UN chief condemns ‘endless’ Gaza horrors as Israel presses offensive
Israel, whose military is preparing to conquer Gaza City, is under mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its...
Geostrategy
25 countries suspend postal services to United States over tariffs: UN
The Trump administration said late last month that it will abolish a tax exemption on small packages entering the United...
Economy
Ford reports solid performance
The company's profits came in at $1.8 billion.
- Profits came in at $1.8 billion, compared with a $3.1 billion loss in the year-ago period connected to an accounting loss
- Tuesday's results were the first under Ford's new reporting structure that includes separate financial details for EVs
Geostrategy
Myanmar’s junta sets free over 2,000 political prisoners
The junta said in a statement that pardons were granted to 2,153 prisoners to mark the birth anniversary of the...
- The announcement of the prisoner release coincided with the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to Myanmar for talks with generals
- According to a local monitoring group, some 21,000 people have been arrested since the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi's government by the military
Press freedom under attack everywhere: UN, media
The rise of disinformation and hate speech threatens truth, while journalists continue to face harassment, intimidation, and imprisonment, highlight UN...
- Speaking ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issues a rallying cry for journalists and media worldwide
- "All our freedom depends on press freedom," he said in a video message, calling it the "foundation of democracy and justice" and the "lifeblood of human rights."
Economy
As Israel celebrates 75th anniversary, its economy presents a dichotomy of success and inequality
A country that describes itself as a "start-up nation" now boasts of higher per capita GDP than many European countries....
- Growth in Israel was 6.5 percent in 2022, down from 8.6 percent in 2021 but well above the OECD average of 2.8 percent, and the budget deficit largely contained
- Israel's cyber security work has made the sector one of economy's driving forces, with companies such as Check Point establishing themselves as global leaders in IT security
Iran’s president visits Syria for first trip since war
Preparations for Raisi's visit have been underway for days in the Damascus district housing Iran's embassy, with concrete barriers in...
- The visit comes just weeks after Iran's landmark agreement to restore ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia and amid a flurry of diplomacy in the Middle East
- Raisi and Assad would discuss "bilateral ties, shared economic and political issues, and positive developments in the region", Syria's state news agency said
Geostrategy
Sudan warring parties agree ‘in principle’ to 7-day truce: S. Sudan govt
Diplomatic efforts have intensified to end more than two weeks of war in Africa's third-largest country as warnings multiply about...
- The week-long truce came in a phone conversation South Sudan's President Salva Kiir had with the warring parties as part of IGAD's initiative for a pause in fighting
- The repeated violations of truces sparked criticism earlier Tuesday at a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of the Extended Mechanism on the Sudan Crisis
Business
Samsung bans use of ChatGPT for mobile, appliances staff
Seoul, South Korea -- Samsung Electronics is banning employees in its mobile and appliances division from using generative AI services such...
- Major financial firms, including Goldman Sachs, have banned or restricted employees' use of ChatGPT-like platforms in recent months.
- More than 60 percent of Samsung staff said in an internal survey there were security risks with using generative AI platforms with company devices.
Geostrategy
7 killed in Israeli strikes on Syria; Aleppo airport damaged
Israeli strikes on north Syria's Aleppo province killed four Syrian officers and three Iran-backed fighters, putting the area's international airport...
- Strikes "completely destroyed" a munitions depot in the Nayrab airfield area, killing four Syrian army officers, says a war monitor
- Israeli missiles also slammed into Syrian air force factories in Safireh, Aleppo province, "causing extensive material damage", it adds
Business
Pfizer Q1 profit at $5.5bn
Profit fell on declining COVID-19 vaccine revenues.
- Shares of the pharma giant edged higher as Pfizer CEO touted an "unprecedented" number of new launches.
- Revenues fell 29 percent to $18.3 billion following a $10 billion drop from COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty.
Economy
Federal Reserve begins rate talks that could hearld end of hikes
With the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) widely expected to raise its base rate a quarter-point on Wednesday, analysts will...
- In March, the Fed held off a larger rate hike, instead opting for a quarter-point rise amid a banking crisis unleashed by SVB's collapse.
- Like the Fed's previous rate decision, the meeting on May 2 and 3 takes place shortly after one of the largest bank failures in American history.
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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
UN chief condemns ‘endless’ Gaza horrors as Israel presses offensive
Israel, whose military is preparing to conquer Gaza City, is under mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its...
Geostrategy
Company News
Swiss reserve hike hits UBS
Business
Latest News
Syria has held ‘meetings’ with US: Assad
Geostrategy
Qatar halts Gaza mediation efforts amid stalled talks on ceasefire and hostage release
The Gulf emirate, which has hosted Hamas's political leadership since 2012 with US blessing, has been involved in months of...
Global food prices reach 18-month high, vegetable oil cost soars
Paris, France -- Global food prices rose in October to their highest level in 18 months, with a sharp increase in...
Geostrategy
Buried for 14 hours after Israeli strike, Lebanese toddler makes recovery
The strike flattened an apartment complex and killed 15 people, many of them relatives
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Who will staff Trump’s Govt? A look at top contenders, with Elon Musk among the likely picks
Tesla CEO Elon Musk could head a new "Department of Government Efficiency," promising $2 trillion in federal budget cuts and...
- "There are some people that will be returning (from Trump's first term)," senior Trump aide Jason Miller told Fox Business. "And there'll be some new people joining the mix."
- Linda McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, and Howard Lutnick, the founder of the brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, are leading the transition process
Business
Emirates half-year profit $2.5bn
The record profit is subject to new 9% corporate tax for the first time.
- The airline group, operating from the world's busiest airport for international traffic, has faced regional disruptions due to the conflicts, but has expanded its network elsewhere
- Group revenue rose 5.0 percent to $19.3 billion on "consistently strong customer demand across business divisions, and across regions", the statement said.
Geostrategy
Lebanon MPs demand UN protection of heritage sites from Israel attacks
The Lebanese MPs called on Azoulay to "urgently prioritize the protection of these historic sites by mobilizing UNESCO’s authority.
- "During the devastating war on Lebanon, Israel has caused grave human rights violations and atrocities," the lawmakers said
- Lebanon is home to six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Roman ruins in Baalbek and Tyre