Venezuela’s interim leader names commission to handle Maduro’s release
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Sunday created a commission to seek the release of president Nicolas Maduro and his...
Geostrategy
The US and Venezuela’s vast oil reserves: key questions amid sanctions, geopolitics and energy
After a US military operation that seized Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said he wants to allow American oil companies...
Geostrategy
Business
Stock markets strike records despite geopolitical unrest
Gains for oil prices were relatively modest, while gas futures were unmoved after Israel's strikes Tuesday against Hamas in gas-rich...
- Wall Street had notched fresh highs Tuesday as markets digested weak US jobs data that added to expectations that the Fed will lower US interest rates at their next meeting.
- Tokyo's stock market ended at an all-time high, as did Seoul where traders were hopeful the government will not implement plans to lower the capital gains tax threshold for stocks.
Geostrategy
Israeli strikes shake quiet Qatar, strain US ties
It also cast serious doubt on Qatar-mediated Gaza ceasefire talks and undermined security reassurances to the Gulf from key ally...
- The attacks, which killed six people, occurred while Hamas officials were meeting to discuss a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza.
- Despite hosting a major U.S. airbase, Qatar's security assurances were breached, leading Gulf nations to question the reliability of Washington's protection.
Business
Oracle shares up 35%
Huge AI contracts lead to the surge.
- About 40 minutes into trading, shares were at $337.02, up nearly 40 percent, lifting the company's market valuation to around $950 billion.
- The surge will significantly boost the wealth of Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, who could potentially surpass Elon Musk as the world's richest person.
Geostrategy
Europe hyperloop test hits new speed record in Dutch trial
The Hague, Netherlands -- A Dutch tech startup said Wednesday it had set a European speed record for its futuristic...
- Hardt Hyperloop said its vehicle had reached 85 kph at the 420 meter European Hyperloop Center test track in the Netherlands and had carried out a complex lane switching test.
- It said the lane switching maneuver -- essential for networked routes -- showed there were no technical barriers to operating at aircraft-like speeds.
Geostrategy
Iran, IAEA sign cooperation framework in Cairo after suspension following Israeli strikes on nuclear sites
The agreement was signed in Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi,...
- The agreement was signed in Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi
- It was Iran's first high-level meeting with the IAEA since it suspended cooperation with the agency following the 12-day war with Israel
Geostrategy
Qatar says reserves right to respond to Israeli attack, even as Trump delivers rare reproach of Israel
Doha, a key US ally that hosts the largest American base in the region, has hosted Hamas' political bureau since...
- Six people died, including top Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya's son and a Qatari security officer, in an unprecedented airstrike that threatened to derail mediation efforts
- Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Qatar reserved "the right to respond to this blatant attack", calling the strike a "pivotal moment" for the region
Geostrategy
Israel forum says concerned for Gaza hostages after Doha strikes
The main Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza expressed "deep concern" following an Israeli attack...
- "The chance of bringing them back now faces greater uncertainty than ever before, with one thing of absolute certainty -- their time is running out," the statement said.
- Hamas and Israel have held multiple rounds of indirect ceasefire negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States throughout the nearly two-year Gaza war
Business
Stocks climb eyeing US rate cut, political turbulence
A steep downward revision to US job creation cemented expectations that the Federal Reserve would begin lowering its benchmark rate...
- US employment growth is likely to be revised down by 911,000 for the 12 months ending in March, official data showed.
- Investors are now looking to consumer inflation data coming Thursday, since a hot reading could keep the Fed from cutting further as it looks to curb price increases.
Geostrategy
Israel strikes Hamas officials in Qatar, the first of its kind on Qatari territory
Qatar, which has been a key mediator in efforts to broker a truce in Gaza, said Israeli strikes targeted the...
- Qatar, which has been a key mediator in efforts to broker a truce in Gaza, said Israeli strikes targeted the homes of several members of Hamas's political bureau
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes in response to a Monday shooting in Jerusalem that killed six people and was later claimed by Hamas
Business
Mistral cements AI lead in Europe with cash infusion
Paris, France -- France's Mistral on Tuesday cemented its position as Europe's top AI hope against far larger US and...
- The 1.7 billion euro ($2bn) cash infusion values Mistral at 11.7bn euros, double its heft last year but a fraction of the $183bn price tag placed on US firm Anthropic this month.
- ASML, a key producer of the machines that churn out the chips powering artificial intelligence models, was the lead investor.
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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
Venezuela’s interim leader names commission to handle Maduro’s release
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Sunday created a commission to seek the release of president Nicolas Maduro and his...
Geostrategy
Company News
Google to invest $6.4bn
Business
Latest News
Negotiations under way on Hamas fighters trapped in Gaza tunnels: sources close to talks
An Israeli government spokesperson told AFP earlier this month that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is not allowing safe passage for...
Geostrategy
Singapore AI teddy back on sale after recall over sex chat scare
Singapore, Singapore -- A plushy, AI-enabled teddy bear recalled after its chatbot was found to engage in sexually explicit conversations...
Business
Four European nations urge Israel to end West Bank ‘settler violence’
"We -- France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom -- strongly condemn the massive increase of settler violence against Palestinian civilians...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel launches major West Bank operation, raiding Tubas towns amid escalating violence
The Israeli military said the operation began with air strikes to isolate the area, which were followed by "searches" on...
- The operation, which began overnight, was taking place in predominantly agricultural Tubas, the northeasternmost of the 11 governorates in the West Bank
- Ahmed al-Asaad, governor of the Tubas region, told AFP: "This is the first time that the entire governorate is included -- the whole governorate is now under Israeli army operation
Geostrategy
Israel returns 15 bodies to Gaza after hostage remains identified
It came after Israel announced that a body handed over by Hamas on Tuesday was that of Dror Or, one...
- The last two hostages' bodies still in Gaza are those of Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
- At the start of the ceasefire Hamas were holding 20 living hostages and 28 bodies of deceased captives.
Business
Insurance giant Allianz signals job cuts in AI shift
Frankfurt, Germany -- German insurance giant Allianz signalled Wednesday looming job cuts due to its adoption of artificial intelligence, with...
- Allianz Partners, the company's subsidiary dealing principally with travel insurance, said it was "leveraging AI" to strengthen its position and improve its services.
- Such changes could, however, "impact positions which are heavily reliant on manual processes today," it said in a statement.