largest economies to "responsibly manage our competition."
- Beijing Tuesday confirmed the dates of the visit and expressed the hope it would help put strained ties "back on track."
Gaza war sparks Arab fears of new Palestinian displacement
"That's how the Nakba started," says the Gaza-based rights group Al Mezan, reflecting regional suspicions that Israel is planning to...
- Egypt fears that throwing open the gates could facilitate Israeli plans for a forced mass eviction of Palestinians, many of whom are now homeless, sleeping in the open
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has stressed that Israel as an occupying force has responsibility for Palestinian civilians under international law
Microsoft announces $3.2 billion investment in Australia
Details of the deal were outlined by bosses at the US tech giant and by Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese,...
- The tech giant will expand its "hyperscale" cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Australia over the next two years
- Details of the deal were outlined by bosses at the US tech giant and by Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese
French President Macron arrives in Israel on solidarity visit
The French head of state was also due to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as well as opposition leaders Benny...
- Macron was due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express France's "full solidarity" with Israel after that attack, the French presidency said
- He is expected to call for the "preservation of the civilian population" in Gaza, amid Israel's relentless bombardment, and as it prepares for a ground invasion
Geostrategy
UN General Assembly to discuss Israel-Hamas war on Thursday
Many states including Jordan on behalf of an Arab group of nations, Russia, Syria, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Combodia formally requested...
- Five of the 15 member states had supported the text, which condemned all violence against civilians
- US vetoed a second resolution put forward by Brazil as the text did not mention Israel's right to defend itself
Economy
World ‘failing’ on pledge to stop deforestation by 2030: NGOs
Deforestation last year was over 20 percent higher than it should have been to meet the leaders' pledge, with 6.6...
- In 2021, leaders from over 100 countries and territories -- representing the vast majority of the world's forests -- pledged to stop and reverse forest loss by 2030
- An annual assessment released Tuesday found global deforestation actually increased by four percent last year, and the world remains well off track to meet the 2030 commitment
Geostrategy
UN rights chief calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza
Volker Turk exhorted for a ceasefire as the first step in order to save the lives of civilians through the...
- The Gaza Strip is suffering from severe shortages of water, electricity, fuel and food
- More than 5,000 people have been killed in the enclave in Israel's bombing campaign
Market Report
Markets fall as traders wary due to Gaza war, Fed interest rates
Paris, France - Stock markets slid on Monday, extending last week's sell-off n fears of a regional conflict in the Middle...
- Oil prices slid as Israel's expected ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza was delayed, with diplomats trying to secure the release of more hostages.
- The concerns about US interest rates have also been affecting bond markets, with the yield on 10-year US government bonds rising above 5.0 percent.
Business
British Steel to cut 2000 jobs
British Steel is battling losses of $36 million a month.
- The potential staff cuts are said to be a key plank of plans to replace its coal-powered blast furnaces with electric arc furnace (EAF) technology.
- The switch could unlock new funding for Chinese group Jingye, which has owned British Steel since 2020, including up to £300 million of taxpayer funding.
Geostrategy
Putin calls for ‘unhindered access’ for humanitarian aid into Gaza
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Monday for "unhindered access" for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, in a...
- The United Nations says Gaza needs about 100 aid trucks a day to meet the needs of its 2.4 million people, nearly half of whom have been displaced.
- The US has vowed to ensure a "continued flow" of relief items into Gaza, where Israel has cut off most water as well as food, power and fuel supplies.
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Palestinians rally in West Bank to celebrate statehood recognition
Crowds of people rallied in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, waving flags and holding posters of president Mahmud Abbas...
Geostrategy
Company News
Palestinian pottery sees revival in war-ravaged Gaza
Arts & Culture
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BP announces $7bn gas project
Business
How much blood is enough to satisfy ‘political objectives’: WHO on Gaza
"We are breaking the bodies and the minds of the children of Gaza. We are starving the children of Gaza,...
Geostrategy
Slower growth expected in MENA region in 2025: IMF
"Growth is still projected to increase in 2025 and 2026, but at a considerably slower pace than anticipated last October,"...
Economy
UAE to lift three-year Lebanon travel ban: statement
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- The United Arab Emirates will lift a ban on its citizens travelling to Lebanon that...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Arts & Culture
‘The Eternaut’ echoes fight against tyranny: Ricardo Darin
Survival through teamwork: It's a tale as old as time with particular resonance today, says Argentine actor Ricardo Darin of...
- Based on a 1950s comic with iconic status in the South American country, the sci-fi series tells the story of a mysterious, toxic snowfall that precedes an alien invasion of Buenos
- More elementally, it is about ordinary people with few resources and no special powers who collectively stare down a totalitarian threat, Darin, 68, told AFP in an interview
Geostrategy
US imposes sanctions to curb Iran oil despite talks
The United States said Wednesday it was imposing sanctions on seven companies involved in selling Iranian oil, tightening pressure despite...
- The United States said it was targeting five trading companies -- four based in the United Arab Emirates and one in Turkey
- The move comes just after Iran announced a fourth round of talks with President Donald Trump's administration to take place Saturday in Rome
Geostrategy
AI companions present risks for young users, US watchdog warns
New York, United States -- AI companions powered by generative artificial intelligence present real risks and should be banned for...
- The watchdog, Common Sense, tested several of these platforms, namely Nomi, Character AI, and Replika, to assess their responses.
- While some specific cases "show promise," they are not safe for kids, concluded the organization, which makes recommendations on children's use of technological content.