Saudi Arabia’s next play: Capital to capability
FII 2025 marked Saudi Arabia’s shift from spectacle to scaffolding — pivoting from oil power to systemic force in energy,...
Geostrategy
Syria attracted $28 bn in investment since Assad’s fall: president
Syria has begun the mammoth task of trying to rebuild its shattered economy, after over a decade of war saw...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
European Union to increase Gaza humanitarian aid by $27mn
"By doing so the European Union will spend a total of 100 million euros in humanitarian aid for the civilians...
- The EU chief Von der Leyen, a staunch supporter of Israel, said it was essential the country "strives to avoid civilian casualties" in its operation in Gaza.
- Von der Leyen told diplomats that even as conflict rages, there needs to be a "perspective" for a two-state solution.
Infographics
10,000 deaths raise specter of genocide in Gaza
Some world leaders like Turkey's President Erdogan use the term genocide to describe Israeli actions in Gaza. Israel has also...
- The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has used the term "genocide" to describe Israeli actions in Gaza.
- Pronouncements of several Israeli politicians, who openly called for extermination of Palestinians, have added to the fears of a genocide in Gaza.
Geostrategy
Russia calls for collective action to end fighting between Israel, Hamas
Russia called for "collective action" to end fighting between Israel and Hamas, including an international conference, almost a month into...
- Russia maintains ties with both Hamas and Israel and has said it can mediate the conflict.
- Russia supports calls for collective action to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East and that it was in favour of a “multilateral approach” in regulating the conflict.
Business
Over 60% of employment lost in Gaza since start of current conflict
Beirut, Lebanon -- At least 61 per cent of employment, equivalent to 182,000 jobs, has been lost in the Gaza...
- The total estimated 390,000 job losses in the two areas that comprise the Occupied Palestinian Territory translate into daily labor income losses of $16 million.
- Gazans have long grappled with persistently high rates of poverty, vulnerability and one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, which stood at 46.4 per cent in Q2.
Business
Saudi Arabia launches second phase of Visiting Investor Visa
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom’s ministry of investment and ministry of foreign affairs launched the second phase of issuing...
- This service is offered to foreign investors as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to boost investment, consistent with Saudi Vision 2030.
- The booking platform is affiliated with the Ministry of Investment “Invest Saudi,” through which the application will be processed.
Interview
Diversification remains crucial for oil-rich nations
Combating climate change demands global collaboration and collective action, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira tells TRENDS in...
- Combating climate change demands global collaboration and collective action, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira tells TRENDS in an interview
- She highlights the need for a global sustainability approach, emphasizing localized transitions, inclusivity, and the urgency of shifting to sustainable development
Geostrategy
US encouraging Israel to kill and carry out cruel acts against Palestinians: Raisi
Tehran, Iran--Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday accused the United States of "encouraging" Israel to kill and carry out "cruel...
- Raisi said crimes carried out by Israel against Palestinians are a genocide with the support of the United States and certain European countries
- The Islamic republic financially and militarily backs Hamas but insists it had no involvement in the Palestinian Islamist group's attacks on Israel
Geostrategy
Heads of UN agencies urge Gaza ceasefire in rare joint statement
The heads of 18 organizations including UNICEF, the World Food Program and the World Health Organization described the horrific toll...
- In Gaza, the UN statement said, "an entire population is besieged and under attack, denied access to the essentials for survival"
- The UN leaders said more food, water, medicine and fuel must be allowed into Gaza to help its besieged population
Geostrategy
In Ankara, Blinken tries to soothe strategic ally Turkey’s anger
Blinken's first visit since Israel went to war with Hamas in reprisal for the militants' October 7 attack comes with...
- Blinken's visit to Turkey comes amid fury at both Israel and the West boiling over on the streets of Turkey and in the palace of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
- Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of protesters who marched on an air base housing US forces in Turkey's southeast
Geostrategy
UAE and China urge UN Security Council meeting on Gaza
Dubai, UAE-- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China have called for a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council...
- The security council will likely discuss, in particular, the strikes on the Palestinian refugee camp Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip and a convoy of ambulances
- According to Chinese Foreign Minister, the country will continue to push the UN to fulfill its responsibilities and adopt resolutions to help alleviate the ongoing Gaza crisis
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Saudi Arabia’s next play: Capital to capability
FII 2025 marked Saudi Arabia’s shift from spectacle to scaffolding — pivoting from oil power to systemic force in energy,...
Geostrategy
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Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to make rare West Bank visit
Prince Faisal will head a delegation to Ramallah, the first such trip since Israel first occupied the Palestinian territory in...
Geostrategy
No permit, no hajj: Saudi intensifies crackdown after heat deaths
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's hajj pilgrimage, a...
Geostrategy
UAE orders all companies to monitor emissions in new climate law
Under the new law, companies are required to report and reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gases that are responsible...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Islamic State claims first attack on new Syria forces since Assad fall: monitors
The Islamic State (IS) group on Thursday claimed its first attack on Syria's new government forces since the fall of...
- In a statement picked up by SITE Intelligence Group, IS said it had planted an "explosive device" on a Syrian forces' vehicle in the southern province of Sweida.
- Reported attacks by the group in areas controlled by the Islamist-led government, which took power after Assad's ouster in December, have been scarce
Interview
Generative AI’s most prominent skeptic doubles down
Vancouver, Canada -- Two and a half years since ChatGPT rocked the world, scientist and writer Gary Marcus still remains...
- Marcus's criticism centers on a fundamental belief: generative AI, the predictive technology that churns out seemingly human-level content, is too flawed to be transformative.
- The large language models (LLMs) that power these capabilities are inherently broken, he argues, and will never deliver on Silicon Valley's grand promises.
Geostrategy
With AI and more shade, Saudi Arabia set for a searing hajj
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than...
- Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities.
- This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks.