‘Like hell’: Indoor heat overwhelms Saudi Arabia’s cooks, bakers
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Baker Eid Ahmed just can't get away from Saudi Arabia's notorious heat: he makes bread next...
Geostrategy
Oil prices rise ahead of US-Russia summit as stocks digest inflation data
New York, United States - Wall Street stocks finished little changed Thursday as markets absorbed a disappointing inflation report, while...
Economy
Geostrategy
Israelis take to streets for ninth week to protest judicial reform
The latest rally in Tel Aviv came after a similar demonstration on Wednesday when police employed stun grenades and water...
- Netanyahu presents the overhaul as key to restoring balance between the branches of government in a system he believes gives judges too much power over elected officials
- Another element of the reforms would give the 120-member parliament power to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority of 61 votes
Economy
Iraq customs orders enforcement of alcohol import ban
In spite of divisions over the legislation, Iraq's customs department has given orders to begin enforcing a ban on alcohol...
- The new legislation approved by parliament in 2016 only became law after its publication in the official gazette on February 20
- It has drawn sharp criticism from rights activists and lawmakers representing Iraq's dwindling non-Muslim communities
Economy
Iran announces discovery of large lithium deposit
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran has announced the discovery of a large deposit of lithium, a key component of batteries for electric...
- This reserve is believed to hold "8.5 million tonnes" of lithium, according to a senior Iranian official.
- This white metal is an essential component of rechargeable batteries used in cell phones and other electronic devices.
Geostrategy
Earthquake caused direct damage of $5.1bn in Syria, says World Bank
A massive earthquake and aftershocks in February caused an estimated US$5.1 billion in direct physical damage in Syria, said the...
- The earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, devastated scores of cities and killed over 50,000 people in both countries.
- World Bank said that its report does not cover broader economic impacts and losses for Syria, such as production or business interruption.
Science
Ocean conference participants pledge US$19bn
Panama City, Panama - Delegates to a global conference on saving the world's oceans pledged US$19 billion, the host country Panama...
- European Union announced it would dedicate $865 million to ocean-related projects this year
- The total included a $6 billion from the United States, announced by White House climate envoy John Kerry
Geostrategy
‘Schoolgirls in 5 Iran provinces treated for new poisonings’
Dozens of Iranian schoolgirls across five provinces were hospitalized in a new wave of suspected poisoning attacks, local media reported....
- Last week, Iran's deputy health minister, Younes Panahi, said the poisonings were aimed at shutting down education for girls
- The string of poisonings come over five months into nationwide protests following the death in custody of Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini
Geostrategy
Saudi, Qatar slam Israel minister’s Palestinian town remarks
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Friday condemned a call by an Israeli minister for a flashpoint Palestinian town...
- The Saudi foreign ministry expressed its "complete rejection of such racist and irresponsible statements"
- Qatar described Smotrich's comments as "hateful and provocative" and said it considered them "a serious incitement to a war crime"
Geostrategy
UN nuclear chief to meet Raisi during crucial Iran talks
Grossi was greeted Friday at Mehrabad International Airport by Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and...
- Grossi had made clear "that he was only prepared to go to Tehran if he had an invitation to speak with the president," the source told AFP
- The two-day visit by the head of the IAEA comes as the Vienna-based organisation seeks greater cooperation with Iran over its nuclear activities
Geostrategy
Tunisia warns trade unions against inviting foreigners for protest
Warning the country's powerful trade union federation against inviting foreigners to a planned weekend demonstration, Tunisian President Kais Saied said...
- The president said the presence of foreigners at protests "is totally unacceptable" and that Tunisia "is not a domain without a master."
- He has pushed through sweeping changes to the North African country's political system, concentrating near-total power in his office
Economy
UAE, Turkey sign free trade deal in sign of warming ties
Pushing aside their differences in relations strained by regional disputes, the oil-rich United Arab Emirates and Turkey signed a free...
- Turkey and the UAE have backed opposing sides in regional conflicts and have sparred over issues including gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean
- Early last year, Erdogan made his first visit to the UAE in nearly a decade and called on business leaders to invest in his country
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
‘Like hell’: Indoor heat overwhelms Saudi Arabia’s cooks, bakers
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Baker Eid Ahmed just can't get away from Saudi Arabia's notorious heat: he makes bread next...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Biden, unions pile pressure on Netanyahu for hostage release deal
Jerusalem -- Pressure mounted Monday on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a major strike was held and US President...
Geostrategy
Bahrain to introduce minimum tax for large multinationals
Beginning in January 2025, the measure will place a minimum tax of 15 percent on revenues over 750 million euros ($830...
Business
Israel set for general strike after Gaza hostages found dead
A nationwide strike aimed at ramping up pressure on Israel's government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in...
Most Read
Geostrategy
Israel set for general strike after Gaza hostages found dead
"I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken," Arnon bar...
- Qatar-based Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said the six hostages were "killed by Zionist (Israeli) bombing", an accusation the military denied.
- A senior Hamas official told AFP on condition of anonymity that "some" of the six had been "approved" for release in a potential hostage-prisoner swap.
Business
Countries where the X social network is banned and why
Paris, France - With its ban of X, which went into effect on Saturday, Brazil joins a small club of countries...
- Beyond permanent bans, some nations have temporarily restricted access to X, formerly Twitter, which has often been used by political dissidents to communicate
- These have included Egypt in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings, Turkey in 2014 and 2023, and Uzbekistan around that country's 2021 presidential election
Bosnia and Egypt clinch crucial wins in Paralympic sitting volleyball
Since first qualifying for the Paralympics in 2000, Bosnia have never finished outside of the podium and they made a...
- Bosnia, the two-time Paralympic champions in the event, ensured their progression to the semi-finals with a thrilling 3-2 win against Kazakhstan
- Later in the same pool, Egypt raced to a straight-sets win against France to secure their first win of the tournament