Post SCO summit, Kim, Putin at Xi’s side for massive China military parade in Beijing
In unprecedented scenes, Xi shook both their hands and chatted with the pair as they walked down a red carpet...
Geostrategy
Post SCO summit, China’s Xi and Russia’s Putin start talks in Beijing, says state media
The Chinese and Russian leaders criticised Western governments during the summit on Monday, where Xi slammed "bullying behaviour" from certain...
Geostrategy
OPEC+ update: Saudi oil output cut likely to worsen fears of recession
Analysts had largely expected OPEC+ producers to maintain their current policy, but signs emerged this weekend that the 23 countries...
- While the UAE pushes for change in how its output quota is measured, the African producers are reluctant to give up their unused quota
- Oil producers are grappling with falling prices and high market volatility amid the Russian-Ukraine conflict
Geostrategy
US official meets UAE diplomats to discuss climate change
DUBAI, UAE - US special climate envoy John Kerry has met senior Emirati officials in Abu Dhabi, including the head of...
- Oil producers have for year touted carbon capture as a potential global warming solution.
- With little investment, carbon capture technology is nowhere near the scale needed to make a significant difference.
Geostrategy
NATO urges Turkey to pass Sweden’s NATO membership plea
Istanbul, Turkey - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday called on Ankara to drop its opposition to Sweden's bid to join...
- "Sweden has taken significant concrete steps to meet Turkey's concerns," NATO chief Stoltenberg told reporters after meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Erdogan has accused Sweden of being a haven for "terrorists", especially members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group blacklisted by Turkey.
Geostrategy
Protesters in Morocco demand government act on cost of living
CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - Hundreds demonstrated on Sunday in Morocco's economic capital Casablanca to protest against the surging cost of living in...
- Morocco has seen months of rising prices, particularly of food, fuel and other basic staples, in part due to recurrent drought.
- Year-on-year inflation slowed in April to 7.8 percent, after 10.1 percent in February and 8.2 percent in March, according to official figures.
Geostrategy
US, Saudi Arabia urge truce talks between warring Sudan groups
The last truce was agreed to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid and safe passages into areas of Sudan ravaged by...
- A five-day extension of a US- and Saudi-brokered but oft-ignored truce formally expired Saturday evening.
- The Saudi and US mediators nonetheless called for "the parties to agree to and effectively implement a new ceasefire.
Science
How chocolate could counter climate change
Biochar, a substance produced by heating the cocoa husks in oxygen-free environment, could be used to capture 2.6 billion of...
- While the biochar industry is still in its infancy, the technology offers a novel way to remove carbon from the Earth's atmosphere, experts say.
- Across Europe, biochar projects have begun to multiply. The biochar industry federation says production is set to almost double to 90,000 tons this year compared with 2022.
Geostrategy
Syrian leaders want UN to re-begin talks with President Assad
Syria's opposition urged the resumption of moribund United Nations-sponsored talks with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who has returned...
- The statement called for a solution in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254, which set out a roadmap for a political transition.
- Last month, regional leaders welcomed Assad back to the Arab League at a summit in Saudi Arabia - his first appearance at the pan-Arab body.
Geostrategy
Kuwait to hold seventh election in 10 years amid political paralysis
The oil-rich country suffers from constant stand-offs between elected lawmakers and cabinets installed by the reigning Al-Sabah family. The opposition...
- Fearing that widespread scepticism will discourage many people from voting, the authorities have festooned the capital with posters in an attempt to encourage a better turnout
- The latest general election was called by the emir last month after he again dissolved parliament amid a persistent deadlock with the executive branch that has stalled reforms
Geostrategy
Syrian foreign minister discusses aid on visit to key ally Iraq
The visit by Faisal Mekdad comes weeks after the Arab League agreed to end Syria's suspension from the 22-member bloc,...
- Baghdad was "one of the initiators" of Syria's return to the Arab League, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in a joint press conference with Faisal Mekdad.
- Mekdad and Iraqi PM also discussed the issue of Syrian refugees who fled the country after war erupted, many of whom now live in Iraq as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
Economy
War casts shadow on Sudan breadbasket, fuelling famine fears
"Transportation disruptions, market devastation and the absence of financing... will have catastrophic impacts on the food security of the people...
- The state's large, mechanised farms are not taking on workers, as a cash crunch hits their finances, jeopardising a harvest that normally meets 40 percent of Sudan's grain needs
- With roads cut off by crossfire, trade at a standstill and processing factories razed or looted, agribusinesses face an uphill battle, prompting some heavyweight investors to walk
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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
Post SCO summit, Kim, Putin at Xi’s side for massive China military parade in Beijing
In unprecedented scenes, Xi shook both their hands and chatted with the pair as they walked down a red carpet...
Geostrategy
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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,...
Bitcoin passes $100,000 mark for first time, outshining wavering stock markets
Donald Trump, who has vowed to make the US the 'bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world' wrote 'Congratulations Bitcoiners...You're...
Business
South Korean president clings to power after martial law U-turn
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was still clinging to power Thursday, with his party announcing they will oppose an...
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Economy
OECD warns of protectionism weeks before Trump return
While the organization raised its 2025 global growth forecast to 3.3 percent, it cautioned that "greater trade protectionism, particularly from...
- Trump has threatened blanket tariffs of at least 10% on all imports and since his election has vowed to slap 25% import tariffs against Canada and Mexico, the US trade partners.
- "Increases in trade-restrictive measures could raise costs and prices, deter investment, weaken innovation and ultimately lower growth," the OECD warned in its economic outlook.
Geostrategy
France, Saudi Arabia to co-chair June meet on creating Palestinian state: Macron
The French president said they want to involve both European and non-European allies who are ready to move in this...
- Macron said that France and Saudi Arabia have the "will to move forward" on a deal to sell Rafale fighter jets to the Kingdom.
- Discussions had already been underway for Riyadh to acquire the French-made jets and, though no definitive announcement was expected during Macron's visit.
Seoul stocks sink amid S. Korea drama as Asian markets struggle
South Korean stocks sank more than two percent Wednesday while the won rebounded from earlier losses after President Yoon Suk...
- The Kospi index shed as much as 2.3 percent at the open
- The won tumbled more than three percent to a two-year low of 1,444 per dollar