Banana taped to a wall sells for $6.2 million
The provocative work of conceptual art by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan debuted at the Art Basel show in Miami Beach...
Arts & Culture
Iraq holds its first census in nearly 40 years
The Iraqi census is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, and will provide sorely needed up-to-date demographic data for the country...
Economy
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...
- The price of North Sea Brent for delivery in December fell by 4.05 percent to $72.97, while West Texas Intermediate plunged by 4.19 percent to $68.77
- "Israel's strike, carefully avoiding energy sites, has softened fears of a full-scale conflict with Iran," said Stephen Innes, analyst at SPI Asset Management
Geostrategy
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...
- The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post say they will not endorse Kamala Harris or any presidential candidate
- "Our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent"
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...
- The Red Sea island, known as Sindalah, is "spread over 840,000 square meters" (200 acres) and will be set to receive "up to 2,400 guests per day by 2028".
- NEOM is best known for The Line, twin mirror-encased 170-kilometre-long skyscrapers meant to extend inland from the coast.
Geostrategy
Updates: Iran calls on UN Security Council to condemn Israeli strikes amid fresh peace efforts
Iran unlikely to escalate situation with Israel, say experts, as UN chief says destruction in Gaza is "shocking". Netanyahu faces...
- Iran sends letter to the UN Council to condemn Israeli "aggression" intelligence chief meet in Doha to discuss ceasefire
- "Repeated efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies essential to survive -- food, medicine and shelter -- continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities..."
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
Geostrategy
Israel to send negotiators to new Gaza truce talks in Qatar
The head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, will head to Qatari capital Doha on Sunday, the Israeli prime...
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that mediators would explore new options after the failure of previous efforts to seal a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
- The US and Qatar were seeking a plan "so that Israel can withdraw, so that Hamas cannot reconstitute, and so that the Palestinian people can rebuild their lives.
Geostrategy
Beirut’s suburbs ravaged by Israeli air raids as Blinken urges de-escalation with Iran
Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold destroyed six buildings in the deadliest assault since the war began, despite U.S....
- In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes pounded Tyre, leaving swathes of its centre in ruins and sparking a new exodus from the once vibrant coastal city
- Concerns are mounting over tens of thousands of civilians trapped by fighting in Gaza's aid-starved north, where Israel launched a major air and ground assault this month
Business
Troubled Boeing faces investors and awaits strike vote
Boeing, the beleaguered aviation giant announces what is expected to be its biggest quarterly loss in four years, and striking...
- Analysts estimate a loss of US$6.1 billion, its biggest since the fourth quarter of 2020
- On October 15, Boeing announced it plans to raise up to US$25 billion to navigate the period
Banana taped to a wall sells for $6.2 million
The provocative work of conceptual art by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan debuted at the Art Basel show in Miami Beach...
Arts & Culture
Company News
Latest News
Avia to buy 40 Boeing aircraft
Business
Saudi Arabia appoints new CEO to drive NEOM’s mega-city project forward
In a big move, Saudi Arabia appoints Aiman al-Mudaifer as NEOM’s interim CEO, a strategic choice to advance the futuristic...
Lebanon says 11 killed in Israel strikes across the country
Lebanon said Israeli strikes killed 11 people across the country Tuesday
Saudi-hosted summit says Mideast peace requires end to Israeli occupation
The summit's closing statement said that "a just and comprehensive peace in the region... cannot be achieved without ending the...
Geostrategy
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Economy
World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing
Dozens of world leaders convene in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for COP29 but many big names are skipping the UN climate...
- Heads of some of the most powerful and polluting economies are not attending
- Top priority at COP29 is boosting funding for climate action in developing countries
World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing raising concerns over global climate commitment
The small group of developed countries that currently contributes the money wants the donor pool expanded to include other rich...
- More than 75 leaders are expected in Baku over two days but the heads of some of the most powerful and polluting economies are not attending this year's summit
- Just a handful of leaders from the G20 -- which accounts for nearly 80 percent of planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions -- are expected in Azerbaijani capital
Geostrategy
Donald Trump ramps up transition moves with key appointments
President-elect Donald Trump is tapping loyalists for several key posts after signaling his desire to have his cabinet confirmed without...
- Trump has promised to carry out the "biggest deportation operation in the history of our country"
- New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik got the nod for UN ambassador, while Stephen Miller might serve as deputy chief of staff