Leaders gather in China for SCO summit ceremony, Xi slams ‘bullying’ behaviour in world order
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated...
Geostrategy
China manufacturing shrinks in August despite new US trade truce
Beijing, China -- China's factory output ticked up in August but still recorded a fifth straight month of contraction, official...
Economy
Economy
Biden-McCarthy ‘productive’ debt ceiling talks fail to uplift markets
After their latest get-together on Monday, the Republican Speaker said: "I felt we had a productive discussion. We don't have...
- With just weeks to go before the United States runs out of cash, the standoff has become the key topic on trading floors
- Months of negotiations have failed to break the deadlock and lift the borrowing limit from the current $31.8 trillion
European energy crisis could worsen, warns Qatar minister
Doha, Qatar - Qatar's energy minister warned on Tuesday the "worst is yet to come" for Europe's oil and gas shortages,...
- "The only thing that saved humanity and Europe this year was a warm winter, and the slowdown in the economy," said Qatari Energy Minister
- "If the economy starts churning back up in (2024) and you have just a regular winter, I think the worst is yet to come," he added
Geostrategy
Assad must face trial for chemical use: French foreign minister
Colonna nevertheless said Paris would not be changing its policy towards the Syrian ruler. "We have to remember who Bashar...
- Asked during a television interview if she wanted Assad to be tried, the French foreign minister Catherine Colonna said "the answer is yes"
- Assad last week returned to the regional scene with an appearance at a summit of the Arab League, he had been banned from for a decade
Business
Russia’s PM to sign trade, infrastructure deals in China visit
The two countries have in recent years ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts, with their strategic partnership having only...
- The Russian PM will take part in a Russian-Chinese Business Forum and visit a petrochemical research institute in Shanghai
- A number of sanctioned Russian tycoons, including from the key fertilizer, steel and mining sectors to take part in the forum
Business
High cost of Paris Olympics tickets draws flak from athletes
Paris, France -- Athletes have joined the clamor of criticism at the high cost of tickets for the 2024 Paris Olympics,...
- Of the promised one million seats at 24 euros ($26), the lowest price for next year's Olympics, nearly 150,000 went up for sale in phase two.
- Three days after the launch of the second phase, sports fans were offered tickets at 690 euros and even 980 euros for athletics semi-finals.
Geostrategy
Lawmakers clash in Iraqi Kurdistan’s parliament
Lawmakers came to blows in Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament in a dispute between the two biggest parties over the upcoming polls...
- Fresh polls for the 111-seat parliament are planned for November 18 and the KDP currently holds 45 seats, trailed by the PUK which has 21.
- The tumult broke out after the KDP scheduled a late vote to activate the commission organizing the elections.
Geostrategy
What’s next for Syria after Assad’s regional comeback?
Beirut, Lebanon -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has returned to the Arab fold after more than a decade of isolation, eyeing...
- Several Arab capitals cut ties with Assad after the Damascus regime's repression of anti-government protests sparked war in 2011, with some supporting the opposition instead.
- States that once bet on Assad's demise have warmed to him as he clung to power and clawed back territory with Iranian and Russian support.
Geostrategy
EU sanctions Iran Revolutionary Guards’ wing over brutal crackdown
The European Union imposed an asset freeze on the investment arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, over Tehran's brutal crackdown on...
- The 27-nation bloc added the IRGC Cooperative Foundation, which handles the Guards' investments, to an EU asset freeze and visa ban blacklist.
- The EU also blacklisted the Student Basij Organization, which it said acts as enforcers for the Revolutionary Guards on university campuses.
Business
Meta fined record $1.3bn over EU user data transfer to US
Meta said it was "disappointed to have been singled out" and the ruling was "flawed, unjustified and sets a dangerous...
- The European investigators found that Meta did not "address the risks to the fundamental rights and freedoms of data subjects".
- Meta has been fined thrice this year, by European Union, for not following EU regulation over data safety on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
Business
Allen & Overy to merge with US peer
The merged firm will have a combined revenues of $3.4bn.
- The new group, called Allen Overy Shearman Sterling or A&O Shearman, was "truly a game-changing moment for both firms".
- The merged firm will have around 3,900 lawyers and about 800 partners across a total of 49 offices worldwide.
Most Read
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
Leaders gather in China for SCO summit ceremony, Xi slams ‘bullying’ behaviour in world order
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Trump’s tariff threats stoke global fears, prompting retaliation warnings from allies and rivals
US President-elect Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans target Canada, Mexico, and China, raising fears of a global trade war, with...
Adani Group says it lost nearly $55 billion as US bribery charges sparked rout
The November 20 bombshell indictment in New York accused billionaire industrialist founder Gautam Adani and multiple subordinates of deliberately misleading...
Business
Five forgotten conflicts of 2024
he wars in the Mideast and Ukraine-Russia have dominated world headlines in 2024 but several other conflicts are ravaging countries...
Most Read
Geostrategy
Biden-brokered truce deal halts Israel-Hezbollah war; Netanyahu plans to go full force against Gaza and Iran
Under US-brokered terms, Lebanon's army regains border control, curbing Hezbollah activity, while Israel vows to maintain security operations if threats...
- US President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his ministers had agreed to a halt
- Under the terms of the Lebanon truce, Israel will maintain "full" freedom to act against Hezbollah should the Iran-backed group pose any new threat, Netanyahu said
Geostrategy
Israel intensifies attacks before ceasefire deadline as Lebanon seeks “immediate halt”
US president says ceasefire takes effect on Wednesday at 4:00 AM Beirut time, as Lebanese officials accuse Israel of trying...
- The US and France have spearheaded the truce efforts, and G7 foreign ministers in Italy called on for an "immediate ceasefire"
- The international community is called upon to act swiftly to stop this [Israeli] aggression and implement an immediate ceasefire, says Lebanese PM
Geostrategy
As AI gets real, slow and steady wins the race
Companies explore AI for coding, healthcare, law, and design—yet challenges like regulation, accuracy, and cost impede widespread adoption.
- The tech industry presents a more aggressive adoption curve. Google reports that 25 percent of its coding is now handled by generative AI.
- Athey, an economist of the tech industry, expressed worry about regions where a core profession such as call centers risked being swept away by AI.