Israeli strikes in Doha kill Hamas negotiator’s son, Qatari corporal
The strikes have drawn condemnation, including from UN chief Antonio Guterres, who condemned Israel's "flagrant violation" of Qatari sovereignty.
Geostrategy
UN rights chief denounces Israeli ‘genocidal rhetoric’ on Gaza
Volker Turk said "shocking and dehumanizing language" has been used by a number of high-level officials, stressing that "this is...
Geostrategy
Unilever profit jumps on asset sale
The firm's profit after tax rose 22 percent to $3.9 billion.
- Profit after tax rose 22 percent to $3.9 billion in six months to the end of June from a year earlier, Unilever said in a statement
- British consumer goods giant Unilever said it gained 497 million euros from the sale of personal-care business Suave in North America
Rights groups urge Jordan to scrap ‘draconian’ cybercrime bill
The Jordanian government recently referred the draft bill to parliament for discussion with a view to amending a 2015 cybercrime...
- The bill would "pave the way for an alarming surge in online censorship", said a joint statement by 14 non-governmental organisations
- Statement described the bill as "draconian" and warned that it would "jeopardise digital rights, including freedom of expression"
Geostrategy
‘Time for peace’ in Sudan, Darfur: Rapid Support Forces envoy
The conflict broke out in the capital Khartoum on April 15 and spread to Darfur, leaving at least 3,000 dead...
- Youssef Ezzat made his remarks in the West African nation of Togo where he was attending talks
- Togo talks came after rights campaigners in Darfur blamed RSF and allied Arab militias for reported atrocities
Economy
Eurozone witnesses steepest downturn in eight months in July
The painful PMI data comes as the European Central Bank is eyeing a further rate hike this week in its...
- "The eurozone economy will likely move further into contraction territory in the months ahead, as the services sector keeps losing steam."
- The eurozone's struggles were fueled by steep downturns signaled by surveys from economic powerhouses France and Germany.
Business
PSG allows Al Hilal to contact Mbappe over $333 million deal
Osaka, Japan - Paris Saint-Germain have given Saudi club Al Hilal permission to speak to Kylian Mbappe after tabling a world...
- The Riyadh-based club has made a formal offer by letter, a source told AFP, but such a transfer could only be made with the agreement of Mbappe.
- Mbappe has one year left on his contract with PSG, who want him to leave now rather than for nothing next summer.
Geostrategy
Iraqi forces seize million captagon pills as drug trade surges
Authorities in Iraq -- a key conduit for the amphetamine-type drug -- regularly announce such operations in which large hauls...
- Forces arrested "a foreign narcotics trafficker" and seized large quantities of the drug hidden in a truck.
- On July 16, the interior ministry reported the discovery of a rare captagon manufacturing lab in the country's south.
Geostrategy
Israel lawmakers approve key judicial reform clause as protests flare
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill in a Knesset vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, some...
- Netanyahu's coalition government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, argues that the proposed changes are needed to ensure a better balance of power.
- The reform package has triggered one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history since it was unveiled by the government in January.
Twitter to be renamed X
Its parent firm has been named the X Corporation.
- Tweeting a picture of the company's new logo -- a white X on a black background -- late Sunday night, Twitter chief executive Linda Yaccarino said "X is here! Let's do this"
- late Sunday night, Musk changed his profile picture to the company's new logo, which he described as "minimalist art deco," and changed his Twitter bio to "X.com,"
Arts & Culture
Library battles on to restore Palestinian history
The library has continued to preserve cultural heritage in Jerusalem through their restoration and digitisation, with support from local and...
- Located in the Old City near one of the entrances to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the library was founded by Palestinian judge Raghib Al-Khalidi in 1900
- From its main building, warring sultans reportedly played a role in liberating Jerusalem from the Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries
Geostrategy
US president calls on Israel to postpone ‘divisive’ judicial reforms
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to bring his controversial proposal to curb the power of judges to a vote...
- US President Joe Biden said, "It doesn't make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this — the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus"
- Some 20 legislators have lined up to speak against the bill, which would limit Supreme Court judges' ability to strike down government decisions
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Israeli strikes in Doha kill Hamas negotiator’s son, Qatari corporal
The strikes have drawn condemnation, including from UN chief Antonio Guterres, who condemned Israel's "flagrant violation" of Qatari sovereignty.
Geostrategy
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Hamas says ready to free Israeli-US hostage, remains of 4 others
During the initial six-week phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 hostages, including eight who were deceased, in exchange for...
Geostrategy
Iran says response to Trump’s letter under ‘assessment’
Iran will conduct a "thorough assessment" before responding to US President Donald Trump's letter urging nuclear talks and warning of...
Geostrategy
Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, PLO hail Trump remarks on not ‘expelling’ Palestinians from Gaza
It was not immediately clear whether Trump's comments signalled further backtracking from his widely criticised proposal to take over the...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
US trading partners hit back on steel, aluminum tariffs
The steep 25-percent levies came into place after midnight with no exemptions despite countries' efforts to avert them, in a...
- Canada, which is heavily exposed to the US steel and aluminum levies, announced additional tariffs of CAN$29.8 billion ($20.7 billion) on US goods, coming into force Thursday.
- Uncertainty over Trump's trade plans and worries that they could tip the world's biggest economy into a recession have roiled financial markets.
Economy
IMF approves additional $1.3 billion aid program for Egypt
Washington, United States - The International Monetary Fund has approved an additional $1.3 billion assistance program for Egypt under its...
- The Fund's Executive Board also completed the fourth review of an ongoing aid program, allowing for the immediate disbursement of $1.2 billion to Cairo
- Under the RSF, the IMF provides long-term loans to finance projects aimed at preparing countries for the effects of global warming and helping them with energy transition
Geostrategy
Hamas confirms Gaza truce talks in Doha as Yemen’s Huthis threaten Israeli shipping over aid block
The initial phase of the truce brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States began on January 19, and helped...
- The first 42-day phase of the truce deal expired in early March without agreement on subsequent stages meant to secure a lasting end to the war
- There are differing views on how to proceed, with Hamas seeking immediate negotiations for the next phase, while Israel wants to extend the first phase