Hamas agrees partial hostage release in ‘difficult’ truce talks after Qatar-brokered indirect talks
The group's statement came after four days of indirect talks brokered by Qatar and as the United States signalled its...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
For some Iraqi Kurds, Europe is a destination well worth the risk
Iraqi Kurd Haresh Talib says he struggles to get paid and his children's schooling is disrupted in his conflict-riddled country,...
- In November, at least 27 migrants, most of them Iraqi Kurds, drowned in attempt to cross English Channel from France to Britain
- Two out of three households in Iraqi Kurdistan rely on a government salary or pension, but payments are chronically late
Geostrategy
ICRC sets up office in Abu Dhabi to ‘strengthen cooperation’
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has set up an office in Abu Dhabi in order to 'strengthen...
- The agreement was signed by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and by Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC
- Al Hashemy emphasized that the UAE is always looking for ways to strengthen the values of partnership and cooperation with international organizations
Geostrategy
Putin to travel to Tehran for Raisi-Erdogan summit on July 19: Kremlin
Russia, Turkey and Iran have in recent years been holding talks on Syria as part of the so-called "Astana peace...
- The Kremlin said Putin will also hold separate talks with Erdogan in Tehran, without providing more details.
- The Turkish leader has been offering to meet Putin for months, as Ankara tries to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
Geostrategy
Iran slams US for ‘contradictory’ policy on nuclear deal
Tehran hit out Tuesday at what it called Washington's "contradictory" policies, after President Joe Biden vowed to pile pressure on...
- In an opinion piece for the Washington Post ahead of his visit this week to Israel and Saudi Arabia, Biden pointed to the "rapid acceleration" of Iran's nuclear program
- Iran on Tuesday blasted the Biden administration for what it said was an inconsistent approach on the nuclear issue
Economy
EU braces for migrants spurred by food crisis
The EU must brace for new waves of migrants forced to uproot because of the food crisis aggravated by the...
- Around 20 million tons of grain from last year's harvest are blocked in Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea
- The situation has sent prices for certain foods and cooking oils soaring on world markets, with parts of Africa and the Middle East bearing the brunt
Business
Twitter’s stock tanks as Musk trashes lawsuit threat
Twitter shares plunged Monday as Elon Musk issued a mocking, defiant commentary about a looming court battle after he ditched a...
- Musk took to Twitter late Sunday night to troll the company after it said it would sue to enforce the deal
- Musk on Friday pulled the plug on the deal, accusing Twitter of "misleading" statements about the number of fake accounts
Geostrategy
UN extends cross-border Syria aid program by six months
The UN Security Council has agreed to extend a vital system for cross-border aid to war-ravaged Syria by six months,...
- Bab al-Hawa crossing is the only way UN assistance can reach civilians without navigating areas controlled by Syrian government forces
- Syrian ally Russia on Friday vetoed a Security Council resolution that would have prolonged the mechanism by one year
Arts & Culture
Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi arrested
Award-winning dissident Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi was arrested Monday, the third director to be detained in less than a week, the...
- Panahi, 62, has won a slew of awards at international festivals for films that have critiqued modern Iran, including the top prize in Berlin for "Taxi" in 2015
- Cannes film festival organizers, in a statement Monday, said they "strongly condemn the (directors') arrests as well as the wave of repression evidently under way in Iran
Economy
US to nudge Israel into making concessions to Palestinians
Ahead of Joe Biden's first visit to Jerusalem as US president, Washington's ambassador said his team will "pound tables" to...
- Biden's first Middle East tour since entering the White House last year begins in Israel on Wednesday, and he is expected to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas
- US-Palestinian ties have improved under Biden, after hitting an all-time low under his predecessor Donald Trump, a staunch backer of the Israelis
Geostrategy
Biden seeks to persuade Saudi Arabia to pump more oil as prices soar
Saudi Arabia's oil-driven economy expanded by 9.6 percent in the first quarter, its strongest growth rate in a decade.
- Saudi Arabia's oil-driven economy expanded by 9.6 percent in the first quarter, its strongest growth rate in a decade
- Last month, OPEC+ stuck to a previously agreed output hike, shrugging off calls for bigger increases to tame elevated prices
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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
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Gaza strike kills 36 relatives in first Friday of Ramadan
Palestinian Territories - Displaced by Israeli bombardment, the Tabatibi family gathered in central Gaza to eat together during the first...
Geostrategy
Fatah rejects Hamas criticism of new prime minister’s appointment
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party hit back at criticism by Hamas and other factions over his...
Geostrategy
Massive fire destroys prestigious Arab film studio in Egypt
CAIRO, EGYPT – A major fire here destroyed one of the Arab world's most prestigious and oldest film production houses, founded...
Geostrategy
Most Read
ExxonMobil makes new oil discovery
The oil and gas strike is the first of 2024.
- The oil and gas strike, the first of 2024, was in the Stabroek block, the company said Friday
- Drillers "encountered approximately 197 feet (60 meters) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone," Exxon said
Netanyahu okays plan for operation in Gaza’s packed Rafah
Netanyahu "approved the plans for action in Rafah," his office said in a statement, without giving details or a timeline....
- The statement from Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the military was "prepared for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population."
- Biden, who has supported Israel during the war, has said an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a "red line" without credible civilian protection plans in place
US sanctions network smuggling American tech to Iran’s central bank
US Treasury sanctioned a number of alleged ISC subsidiaries and front companies based in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates,...
- The sanctions relate to Informatics Services Corporation (ISC), the technology arm of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), the Treasury Department said in a statement
- Treasury's move freezes any US assets associated with the sanctioned individuals and entities, and generally prohibits Americans from doing business with them