Lebanon says army will begin implementing Hezbollah disarmament plan, amid opposition from the group
Responding to questions from journalists, Morcos said "the Lebanese army will begin implementing the plan, but in accordance with the...
Geostrategy
‘God’s Influencer’ to become first millennial saint
Computer whiz Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 aged 15, will be raised to sainthood by Pope Leo...
Arts & Culture
Business
Israeli drones, AI, big data to help farmers adapt to climate change
While younger generations in Israel no longer share their predecessors' farming ambitions, the country's agricultural experience wed with its innovative...
- A recent report by Start-Up Nation Central, a non-governmental organisation that promotes Israeli technology, listed more than 500 agri-tech companies in Israel
- Shmuel Friedman, whose Green Wadi company provides agricultural consultancy to countries in Africa, Asia and the Gulf, said there was demand for Israeli technology and expertise
Geostrategy
Wagner chief heads into Belarus exile, NATO vows to protect allies
In the Hague, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said it was still too early to draw conclusions from the move to...
- As the fallout unfolded from Prigozhin's brief mutiny, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to shore up his authority by thanking regular troops for averting a civil war
- The feud between Wagner and the army had escalated for months, with Prigozhin making increasingly scathing statements against the generals' handling of the offensive in Ukraine
Geostrategy
Iranian pilgrims at ease during hajj post Riyadh-Tehran detente
MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA- If a landmark reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran has eased tensions in the Gulf, clouds have also...
- An Iranian tour operator who has joined the hajj on several occasions said he was feeling "comfort and safety" in Saudi Arabia.
- More than 86,000 Iranians, including 300 aged over 80, are on this year's hajj, according to Iranian media reports.
Business
Lordstown sues Foxconn
The US-based electric vehicle startup also files for bankruptcy.
- A main supplier for Apple's iPhone, Foxconn has turned to EV production as part of its diversification and plans to make auto assembly a key part of its future growth.
- Foxconn's parent company, Hon Hai Technology Group, said in a statement that it had maintained a "positive attitude" during negotiations with Lordstown.
Business
Europe agrees tougher rules on banks to avert repeat of 2008 financial crisis
The rules will apply from January 1, 2025, two years later than the 2023 deadline agreed under the reforms.
- The draft law is the European Union's interpretation of the Basel III reforms of international standards on how banks evaluate credit and market risks.
- They include stipulations that banks have adequate capital and liquidity. The rules will apply from Jan 1, 2025, two years later than the 2023 deadline agreed under the reforms.
Geostrategy
Covid-19 has not gone away, kills 1,000 a week in Europe: WHO
Copenhagen, Denmark - The World Health Organization's European office on Tuesday warned the risk of Covid-19 has not gone away, saying...
- "Whilst it may not be a global public health emergency, however, Covid-19 has not gone away," WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said
- "Unless we develop comprehensive diagnostics and treatment for long Covid, we will never truly recover from the pandemic," Kluge said
Geostrategy
Hajj attendance falls short of record, as pilgrims crowd Mount Arafat
The data showed most of the faithful came from abroad. The Kingdom's officials had predicted more than 2.5 million pilgrims,...
- The ritual at Arafat is the high point of Hajj. The pilgrims recited Koranic verses on the hill, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his final sermon.
- Helicopters hovered low overhead, monitoring crowds at the event which has a tragic history of deadly stampedes and fires.
Geostrategy
Over 6,500 arrests after cracking crime chat network, says Europol
PARIS, FRANCE - More than 6,500 people have been arrested following the 2020 dismantling of EncroChat, an encrypted communications tool used...
- Close to 200 arrests were of "high-value targets", said Europol, which assists EU members in international investigations.
- Since 2020, investigators had managed to intercept, share and analyze over 115 million criminal conversations.
Will Artificial Intelligence really destroy humanity?
A group of scientists who were using AI to help discover new drugs ran an experiment where they tweaked their...
- A less overtly sci-fi scenario sees "bad actors" using AI to create toxins or new viruses and unleashing them on the world
- Large language models like GPT-3, which was used to create ChatGPT, it turns out are extremely good at inventing horrific new chemical agents
Economy
Most markets rise but traders fret interest rate hikes, Russia situation
The more positive environment came as concerns over Russia subsided following an aborted uprising, though developments in the nuclear-armed country...
- With the events in eastern Europe a little less worrying for now, focus has returned to the battle against surging inflation, which has dogged global markets this year.
- Fed's warning last week that rates would likely need to go higher dealt a blow to hopes that officials were at the end of close to completing their tightening cycle.
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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
Lebanon says army will begin implementing Hezbollah disarmament plan, amid opposition from the group
Responding to questions from journalists, Morcos said "the Lebanese army will begin implementing the plan, but in accordance with the...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Move over Mercedes: Chinese cars grab Mexican market share
Mexico City, Mexico -- The growing popularity of Chinese sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks has shaken up Mexico's luxury car...
Business
Global stocks rise as Japan led Asia gains on a weaker yen
Seoul was an outlier in Asia with shares plunging as South Korea's political crisis deepened with a second impeachment vote....
Business
Israeli strikes hit Yemen as Netanyahu fires warning
Israeli air strikes pummeled Sanaa's international airport and other targets in Yemen on Thursday, with Huthi rebel media reporting six...
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Economy
Turkey lowers interest rate to 47.5% as it battles double-digit inflation
The bank's monetary policy committee decided to reduce the policy rate from 50 percent to 47.5 percent, with a statement...
- The central bank began to raise interest rates last year to battle soaring prices, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped his opposition to orthodox monetary policy.
- The central bank now expects inflation to reach 44 percent at the end of 2024, up from a previous estimate in August of 38 percent.
Syrian war monitor says 17 dead in clashes in Tartus province
17 people were killed Wednesday in clashes in Tartus province after security forces sought to arrest an officer under deposed...
- 14 interior ministry personnel were killed and 10 others wounded
- Clashes in Tartus province erupted after residents refused to allow their houses to be searched
Geostrategy
Ceasefire talks falter as Hamas, Israel clash over conditions, Gaza sees more destruction and deaths
Hamas accuses Israel of stalling the truce with new demands on troop withdrawal and prisoner release, while Netanyahu’s office counters,...
- Indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have taken place in Doha in recent days, rekindling hope for an agreement between the two warring parties
- On Wednesday, both sides accused the other of throwing up roadblocks, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the country's leadership to move towards a deal