Trump’s envoy Witkoff holds talks in Israel on ceasefire as Gaza criticism mounts
Witkoff has been the top US representative in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas but the discussions broke down last...
Geostrategy
Trump hits India with 25% tariff and ‘penalty’ over Russia ties
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that imports from India will face 25 percent tariffs, while also announcing an unspecified...
Economy
Economy
EU to shore up Tunisia economy with US$100m grant
In order to shore up its economy battered by the Covid pandemic and political turmoil, the EU has signed off...
- Tunisia relies heavily on imported wheat and natural gas, whose prices have shot up since Russia's invasion of its neighbor in February
- The grant comes as Tunisia awaits a loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the EU said its aid money was "part of the approved reforms" to finalize the deal
Geostrategy
Russia under pressure as G20 tackles Ukraine war, soaring food prices
Eyeing a joint G20 declaration that would condemn Russia's eight-month-old invasion and threats to use nuclear weapons, US and European...
- There was a hint at growing Chinese unease with Russia's prosecution of the war when presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met late Monday
- Both men voiced opposition to the "use or threat of use" of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, according to a White House account of the meeting
Geostrategy
UAE won’t choose sides between global powers, says Anwar Gargash
The UAE is a key player in the 13-nation OPEC oil cartel which, with its 10 allies headed by Russia,...
- The comments by Anwar Gargash, a senior advisor to the UAE's president, come as Washington is at odds with Russia.
- The UAE, is not "dependent on just one or two countries for both our economic prosperity and our security", said Gargash.
Business
Jeff Bezos to donate most of $124 billion fortune to charity
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for the first time said he will give away most of his $124 billion fortune to...
- In a CNN interview released on Monday, Bezos said he and his partner Lauren Sanchez were "building the capacity to be able to give away this money."
- Asked whether he intended to donate most of his wealth within his lifetime, the 58-year-old Bezos said: "Yeah, I do."
Geostrategy
UN chief hopeful Russia will extend grain deal
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hoped Russia would extend the deal that gives safe passage to Ukrainian grain shipments. The...
- Russia has said it had yet to decide whether to extend the grain deal beyond November 19, the original date in the agreement.
- Both Ukraine and Russia are one of the world's top grain producers.
Geostrategy
UNHRC to host emergency session on Iran protests
The UN Human Rights Council said it would hold an urgent session on Iran, with backers pushing for a global...
- The United Nations' highest rights body said a special session on "the deteriorating human rights situation" in Iran would be held on November 24.
- The support of 16 of the Human Rights Council's 47 members, more than a third, is required to convene a special session outside the three regular ones
Geostrategy
UN probes allegations of Egypt ‘surveillance’ at COP27
SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - United Nations officers running security at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt said Monday they...
- Participants at COP27 - including activists, rights defenders, and civil society groups - have raised cases of "surveillance" during the summit.
- A German diplomatic source said a complaint was lodged with Egypt as the delegation "felt we were being watched."
Arts & Culture
Handshakes, coffee cups: Qatar etiquette essentials
Here are some of the cultural conventions football fans should know when visiting the emirate, which, like other Arab nations,...
- In public places, it is customary to stand up when greeting others, particularly the elderly, as a sign of respect.
- Guests must always drink with their right hand. The coffee keeps coming until you wave your cup to signal you have had your fill.
Geostrategy
China expects improvement in relations with US after Xi-Biden meet
Beijing, China— China said on Monday it hopes a meeting between President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Joe Biden ahead...
- Xi arrived in Bali on Monday afternoon on only his second overseas trip since the pandemic, after a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in September
- Biden earlier said he was hoping to set "guardrails" for relations between the world's two largest economies as they vie for international primacy
Business
Musk sees aliens, tunnels in a candlelit G20 vision of the future
The seemingly disembodied billionaire Twitter owner appeared by video link on Monday to address business leaders in Bali on the...
- Musk was asked why he had not travelled to Indonesia, the Twitter's new boss joked that his "workload has recently increased quite a lot" after the takeover
- He said he wants to see rocket platforms across the world that would allow people to travel "to the complete other side of the world" at 20 times the speed of sound
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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
Trump’s envoy Witkoff holds talks in Israel on ceasefire as Gaza criticism mounts
Witkoff has been the top US representative in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas but the discussions broke down last...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Israel, Hamas reject bid before ICC to arrest leaders for war crimes
Karim Khan said he was seeking warrants against Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes including "starvation", "willful...
Geostrategy
Iran media declares President Raisi dead, no official confirmation yet
"The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, had an accident while serving and performing his duty...
Geostrategy
Saudi king treated for lung infection: statement
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's King Salman has a lung infection and is undergoing a treatment programme involving antibiotics, the...
Most Read
Geostrategy
US envoy touts ‘potential’ of Israel-Saudi deal in Netanyahu talks
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says there is a potential of Israel-Saudi normalization deal if Netanyahu alters his political...
- An Israeli strike killed 31 people in central Gaza on Sunday, said the Palestinian territory's civil defense agency
- President Biden said Sunday he heard the voice of Gaza war protesters as some students turned their backs during his speech
Arts & Culture
Saudi fashionistas attempt beach rebrand
The setting for Red Sea Fashion Week, the St Regis Red Sea Resort on Ummahat Alshaikh island, is part of...
- Beach developments are seen as major potential attractions, and Red Sea Fashion Week was partly intended to highlight what is already in place.
- Officials involved in Red Sea Global stress they are making progress, opening two resorts last year and preparing to launch 14 more hotels by the end of next year.
Geostrategy
Prayers and concern in Iran as President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter remains missing
Search and rescue teams are looking for the crash site in the remote mountain area, says Iranian state media, adding...
- The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site.
- Iranian president's convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely.