Netanyahu to brief army on Gaza war plan ahead of UN meet on hostages
His statement came after hundreds of retired Israeli security chiefs wrote to US President Donald Trump to urge him to...
Geostrategy
Israel says ground troops conducted raids in Syria in the latest border raid since Assad fall
Israel's military said Sunday ground troops had operated in southern Syria, seizing weapons and questioning individuals suspected of arms trafficking,...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
EU seeks more sanctions on Iran for Russian drone supply
The EU is set to impose more sanctions on Iran for drone supplies to Russia and a crackdown on protests...
- The EU is looking under a separate sanctions package to stop the supply of drone engines from the bloc to Russia and Iran.
- Another 20 individuals and one organization will be added to the asset freeze and visa ban blacklist over the repression of demonstrations in Iran.
Geostrategy
Arab leaders adopt plan for 2023-2027 to push GCC-China partnership
"China will continue to firmly support the GCC countries in maintaining their own security... and build a collective security framework...
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said the Arab-Chinese summit will give a “tangible impetus” to Arab-Chinese cooperation in all its forms.
- Earlier on Friday, a joint Chinese-Saudi statement spoke of "focusing on emissions rather than sources" in tackling climate change, the approach championed by the Gulf nations.
Market Report
Equities boosted by China news before rate calls
Global stocks rose on China's slowing inflation and economic reopening, alongside hopes of less aggressive interest rate hikes next week....
- Traders were setting their sights also on the release of two key US inflation reports ahead of the Federal Reserve's final policy meeting of the year.
- Investors were meanwhile hopeful that central banks in the United States, eurozone and UK will next week ease the pace of interest rate hikes.
Business
AirAsia branch in Cambodia soon
Venture would start with two aircraft and expand to 15.
- The latest move to reorganize the Malaysia-based firm's network comes after setbacks in recent years.
- The firm's future airlines would also be based in Southeast Asia as it was a familiar region.
Business
Britain fines Santander US$132m
Firm fined due to gaps in anti-money laundering controls.
- The Financial Conduct Authority said that it had concluded Santander UK failed to properly manage its anti-money laundering systems between December 2012 and October 2017.
- Santander UK had taken action to address the issues once they were identified.
Geostrategy
Israel’s Netanyahu requests more time to form government
The November 1 election put former premier Netanyahu in a position to form a stable, right-wing government, ending an unprecedented...
- President Isaac Herzog on November 13 tapped Netanyahu to form a government with the backing of factions representing 64 out of 120 lawmakers in parliament
- Likud announced early Thursday a deal with a fourth party, Shas, that gave the ultra-Orthodox Jewish party five ministerial positions
Business
China makes first delivery of homegrown passenger jet
The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China said at an airshow last month that it had secured orders for 300...
- Beijing hopes the C919 commercial jetliner will challenge foreign models like the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320
- The first model of the narrow-body jet, which seats 164 passengers, was formally handed over to China Eastern Airlines
Business
Musk faces legal onslaught from angry ex-Twitter workers
The social media giant is facing a growing number of cases over the terms of terminating employees -- and even...
- Musk's disdain for working from home is also being resisted, with employees with disabilities or health concerns seeing orders to come back to the office as discriminatory
- The stack of legal cases could also force Musk to work towards a settlement, especially since his company is under huge financial stress after taking over the Twitter
Economy
Abu Dhabi Chamber inks 3 pacts to drive economic growth
ABU DHABI, UAE - As part of its participation in the first edition of the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition...
- The MoUs are a part of the chamber’s efforts to drive economic growth in Abu Dhabi and support investment in vital sectors.
- As part of its efforts to support start-ups and SMEs, the Abu Dhabi Chamber signed a partnership agreement with the Emirates Development Bank.
Geostrategy
Xi Jinping meets Saudi Arabia’s crown prince on high-stakes visit
About $30 billion in agreements will be signed on Thursday, Saudi state media said, as China seeks to shore up...
- Arab leaders also began to converge on the Saudi capital ahead of a summit with Xi, who will hold separate talks with the six-member GCC.
- The crown prince sees China as a critical partner in his Vision 2030 agenda, seeking the involvement of Chinese firms in mega-projects meant to diversify the economy.
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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
Netanyahu to brief army on Gaza war plan ahead of UN meet on hostages
His statement came after hundreds of retired Israeli security chiefs wrote to US President Donald Trump to urge him to...
Geostrategy
Company News
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EU targets UAE telecoms firm in new anti-subsidy probe
Telecoms group e&, whose majority stakeholder is the UAE government, signed a $2.3-billion agreement in August 2023 to purchase Czech...
Business
Blinken meets Sisi in Cairo at start of Mideast tour
Blinken said his message to regional governments was that "if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes" to...
Geostrategy
Blinken returns to Mideast in push for truce
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heading back to the Middle East on Monday to push a ceasefire plan,...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel army says senior commander resigns over Oct 7 attack
Israel's army said Sunday that a senior commander had resigned over what he called his failure to prevent the October...
- Rosenfeld wrote in a resignation letter released by the army: "Everyone has to take responsibility for their part, and I am the one responsible in Division 143."
- "On October 7, I failed my life's mission: to protect the envelope," he wrote, referring to the southern Israeli communities on the border with Gaza
US destroys drones, missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen
Houthi television channel Al-Massirah meanwhile said there were air strikes in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and elsewhere in the country...
- The Houthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in attacks they say are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza
- Houthi attacks have sent insurance costs spiraling for vessels transiting the Red Sea and prompted many shipping firms to take the longer passage around the southern tip of Africa
Geostrategy
Israel pounds Gaza refugee camp as war enters ninth month
In a new diplomatic push, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan...
- Efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the bloody conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled a week after US President Joe Biden offered a new roadmap
- Hamas has yet to respond to Biden's proposal, while Israel has expressed openness to discussions but remains committed to destroying the Palestinian group