Iran says open to US nuclear talks, rejects missile curbs
Security chief Ali Larijani said Tuesday that Iran was open to nuclear talks with the United States but ruled out...
Geostrategy
ChatGPT to get parental controls after teen’s death
Paris, France -- American artificial intelligence firm OpenAI said Tuesday it would add parental controls to its chatbot ChatGPT, a...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
China firms under sanction by US for assisting Iran missile program
WASHINGTON, US- The United States placed sanctions on Tuesday on several Chinese and Hong Kong firms it said were supplying Iran's...
- The US Treasury said the Chinese companies shipped centrifuges for producing fuels, non-ferrous metals with potential military use.
- Washington is concerned that Iran plans to develop nuclear weapons that could be loaded on ballistic missiles to menace Israel.
Geostrategy
Italian PM says making efforts for Tunisia IMF bailout
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome backed efforts to secure an IMF bailout for Tunisia and support to tackle...
- The IMF has called for legislation to restructure over 100 state-owned firms, which hold monopolies over many parts of the economy.
- Tunisia is struggling under crippling inflation and debt estimated at around 80 percent of its gross domestic product.
Geostrategy
Iran reopens embassy in Saudi Arabia, confirming China-brokered detente
"We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi...
- The Iranian mission resumes in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter -- near Syria's embassy is also expected to reopen soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus.
- In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restart their respective embassies and work towards resuming ties, after Riyadh in 2016 broke off relations following Iranian protests.
Geostrategy
Egypt, Israel vow cooperation after deadly border skirmish
Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said his government had sent a "clear message" to...
- President Sisi i received a telephone call from Netanyahu about Saturday's deadly violence on the normally calm border.
- Egypt has said the policeman crossed into Israel while chasing drug smugglers, leading to exchanges of fire with Israeli soldiers.
Business
US SEC sues cryptocurrency platform Coinbase
NEW YORK, US - US securities regulators sued Coinbase on Tuesday, alleging that the cryptocurrency platform's failure to register as a securities...
- "Since at least 2019, Coinbase has made billions of dollars unlawfully facilitating the buying and selling of crypto asset securities," said the SEC.
- SEC said Coinbase's failure to register "has deprived investors of significant protections, including inspection, record-keeping requirements."
Geostrategy
Blinken on three-day Saudi Arabia visit to rebuild strained ties
Blinken's trip will also focus on efforts to end conflicts in Sudan and Yemen, the joint battle against the Islamic...
- Blinken, due to land in Jeddah in the evening, is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, before heading to Riyadh on Wednesday
- On the eve of his Saudi trip, Blinken reiterated that "the US has a real national security interest in promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia"
Geostrategy
Iran unveils hypersonic missile, says will boost country’s deterrence
Iran's Revolutionary Guards unveiled an intermediate range ballistic missile capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds of up to 15 times...
- Several top military commanders were present, including Guards chief General Hossein Salami.
- Like slower ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads.
Geostrategy
Kuwait heads to polls yet again to break political deadlock
Polls opened on Tuesday in Kuwait's seventh general election in just over a decade, following repeated political crises that have...
- Amid a persistent impasse with the executive branch that has deterred investment, Kuwait's emir called the vote last month after he dissolved parliament
- Many human rights activisits felt that it was important to cast a ballot in spite of the widespread frustration with the political elite of the country
Geostrategy
Qatar minister to lead ILO’s yearly decision making event
Geneva, Switzerland - Qatar's labor minister was on Monday appointed without a vote to head the International Labour Organization's annual decision-making...
- Asian and Pacific nations, which according to a regional rotation had dibs this year on selecting the president of the two-week event, had proposed Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri.
- Qatar has long faced harsh criticism over labor rights, especially in the lead-up to last year's football World Cup.
Business
Turkish Airlines ponders buying 600 planes in two months
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - The chairman of Turkish Airlines said Monday that the company will make a final decision on plans for...
- The airline is in talks with US aircraft maker Boeing and its European rival Airbus to purchase 400 single-aisle planes along with 200 jumbo jets.
- If the purchases involves firm orders, it would be the biggest in the history of civil aviation, beating the 470-plane order by Air India in February.
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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
Iran says open to US nuclear talks, rejects missile curbs
Security chief Ali Larijani said Tuesday that Iran was open to nuclear talks with the United States but ruled out...
Geostrategy
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Trump touts tariffs, mass deportations and NATO skepticism
In his first formal television interview -- and just six weeks before he takes office -- Trump again signaled that...
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Celebrations erupt across Syria to mark end of 50 years of Baath party rule
Bashar al-Assad's whereabouts not clear, but his key backer Russia said he had resigned from the presidency and left Syria....
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Syria: Assad faces stunning setbacks as rebels seize Daraa, Hama, and Aleppo in quick succession
While Aleppo and Hama, the two other main cities taken from government control in recent days, fell to an Islamist-led...
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World Bank announces record $100 bn support for world’s poorest countries
The World Bank announced Thursday that it had raised close to $24 billion to provide loans and grants for some...
- The Bank can use this money to borrow on financial markets
- This funding will be deployed to support the 78 countries that need it most
Qatar resumes Gaza mediation: source with knowledge of talks
Doha, Qatar - Qatar has resumed its role as a mediator in efforts to secure a truce in the Israel-Hamas war...
- The Gulf emirate, along with the US and Egypt, had been involved in months of unsuccessful negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release after nearly 14 months of war
- In November, Doha announced it had put its mediation on hold, saying it would resume when Hamas and Israel showed "willingness and seriousness".
Syria: Tens of thousands of Alawites flee Homs, fearing rebel advance towards Damascus-coast strategic link
Analysts said they expected the fighters led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to push on towards the city,...
- Khaled, who lives on the city's outskirts told AFP that "the road leading to (coastal) Tartus province was glowing... due to the lights of hundreds of cars on their way out."
- In April 2014, at least 100 people, mostly civilians, were killed in twin attacks in Homs that targeted a majority Alawite neighbourhood