Trump, Putin meeting ends in areas of agreement, a renewed friendship but without Ukraine deal
"There's no deal until there's a deal," Trump said after emerging from a meeting with Putin. offering warm words but...
Geostrategy
At least 1,760 killed while seeking aid in Gaza since late May: UN
"While 994 were killed in the vicinity of GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) sites, 766 were killed along the routes of...
Geostrategy
Economy
Quake damages more than $100 billion in Turkey alone: UNDP
The World Bank estimated last week that the devastating quake, which flattened entire cities, had caused damage worth more than...
- The 7.8-magnitude quake that struck on February 6 and its aftershocks have claimed more than 45,000 lives in Turkey.
- The UNDP has been "very disappointed and saddened" by the low level of response to funding appeals to date.
Economy
US interest rate likely to rise, says Federal Reserve head
US interest rates will likely peak at a higher level than previously anticipated due to economic data that came in...
- The US central bank has raised its benchmark lending rate eight times since early last year.
- US job gains had surged unexpectedly in January while unemployment slipped to its lowest rate in more than five decades.
Geostrategy
Tunisia’s economic woes to worsen after World Bank lending pause
Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa faced violence and many were made homeless since Saied ordered "urgent measures" against them. In response,...
- A World Bank official told AFP that it was unlikely any new funding would be approved until the "situation is clarified".
- Tunisia has been in talks since 2021 with the World Bank's fellow global lender, the International Monetary Fund, for a $2-billion bailout loan.
Geostrategy
Syria health workers launch cholera vaccine drive in rebel-held northwest
MAARET MASRIN, SYRIA - Syrian medics launched Tuesday the first cholera vaccination campaign in the rebel-held northwest since a deadly outbreak...
- Health workers were going door to door to inoculate people in homes and displacement camps in Syria's Idlib region.
- Across Syria around 85,000 suspected cases have been logged, according to the United Nations.
Geostrategy
Iran makes first arrests as mystery school poisoning cases hit 5,000
Scores of Iranian schools have been hit by poisonings since late November, with pupils suffering symptoms ranging from shortness of...
- Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had called Monday for the perpetrators of the "unforgivable crime" to be tracked down "without mercy" as public anger mounts.
- Deputy health minister Saeed Karimi said symptoms included "respiratory irritation, stomachache, weakness and lethargy".
Geostrategy
Israeli warplanes hit Syria’s Aleppo airport, says ministry
Israeli warplanes struck Aleppo airport before dawn, causing significant damage that halted flights to and from Syria's war- and quake-battered...
- The damage forced authorities to close the airport to all flights, the Syrian government said.
- Aid deliveries have been diverted to Damascus and Latakia airports, a Syrian transport ministry statement said.
Business
Japan allots US$1.6bn to contentious Australia hydrogen project
In a statement, HESC said the project has entered its commercial demonstration phase with money from Japan's Green Innovation Fund,...
- The Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project is a joint Japanese-Australian undertaking intended to produce plentiful and affordable fuel for Tokyo
- Its backers argue it will create economic opportunity in Victoria, but NGO Environment Victoria has also warned about the HESC's CCS claims
Food system emissions will add 1°C to earth’s surface temperature by 2100
A major overhaul of the sector - from production to distribution to consumption - could reduce those emissions by more...
- A major overhaul of the sector - from production to distribution to consumption -could reduce those emissions by more than half
- Mitigating emissions from the food sector is essential to working toward a secure climate future, the study's lead author Catherine Ivanovich said
Pentagon chief in Iraq, 20 years after US-led invasion toppled Saddam
Iraq has recently hosted a raft of foreign officials, including the Iranian, Russian and Saudi foreign ministers and UN chief...
- His visit comes ahead of the March 20 anniversary of the ground invasion which ushered in two decades of bloodshed that Iraq is only now beginning to exit
- "I'm here to reaffirm the US-Iraq strategic partnership as we move toward a more secure, stable and sovereign Iraq," Austin tweeted as he landed in Baghdad
Economy
China agrees to restructure bankrupt Sri Lanka’s loans for IMF bailout
Colombo, Sri Lanka--Sri Lanka's president said Tuesday that China had agreed to restructure its loans to the bankrupt island nation,...
- The South Asian nation defaulted on its $46-billion foreign debt last April during its economic crisis, which caused months of food and fuel shortages
- Ranil Wickremesinghe's government has been working to secure a $2.9 billion rescue package from the IMF to restore Sri Lanka's ruined public finances
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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
Trump, Putin meeting ends in areas of agreement, a renewed friendship but without Ukraine deal
"There's no deal until there's a deal," Trump said after emerging from a meeting with Putin. offering warm words but...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Iran’s president to visit Iraq on first foreign trip, sign MoU on security
Tehran, Iran -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit neighboring Iraq on Wednesday, state media reported Sunday, in what will be...
Geostrategy
‘Beautiful thing’: hijab-wearing singer looks to inspire
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - In a Dubai recording studio, hijab-clad Ghaliaa Chaker tunes her guitar and belts out original songs...
Arts & Culture
UAE’s Etihad finds ‘no issues’ with engines of A350 fleet: statement
Rolls-Royce said on Thursday it was launching "a one-time precautionary engine inspection programme" which may apply "to a portion of...
Business
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Iraqi date farmers fight drought to protect national treasure
Janājah, Iraq - Bare feet pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back supported by a metal and...
- Once known as the country of "30 million palm trees", Iraq's ancient date-growing culture had already suffered from upheaval
- Authorities and religious institutions have launched programmes and mega-projects to encourage tree planting and growth
Geostrategy
Hamas urges US pressure on Israel over Gaza truce
Palestinian Territories - Hamas called on the United States Thursday to "exert real pressure" on Israel to reach a Gaza...
- The two sides have traded blame over stalling talks for a ceasefire and hostage exchange as Netanyahu faces pressure to seal a deal following the deaths of six Gaza captives
- Hamas's Qatar-based lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya called on the US to "exert real pressure on Netanyahu and his government" and "abandon their blind bias" towards Israel
Business
China’s Xi promises US$50 billion for Africa over next three years
China, the world's number two economy, is Africa's largest trading partner
- More than 50 African leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are attending the China-Africa forum
- "Over the next three years, the Chinese government is willing to provide financial support amounting to US$50.7 billion," Xi said