UN urges ‘free and fair’ elections in Syria post-Assad ouster amid ongoing challenges
Turkey's Foreign Minister warned Syria's new government to address Kurdish militancy, signaling potential intervention if unresolved with tensions rising with...
Geostrategy
US stocks mostly rise ahead of expected rate cut, bitcoin hits new record
The Fed is widely expected to cut its key lending rate for a third straight time, reducing it by a...
Business
Economy
India, Iran sign 10-year agreement to develop port project
Tehran, Iran - India and Iran on Monday signed a 10-year contract to develop and equip the strategic Chabahar port in...
- The agreement will give India 10-year access to use the port, located close to Iran's southeastern border with Pakistan, according to Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development
- The contract will in turn see India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) invest $370 million into "providing strategic equipment" and "developing the transport infrastructure of the port".
Economy
Kuwait approves new government amid political crisis
Kuwait's emir approved a new cabinet Sunday two days after he dissolved the parliament elected only weeks earlier, and he...
- The new government -- the small emirate's 46th -- is headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed al-Abdullah al-Sabah
- MPs have previously accused ministers of corruption
Israel opens new border crossing into northern Gaza
Israel said its Kerem Shalom southern crossing with Gaza reopened on Wednesday, three days after being closed because of rocket...
- Israeli tanks entered Rafah in southern Gaza on Tuesday, seizing control of the Palestinian side of the crossing from Egypt
- The United Nations has said it has not been able to receive aid through Gaza's two main crossings in days
Geostrategy
Egypt says to support South Africa ICJ case against Israel
Pretoria brought its case to the ICJ in December, calling on the UN court to order Israel to suspend its...
- Egypt said its move to back the case comes "in light of the worsening severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip".
- It further pointed to Israel's systematic "targeting of civilians and destruction of infrastructure" and "pushing Palestinians into displacement and expulsion".
Business
QatarEnergy buys stake in Egypt blocks
It did not disclose the cost of the agreement.
- The Qatari state-owned hydrocarbon giant will receive stakes in the Cairo and Masry concessions off Egypt's north coast.
- Under the deal, the operator ExxonMobil retaining 60 percent, QatarEnergy said in a statement.
Hamas says Israeli-British hostage held in Gaza dead
Popplewell was kidnapped from his home during Hamas's October 7 attack along with his mother, Hanna Peri, who was released...
- Earlier on Saturday, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades released an 11-second clip showing captive Nadav Popplewell alive and identifying himself
- In the video, the footage was superimposed with text in Arabic and Hebrew that read: "Time is running out. Your government is lying."
Geostrategy
US slams Israel’s use of American weapons in Gaza
The US has warned that the reputational damage Israel will suffer if it storms a city where an estimated 1.4...
- Israel's main international ally said it was "reasonable to assess" that Israel has used weapons in ways inconsistent with international humanitarian law
- Relations between the two allies sunk earlier in the week after US President Joe Biden threatened to halt some arms deliveries if Israel went ahead with an assault on Rafah
Geostrategy
Kuwait emir dissolves parliament in new political crisis
The state's ruler attributed his move to the "interference" of some MPs in the emir's powers and others imposing "conditions"...
- The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said "an emiri order was issued to dissolve the national assembly and suspend some articles of the constitution for a period not exceeding four years
- It said the emir, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the council of ministers were "assuming the powers granted to the national assembly."
Business
TSMC’s April revenue up 60%
It capitalized on huge wave of demand for chips used in AI hardware.
- TSMC dominates the global chip industry, and the bulk of its fabrication plants are based in Taiwan, a self-ruled island that is claimed by neighboring China.
- TSMC announced plans in April for a third factory in the United States, raising its total investment in the United States to US$65 billion.
Geostrategy
UN votes symbolically in favor of Palestinian membership
"I have stood hundreds of times before at this podium, but never for a more significant vote than the one...
- Palestinians in April relaunched a request dating back to 2011 to become full members of the United Nations, where their current status is that of a "nonmember observer state."
- The vote lets Palestinians submit proposals and amendments directly, without having to go through another country, as is the case now.
UN urges ‘free and fair’ elections in Syria post-Assad ouster amid ongoing challenges
Turkey's Foreign Minister warned Syria's new government to address Kurdish militancy, signaling potential intervention if unresolved with tensions rising with...
Geostrategy
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Oil prices tumble after Israeli attacks spare Iran facilities
Tokyo, Japan - Oil prices tumbled in early Asian trading Monday with dealers relieved that Israeli strikes carried out Saturday against...
Economy
Media: Two major American liberal newspapers refuse to endorse Kamala Harris
With few days remaining to vote in the US election, two major liberal American newspapers have decided not to endorse...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia opens resort island at futuristic mega-city NEOM
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's planned futuristic mega-city known as NEOM announced on Sunday the opening of its "first physical...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Updates: Israel targets key military sites in Iran amid escalating tensions in Middle East
Explosions sounded across Tehran after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military sites, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle...
- The rapid escalation of violence has heightened fears across the region and beyond of a wider war, pitting Israel against Iran and the allies it dubs the "axis of resistance"
- US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the "targeted strikes on military targets" are " exercise of self-defence and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack
Arts & Culture
Saudis part ways with coach Mancini after a run of poor results
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's football body said it was ending the contract of national coach Roberto Mancini after 14...
- The Saudi Football Federation has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of Mancini, 59, who signed a lucrative deal until 2027 in August last year.
- Building a strong national team is a priority for the oil-rich Saudis who splashed more than a billion dollars on players last year and are the sole bidders for the 2034 World Cup.
Geostrategy
Israel and Hamas near ceasefire talks, spy chief heads to Qatar as truce momentum builds
Israel’s Mossad chief will travel to Qatar for ceasefire negotiations as Hamas signals readiness to halt fighting, contingent on Israel...
- Previous bids to stop the year-long war have failed, though the United States has voiced hope the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as opening for a deal
- A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group's Doha-based leadership discussed "ideas and proposals" related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo