Iran opposes Lebanese govt’s decision to disarm Hezbollah: Khamenei adviser
Iran opposes the Lebanese government's decision to disarm the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah...
Geostrategy
OpenAI releases ChatGPT-5 as AI race accelerates
San Francisco, United States -- OpenAI released a keenly awaited new generation of its hallmark ChatGPT on Thursday, touting "significant" advancements...
Business
Geostrategy
Scholz pledges support for Ukraine, but silent on battle tanks
Despite pressure on him to authorize delivery of tanks to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged support to the war-scarred...
- European allies have implored the German chancellor to agree to the export of German-made Leopard heavy tanks to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion
- Western countries supporting Ukraine are set to meet at the US-run Ramstein military base in Germany on Friday to coordinate their latest pledges to Ukraine
Business
Microsoft to lay off 10,000 workers as economic gloom deepens
The tech giant will lay off some 10,000 employees in the coming months as the economic downturn continues to punish...
- The layoffs were "in response to macroeconomic conditions and changing customer priorities," the maker of the Windows operating system said in a US regulatory filing
- It already made two rounds of layoffs, one in July, which affected less than one percent of the workforce, and a second one in October that targeted less than one thousand
Geostrategy
Erdogan signals Turkey general polls might be held a month ahead
Analysts believe that Erdogan's office is looking for a perfect moment at which his own voters are more likely to...
- Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted party have ruled Turkey for two tumultuous decades that have seen years of economic booms and busts
- His secular opposition enters the campaign divided over everything from policy to strategy and has not agreed on a candidate
Economy
Curbing oil dependency Saudi priority, says Economy Minister
Despite its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2060, the country remains hugely dependent on crude oil exports...
- Soaring crude prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine allowed Saudi to post in 2022 its first budget surplus in nine years, giving it firepower for economic development.
- And at Davos, Saudi officials announced a joint initiative with the Davos forum organizers to accelerate high-tech innovation in the country via the metaverse.
Economy
Asian markets up on recovery hopes, yen sinks after BoJ decision
Weak earnings from banking titan Goldman Sachs, a jobs warning by Microsoft, and a plunge in manufacturing data highlighted the...
- Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Manila, Bangkok and Mumbai were all on the rise, though Seoul and Jakarta dipped
- Yen tumbled from around 128.50 per dollar to more than 131 at one point Wednesday after Bank of Japan decided against further tweaking monetary policy
Economy
Microsoft to cut staff
The computer industry stalwart has some 220,000 workers.
- The computer industry stalwart could announce layoffs in its engineering divisions as early as Wednesday
- Wedbush is expecting staff cuts of another 5 to 10 percent across the tech sector, Ives told investors
Economy
Auto sales in Europe drop to a three-decade low in 2022
Paris, France--New vehicle registrations in Europe dropped to their lowest level since 1993 last year as component shortages continued to hinder...
- The overall number of EU registrations fell 4.6 percent to 9.3 million, a level last seen three decades ago
- Volkswagen remained the European market leader with 2.3 million vehicles sold, a 5.2 percent decline, for a stable market share of 25.1 percent
Business
Qantas flight lands at Sydney after mid-air mayday alert
The plane, a Boeing 737-800, appeared to land safely at Sydney airport before coming to a stop on the runway,...
- The flight -- QF144 -- was believed to be carrying more than 100 passengers from New Zealand, an ambulance spokeswoman said
- NSW Ambulance earlier said they were on standby at the airport after the plane issued a mid-air mayday call over the Tasman Sea bet
Economy
European investigators quiz Lebanese over central bank chief
Investigators from France, Germany and Luxembourg began hearing witnesses Monday as part of the case of suspected financial misconduct including...
- The long-serving central bank chief is among top officials widely blamed for monetary policies that have led to a Lebanese economic crisis
- Investigators questioned former vice governor Saad Andary on Monday and are also set to hear evidence from Raed Charafeddine, another former vice governor
Morocco says to boost military ties with Israel
It followed the United States' recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, in a quid pro quo...
- The two countries agreed to further strengthen cooperation and expand it to other areas, including in intelligence, air defence and electronic warfare
- The announcement on Tuesday follows the first meeting of the monitoring committee for Moroccan-Israeli defence cooperation in the Moroccan capital
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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
Iran opposes Lebanese govt’s decision to disarm Hezbollah: Khamenei adviser
Iran opposes the Lebanese government's decision to disarm the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Yemen Houthis claim responsibility for drone attack on Tel Aviv
A statement from the rebels, who have carried out dozens of attacks against Red Sea shipping in what they say...
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...
Geostrategy
Hezbollah vows to hit new Israeli targets if civilians killed
Since October, the cross-border violence has killed 511 people in Lebanon.
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
IMF maintains 2024 global growth forecast, warns of inflation risk
The International Monetary Fund expects the world economy to grow 3.2 percent this year, unchanged from its April forecast, according...
- But even as many countries saw better growth than anticipated early this year, the IMF flagged surprises in Japan and the United States.
- The IMF's report warned that a resurgence of tariffs can trigger retaliation and a "costly race to the bottom."
Geostrategy
Hamas and Palestinian rivals Fatah to meet in Beijing: officials
Several reconciliation bids have failed, but calls have grown since the Hamas October 7 attacks on Israel set off the...
- The Hamas delegation is to be headed by its Qatar-based political chief Ismail Haniyeh, while the Fatah representation will be led by deputy head Mahmud Alul, Fatah sources said
- The two groups have been bitter rivals since Hamas fighters ejected Fatah from the Gaza Strip after deadly clashes that followed Hamas's resounding victory in a 2006 election
Al-Hada and Muhammadya Al-Shafa in Taif: A tapestry of tourism, nature
Taif, Saudi Arabia - Taif and its serene towering mountains, nestled deep within the majestic Sarawat Mountains, serve as a...
- The paved roads of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountains, such as Akabat Al-Kar and Akabat Al-Muhammadya, provide easy access to biodiversity
- Visitors can spend their days under the shade of abundant juniper trees and beside cool freshwater streams, allowing them to appreciate Taif's unique and pristine natural diversity