UN plastic pollution treaty talks floundering, with countries wildly at odds
Geneva, Switzerland - Talks on forging a groundbreaking treaty to combat the scourge of plastic pollution were floundering Saturday, with...
Science
Putin-Trump summit to meet on Friday on Ukraine: what we know so far
On his Truth Social site on Friday, Trump announced that his meeting with Putin would be held in the far-north...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Meta reviewing call to make adult nudity policies more inclusive
San Francisco, United States--Meta was reviewing a call by its oversight board to make its policies on adult nudity more inclusive,...
- The announcement came after the tech giant removed two Instagram posts showing transgender and non-binary people with their chests bared.
- A Meta spokesperson told AFP Thursday that the company welcomed the board's move and had already restored the images.
Business
Netflix soars to 230 mn subscribers, co-founder steps down
Netflix became a publicly traded company in early 2002 at an opening price of $15 a share. Shares in the...
- The changing of the guard was announced as Netflix posted added subscribers that blew past even the most optimistic expectations
- The streaming giant said it enticed 7.7 million new members in three months, bringing Netflix membership around the world to 230 million people
World Economic Forum
European economy to perform better than expected, says Lagarde
The rhetoric has shifted from talk of a recession in the 20-nation club to "a small contraction", she said, with...
- The cautious optimism comes as sky-high energy prices, which soared last year because of the war in Ukraine, have started to fall.
- Lower energy costs have contributed to a drop in eurozone inflation, which peaked at 10.6 percent in October.
Business
Twitter bird frame fetches $1million for Musk at auction
San Francisco, USA - A Twitter bird statue fetched $100,000 on Wednesday as Elon Musk auctioned off furniture, decorations, kitchen...
- Among the 631 lots were espresso machines, ergonomically correct desks, televisions, bicycle-powered charging stations.
- Musk in December said that severe cost cuts at Twitter had repaired the company's dire finances as he set out to find a new CEO.
Geostrategy
Netanyahu, US security advisor discuss normalizing ties with Saudi
Netanyahu, who returned to office last month with the formation of a new government, was at the helm in 2020...
- In their talks, Netanyahu and Sullivan discussed "measures to deepen the Abraham Accords and expand the cycle of peace, with an emphasis on a breakthrough with Saudi.
- Before speaking with Netanyahu on Thursday, Sullivan had met with head of Israel's Mossad spy agency David Barnea and Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi.
Arts & Culture
One dead, dozens hurt in stampede before Iraq Gulf Cup final, say medics
One person was killed and dozens injured when a stampede broke out outside a football stadium in Iraq hours before...
- Thousands of fans without tickets had gathered outside the stadium in Iraq's Basra in the hope of watching the final between Iraq and Oman.
- Images posted on social media showed a sea of people outside the stadium.
Geostrategy
Iran denounces EU parliament for urging sanctions on Guards
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian "strongly criticized the emotional approach of the European parliament and labelled the move inappropriate and incorrect"...
- Iranian foreign minister's remarks came a day after MEPs voted in an amendment to an annual foreign policy report to urge the EU to blacklist the IRGC
- The European parliament cited the IRGC's "terrorist activity, repression of protesters and supply of drones to Russia" in its blacklisting call
Geostrategy
Two killed in Israeli raid in Jenin: Palestinian ministry
The ministry announced the "martyrdom of Jawad Farid Bawaqna, 57, killed by a bullet in the chest, and Adham Mohammed...
- Jenin incident raises the toll of Palestinians killed this month in the West Bank to 17, including civilians and militants
- A surge in violence in 2022 made it the deadliest year in the West Bank since United Nations records began in 2005
Turkey asks US for F-16 jets amid NATO, Congress rows
Meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he intended to discuss his country's request...
- United States is finalizing a $20 billion package for Turkey that is expected to include around 40 new F-16 fighter jets
- Senator Bob Menendez, a member of Biden's Democratic Party who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has vowed to block any sale
Business
Musk-owned Twitter sells bird statue for $100,000 in auction
An online auction of "surplus corporate office assets of Twitter" that lasted slightly more than 24 hours also featured a...
- Musk in December said that severe cost cuts at Twitter had repaired the company's dire finances as he set out to find a new CEO for the social media giant
- Musk said his strategy is to massively reduce costs while building up revenue, and that a new $8 subscription service called Twitter Blue would help with that goal
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
UN plastic pollution treaty talks floundering, with countries wildly at odds
Geneva, Switzerland - Talks on forging a groundbreaking treaty to combat the scourge of plastic pollution were floundering Saturday, with...
Science
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Defiant Biden vows to ‘win’ despite growing revolt
Around 25 House Democrats and three senators have now called on Biden to drop out since a disastrous debate performance...
Geostrategy
Palestinians hail ICJ ruling calling Israeli occupation illegal
Jerusalem: The Palestinian leadership hailed as "historic" Friday a ruling by the top UN court that Israel's occupation of the...
Geostrategy
Antivirus update sparks global tech chaos: Flights, banks hit
Air passengers crowded into airports to wait for news as dozens of flights were cancelled and operators struggled to keep...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel lawmakers vote to oppose Palestinian state
The vote, which drew swift criticism from the Palestinian leadership and the international community, is largely symbolic but laid down...
- The establishment of a Palestinian state on lands occupied by Israel in 1967 has been the cornerstone of the international community's efforts to resolve the conflict.
- UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that "recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-state solution".
Geostrategy
Hezbollah vows to hit new Israeli targets if civilians killed
Since October, the cross-border violence has killed 511 people in Lebanon.
- Hezbollah warned Israel of the consequences of any invasion of Lebanon
- The Israeli military said that "operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated"
Geostrategy
Israel bombs Gaza after US criticizes high civilian toll
The health ministry said a strike on a fuel station in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza killed 17 people, and the...
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier conveyed Washington's "serious concern" to two senior Israeli officials regarding deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza, his spokesman said
- Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Sunday the group was pulling out of indirect talks for a deal in protest at Israeli "massacres."