Jolani vows to disband rebel factions, integrate fighters into Syria’s Defence Ministry for unity
Jolani emphasized unity in Syria, advocating a social contract among religions for justice, while urging diplomats to lift sanctions to...
US Federal Reserve expected to cut rates in last meeting of Biden era
Washington, United States -- The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce a quarter point cut to its key lending...
Business
Geostrategy
Blinken promotes Gulf Arab defence in sign to Israel and Iran
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Monday for tighter defence integration among Gulf Arabs in response to Iran, part...
- Blinken said the United States would hold defense talks in the coming weeks with the six-nation bloc
- Blinken: 'US-Saudi security pact for Israel normalization nears 'completion'.
Arts & Culture
Palestinian prisoner in Israel wins top fiction prize
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Palestinian writer Basim Khandaqji, jailed 20 years ago in Israel, won a prestigious prize for...
- The award of the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction was announced at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi
- The prize was accepted on Khandaqji's behalf by Rana Idriss, owner of Dar al-Adab, the book's Lebanon-based publisher
Geostrategy
Hamas says no ‘major’ issues, as Gaza truce effort builds
Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to mediate a new truce ever since a one-week halt to...
- A delegation from the Islamist movement will arrive in Egypt on Monday to deliver the group's response to Israel's counterproposal, a senior Hamas official told AFP
- Israel's government has come under intense pressure from global allies to reach a ceasefire in the war that humanitarians say has brought Gaza to the brink of famine
Business
Dubai begins construction of ‘world’s largest’ airport terminal
"We approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, and (are) commencing construction of the...
- Once fully operational, the airport will "handle a passenger capacity of 260 million annually", the government said in a statement.
- Sheikh Mohammed said it will have "the world's largest capacity" and be "five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport", one of the world's busiest air hubs.
Geostrategy
Blinken to Saudi as window shrinks on Middle East mega-deal
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Riyadh comes nearly seven months after the eruption of war in Gaza...
- The US State Department said that Blinken will discuss "a pathway to an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel."
- As fighting drags on and mediators struggle to lock in a truce, Saudi officials have reiterated their insistence on recognition of an independent Palestinian state
Geostrategy
Ship attacked by missiles off Yemen coast: UK agency
In the first attack "the vessel experienced an explosion in close proximity to the vessel which was felt by the...
- There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, which the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said took place southwest of the Yemeni port of Mokha.
- The latest incidents follow a lull in attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have launched dozens of missile and drone strikes targeting shipping since November
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia could get first Miss Universe contestant this year
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia could have its first Miss Universe contestant this year, organizers said this week, after a...
- Saudi model Rumy al-Qahtani said she was in "negotiations" about participation in Miss Universe but declined to provide further details.
- Qahtani told AFP she had previously participated in various pageants in the Middle East and Europe and posed with several sashes she said she obtained at the competitions.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to host top Arab, EU diplomats for Gaza talks: officials
The two-day World Economic Forum special meeting, scheduled to begin in Riyadh on Sunday, includes in its official program appearances...
- French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne is among European officials travelling to Riyadh during the summit for talks on Gaza.
- Saudi Arabia's neighbor Qatar hosts a Hamas political office and has served as a mediator in talks that have so far failed to secure a durable ceasefire.
Geostrategy
Ahead of feared Rafah invasion, Palestinians mourn bombardment dead
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said Israel's war cabinet was meeting Thursday "to discuss how to destroy the last battalions...
- Global concern has mounted over the looming operation against Hamas in Rafah, where much of Gaza's population has sought refuge from more than six months of war
- Israeli officials have for more than two months vowed to enter Rafah, near the Egyptian border, but even before any ground operation the area has been regularly bombed
Business
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
The deal involves sponsorship rights for multiple events including the 2026 Men's World Cup and the Women's World Cup the...
- The deal is the latest high-profile investment in global sports for Saudi Arabia who have already been confirmed as the only bid for the 2034 World Cup.
- In a joint statement it was confirmed Aramco would become FIFA's Major Worldwide Partner exclusive in the energy category.
Jolani vows to disband rebel factions, integrate fighters into Syria’s Defence Ministry for unity
Jolani emphasized unity in Syria, advocating a social contract among religions for justice, while urging diplomats to lift sanctions to...
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Is Musk’s million-dollar US voter lottery legal?
Donald Trump surrogate Elon Musk's offer of a million dollars to one registered voter in a swing state every day...
Geostrategy
Wealthy Israelis offer rewards for release of Gaza hostages
Jerusalem, Undefined - Frustrated with the dwindling prospect of reaching a ceasefire deal in the year-long Gaza war, some Israeli entrepreneurs...
Microsoft unveils autonomous AI agents for business tasks
San Francisco, United States - Microsoft on Monday said it was enhancing its AI offerings with new autonomous agent capabilities as...
Science
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Geostrategy
In escalation, Israel bombs Hezbollah-linked finance group
-Israel began bombing Lebanese branches of an association accused of financing the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, Lebanese state media reported late...
- 11 Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeted Al-Qard Al-Hassan.centers
- UNIFIL, said an Israeli "army bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position
Economy
China’s central bank cuts two key rates to boost economy
Beijing, China - China's central bank on Monday said it had cut two key interest rates to historic lows, in the...
- The cuts come just days after the country posted its slowest quarterly growth in a year and a half, underlining the deep economic woes the country faces
- Leaders are targeting annual growth of five percent this year, but that goal is being challenged by weak consumption and a prolonged and debilitating debt crisis
Geostrategy
Oil-rich Iraqi Kurdistan votes, shadowed by economic struggles
The KDP is the largest party in the outgoing parliament, with 45 seats against 21 for the PUK. The KDP's...
- Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in the turbulent Middle East, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and Europe
- However, activists and opposition figures contend that the region, autonomous since 1991, faces the same issues affecting Iraq as a whole: corruption, repression, and cronyism