Iran Guards seize foreign-crewed oil tanker in Gulf: state media
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday seized an oil tanker in the Gulf carrying more than a dozen foreign crew members,...
Geostrategy
“New Suez Canal on rails”: Egypt high-speed trains to connect Red Sea, Mediterranean
Workers have started laying tracks in the desert east of Cairo for Egypt's first high-speed train, which will link the...
Economy
Geostrategy
Investments rise in data, AI, outpacing physical assets: UN
Geneva, Switzerland - The purchase of physical assets was eclipsed last year by a surge in investment in intangible items...
- Intangible investment across 27 high- and middle-income economies grew about three percent in real terms last year, reaching $7.6 trillion, up from $7.4 trillion a year earlier.
- In 2024, the United States led in absolute levels of intangible asset purchases, investing nearly double what runners-up France, Germany, Japan and Britain pumped into such assets.
Business
Nvidia tops $4 trillion as US stocks shrug off latest tariffs
After Congress gave Trump a big win last week with his fiscal package, the Republican's aggressive trade posture has returned...
- But stocks pushed higher nonetheless, with Nvidia jumping 2.5 percent to top $4 trillion in market capitalization on investor bullishness over Artificial Intelligence (AI) growth.
- Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare said investors are not "overly concerned" about Trump's latest tariff threats.
Arts & Culture
Syrian designer Rami Al Ali to make history at Paris Couture Week
Paris, France -- As well as being optimistic about the future of his war-ravaged country, Rami Al Ali has other...
- After studying in Damascus, Al Ali left for Dubai as a young man in search of opportunities in the fashion industry, working initially for two regional brands.
- He branched out on his own in 2001, building a regional fanbase for his eponymous brand from the United Arab Emirates before creating a following in Europe.
Geostrategy
Iran nuclear programme ‘very delayed’ by strikes: French intel chief
Iran's nuclear programme has been "very, very delayed" by US and Israeli strikes, France's foreign intelligence chief said on Tuesday,...
- US President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran's key nuclear facilities were "obliterated" in last month's air strikes, angrily bashing assessments to the contrary
- Asked how much the strikes had delayed Iran's nuclear programme, Nicolas Lerner, head of the DGSE French spy agency, said: "Undeniably various months, certainly."
Geostrategy
Trump holds fresh talks with Netanyahu to end Gaza ‘tragedy’
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time in 24 hours Tuesday as the US president intensified the...
- Netanyahu's return to the White House for fresh talks came after Qatari mediators warned it would take time to seal an elusive ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas at talks in Doha
- "It's a tragedy, and he wants to get it solved, and I want to get it solved, and I think the other side wants to," Trump said as he announced that Netanyahu was coming back
Geostrategy
Iran FM holds talks with Saudi Crown Prince after Tehran’s ceasefire with Israel
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country hoped the truce would contribute to regional stability, and emphasised Riyadh's position...
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country hoped the truce would contribute to regional stability
- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi "expressed his gratitude" to Riyadh for its condemnation of Israel's attacks on Iran last month
Economy
Almost half of Europe and Mediterranean basin hit by drought
Paris, France - Europe and the Mediterranean basin has been hit by a long-lasting drought covering over 45 percent of...
- It is the first time since data collection began in 2012 that such an extensive part of the region has been hit by a drought for more than three consecutive months
- A series of fires broke out in Turkey and Greece at the start of the summer, where on average 72 percent and 56 percent of soils have been dry since mid-March
Geostrategy
UN experts warn of torture risk as US deports migrants to third countries
Geneva, Switzerland -- UN experts decried Tuesday the US resumption of migrant deportations to third countries, including to war-torn South...
- The experts stressed that assessments of potential dangers faced by deportees "must be individual as well as country-specific".
- They highlighted that the United States had agreed to adhere to international obligations to prevent so-called refoulement, including under the Convention Against Torture.
Geostrategy
Trump says ‘no extensions’ to Aug 1 tariff deadline
While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 percent tariff on goods from almost all trading partners in April, higher rates customized...
- On Monday night, Trump had told reporters at a dinner that the August 1 deadline was "firm, but not 100 percent firm."
- Pressed on whether the letters were his final offer, Trump replied: "I would say final -- but if they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we'll do it."
Geostrategy
Five IDF soldiers killed, 14 injured in roadside bombing in Northern Gaza
Five Israeli soldiers were killed and 14 others injured late Monday night when a roadside bomb exploded during an ongoing...
- The incident occurred around 10 p.m. as infantry soldiers on foot patrol were hit by an explosive device planted along a road
- The attack took place during an operation led by the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade and the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade
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Iran Guards seize foreign-crewed oil tanker in Gulf: state media
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday seized an oil tanker in the Gulf carrying more than a dozen foreign crew members,...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Mamdani in touching distance of becoming NY mayor
New York, United States -- An unknown local lawmaker just a few months ago, leftist Zohran Mamdani has burst onto...
Geostrategy
US Fed will likely cut again despite economic murkiness from shutdown
The central bank's second-to-last rate meeting of the year is taking place against the backdrop of a weeks-long standoff between...
Economy
Iran declares major lender bankrupt
Iran declared one of the country's largest private banks bankrupt with its assets absorbed by the state, official media reported...
Economy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Afghanistan, Pakistan seek to firm up truce in Istanbul talks
Afghan and Pakistani negotiators were locked in talks to hammer out a lasting ceasefire Saturday, with Islamabad warning that if...
- Two weeks ago, the Taliban government launched a border offensive following explosions in Kabul which it blamed on its Pakistani neighbour
- Vowing a strong response, Islamabad then carried out "precision strikes" against armed groups on Afghan soil which are at the heart of the dispute
Arts & Culture
Picasso portrait of Dora Maar sells for $37 mn
The Spanish master painted it on July 11, 1943 and it was acquired in August 1944 by a private French...
- Entitled "Bust of a Woman With a Flowery Hat", the oil portrait of photographer, painter and poet Maar is a riot of colours and thick, black lines
- The Spanish master painted it on July 11, 1943 and it was acquired in August 1944 by a private French collector, grandfather of the former anonymous owners
Geostrategy
Trump heads for Asia and Xi trade talks
US President Donald Trump left on Friday for Asia and high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping -- adding...
- Trump is set to meet Xi in South Korea on the last day of his regional swing in a bid to seal a deal to end the bruising trade war between the world's two biggest economies
- He will also visit Malaysia and Japan on his first trip to Asia since he returned to the White House in January in a blaze of tariffs and international dealmaking