Saudi prince, eyeing defense pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer...
Geostrategy
Sharaa’s US visit: Syria joins alliance against Islamic State after White House talks
Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year, was the first Syrian leader to visit the...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia launches new TV channel to highlight ‘rapid progress’
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has launched a new TV channel called Saudia Alaan (Saudi Now) to highlight...
- The channel will showcase the kingdom’s “rapid progress” towards the Saudi Vision 2030 and its recent advancements, which are reflected in the diverse events
- The airing of the channel comes at a time when the kingdom is witnessing a significant increase in the number of events, exhibitions, and conferences
Business
Growing IT outlays intensify MENA’s transformation
The region's IT spending is set to rise by 4% to $183.8 billion in 2024, with software and IT services...
- The region's IT spending is projected to rise by 4% to $183.8 billion in 2024, with software and IT services witnessing double-digit growth
- This surge aligns with the MENA region's push for digital transformation, enhanced cybersecurity, and a focus on generative AI initiatives
Business
Central Bank of Bahrain treasury bills oversubscribed by 149 percent
MANAMA, BAHRAIN - This week’s BD 70 million (US$186 issue of Government Treasury Bills has been oversubscribed by 149 percent....
- The bills, carrying a maturity of 91 days, are issued by the CBB, on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- The issue date of these bills is September 27 2023 and the maturity date is December 27 2023.
Geostrategy
Libya orders arrest of 8 officials in flood disaster probe: Prosecutor
The officials are suspected of "bad management" and negligence, among other offences, a statement from the prosecutor general's office said,...
- Derna's mayor Abdulmonem al-Ghaithi, sacked after the flood, is among the detainees. Almost 3,900 people died in the disaster.
- After opening a probe, Libya's prosecutor general Al-Seddik al-Sur said more than a week ago that the two dams upstream from Derna had been cracked since 1998.
Geostrategy
Egypt to elect President in three-day election from Dec 10
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief, has ruled for nearly a decade in the Arab world's most populous...
- Presidential hopefuls can apply from October, and the list of candidates is to be finalized by November 9, said the Egypt's National Election Authority
- The vote comes at a time Egypt's currency has lost half its value since March 2022 and inflation reached an all-time high of 39.7 percent in August
Geostrategy
Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in West Bank raid: ministry
Violence has surged in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since early last year, particularly in the West Bank where eight Palestinians have...
- The army said one of its soldiers was "moderately injured by gunshot fragments" during clashes in Nur Shams refugee camp near the town of Tulkarem
- Separately on Sunday, the army said it carried out new drone strikes on the Gaza Strip targeting "two military posts" of the Islamist group Hamas
Geostrategy
Sicilian Mafia boss Messina Denaro dies in hospital
Messina Denaro was one of the most ruthless bosses in Cosa Nostra, the real-life Sicilian crime syndicate depicted in the...
- The 61-year-old had been treated for colon cancer while detained in a high-security jail in L'Aquila, but was moved last month to hospital after his condition deteriorated
- L'Aquila Mayor Pierluigi Biondi confirmed the mobster's death in hospital "following a worsening of his illness" in a statement to the ANSA news agency
Geostrategy
Iran does not intend to build nuclear weapons: Raisi
Defending his country's enrichment of uranium to 60 percent purity level, noting that it was a response to European states...
- In 2021, Iran began to enrich uranium to 60 percent in the wake of an attack on its nuclear facility in Natanz
- The president said the US-brokered effort to normalize Israeli relations with Gulf States will not succeed
Economy
Jordan, Egypt and Iraq pledge to boost ties in economic and political fields
New York, US-- Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt have pledged to cement the partnership between themselves in order to boost cooperation...
- The foreign ministers of the three countries met in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York
- They reaffirmed the importance of completing the projects and taking the new initiatives in the fields of electrical connections, renewable energy, communications, trade
Geostrategy
Malaysia attracts more Arab students and travelers
Malaysia is attracting Arab students and travelers with its top-notch education facilities, affordable living, and a reputation as a leading...
- Malaysia is attracting Arab students and travelers with its top-notch education facilities, affordable living, and a reputation as a leading Muslim travel destination
- In 2021, Malaysia attracted 3,400 students from five Arab nations, meeting its 2022 goal of 50,000 international students on the back of its high-quality curriculum
Saudi prince, eyeing defense pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer...
Geostrategy
Company News
Trump wins White House in stunning comeback
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Trump heads to the Gulf eyeing deals amid diplomatic offensive
In the days before the trip, the White House has played an instrumental part in hammering out a ceasefire between...
Geostrategy
Iraq: PKK decision to disband boosts regional stability
Iraq welcomed Monday the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) decision to disband and end its armed struggle against Turkey, saying it...
Geostrategy
Israel’s West Bank land registration serves ‘annexation’: NGO
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories - An Israeli rights group denounced Monday a government decision to launch extensive land registration for parts...
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Geostrategy
Trump hails Air Force One ‘gift’ from Qatar
Calling the plane a "flying palace," ABC News, which first reported the story, said the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted...
- Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted from the Qatari royal family would possibly be the most expensive gift ever received by the American government
- The controversy around the jet builds on questions the US leader is facing over potential conflicts of interest with his family businesses and use of public office
Geostrategy
Hamas to release hostage as part of direct talks with US
In a joint statement Egypt and Qatar, who along with the US have mediated talks between Hamas and Israel, also...
- US President Donald Trump hailed the "monumental news" in a post on social media, describing it as a "good faith gesture."
- Earlier, two Hamas officials told AFP that talks were ongoing in the Qatari capital of Doha with the United States and reported "progress" had been made
Geostrategy
India, Pakistan ceasefire holds after early violations
Poonch, India - A ceasefire appeared to hold on Sunday between India and Pakistan, hours after the nuclear-armed rivals accused...
- The ceasefire was agreed on Saturday after four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks which killed at least 60 people
- The "full and immediate" halt to hostilities was unexpectedly announced by US President Donald Trump on social media