New Gaza-bound flotilla sets off from Sicily, EU officials on board
A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to "break...
Geostrategy
Concluded days after Israeli strikes on Qatar, Pakistan-Saudi defence pact oozes with unknowns
The new mutual defence pact signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month surprised many and came just days after...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Turkish Foreign Minister, Blinken discuss NATO expansion, Black Sea grain initiative
Ankara,Turkey - Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan discussed, in a phone call on Wednesday with US Secretary of...
- Earlier last month, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called on Ankara to drop its opposition to Sweden's bid to join NATO, saying Stockholm has addressed Turkey's security concerns
- As for Black Sea grain deal, Russia has restated a demand for its state agricultural bank to be reconnected to the global SWIFT payments system to avert the collapse of the deal
Families of Israelis missing in Gaza seek UN, Red Cross help
Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin were killed during Israel's 2014 invasion of the Gaza Strip, and their remains...
- The Israeli authorities say both the missing citizens are mentally unstable, and both are presumed alive
- Various attempts to release them in exchange for Palestinian prisoners have failed in recent years
Geostrategy
MSF suspends ‘vital’ medical aid from Iraq’s Mosul
Mosul, Iraq -- Medical charity Doctors Without Borders announced Wednesday the suspension of "vital" medical activities in two hospitals in the...
- Doctors Without Borders blamed Iraq's bureaucracy of delaying the delivery of supplies to two health facilities.
- The group's activities are crucial for the major city in northern Iraq, where the healthcare sector is struggling to recover from years of war and neglect.
Geostrategy
All voices must be heard in transition, sustainability debates: OPEC
Secretary-General of OPEC Haitham Al Ghais, speaking at the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, reiterated the organization's keenness to...
- Ghaith said the concept of sustainability relates to how we fulfil the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.
- He asserted the importance of oil in the global energy mix and the industry's primary role in reducing carbon emissions.
Geostrategy
Israeli army calls off operation that killed 12 Palestinians in Jenin
The raid, Israel's biggest military operation in years in the West Bank, employed hundreds of troops as well as drone...
- The Israeli military launched the raid on the Jenin refugee camp early on Monday under the orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government
- Israeli military said its forces had dismantled six explosives manufacturing facilities and three operational situation rooms in Jenin, and confiscated large quantities of weapons
Violence in Israel, West Bank ‘must stop’: UN rights chief
"The recent operation in the occupied West Bank and car ramming attack in Tel Aviv worryingly underscore an all too...
- Turk said some of the methods and weapons used in the Jenin raid "are more generally associated with the conduct of hostilities in armed conflict, rather than law enforcement"
- Christian Lindmeier, spokesman for the UN's WHO, said that the destruction of infrastructure, including roads in Jenin, was restricting access for medical teams
Geostrategy
Iraqi president presses for closer trade and energy ties with Iran
Baghdad, Iraq-- Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid has emphasized the need for reinforcing partnership with Iran in the fields of...
- Iraq's president highlighted the importance of forging closer ties with Iran in a meeting with an Iranian delegation visiting Baghdad
- He applauded Iran for the restoration of ties with countries in the Middle East and the resumption of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia
Geostrategy
Libyan army commander warns of action over unequal oil revenue
Crude is the main revenue source for Libya, which has been torn by more than a decade of stop-start conflict,...
- Khalifa Haftar, military head of Libyan eastern command, said "a deadline at the end of August for this committee to complete its mission".
- Haftar said a committee must be established "to put in place financial arrangements with a view to fair management of public funds" and oil revenues
Geostrategy
France seeks answers as Macron declares riots ‘peak’ passed
At a meeting of more than 300 mayors, whose municipalities suffered damages, Macron said, "Is it a permanent return to...
- "I came to hear the president give us a vision, set a course. I didn't come for a group therapy session," complained Zartoshte Bakhtiari, mayor of Neuilly-sur-Marne east of Paris.
- "It pays to kill a young Arab," tweeted Manon Aubry, a European Parliament deputy, reacting to online collection of $1.5m for the policeman who shot dead Nahel M.
Geostrategy
Israeli assault: ICRC calls for protection of civilians in Jenin
Civilians and civilian objects must be respected and protected. The Israeli security forces must in particular ensure that the population...
- The spiral of violence seen in the first six months of 2023 has led to heightened tensions and a worrying deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the West Bank.
- UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the Israeli forces in the West Bank needed to abide by international human rights standards on the use of force.
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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
New Gaza-bound flotilla sets off from Sicily, EU officials on board
A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to "break...
Geostrategy
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Trump warns ‘all hell’ will break loose if Gaza hostages not returned after Hamas delays exchanges
The January 19 truce halted 15 months of Gaza fighting, freeing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but tensions...
Under US takeover plan, Palestinians will have no right of return to Gaza: Trump
Trump told Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier that "I would own it" and that there could be as many as...
Geostrategy
Egypt to host emergency Arab summit on Palestinians: foreign ministry
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt will host a summit of Arab nations on February 27 to discuss "the latest serious developments" concerning...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel to receive US-made bombs and Hellfire missiles worth $7.4 bn despite past curbs under Biden administration
The State Department has signed off on the sale of $6.75 billion in bombs, guidance kits and fuses, in addition...
- The proposed sale of the bombs "improves Israel's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serves as a deterrent to regional threats
- And the missile sale would "improve Israel's capability to meet current and future threats by improving the ability of the Israeli Air Force to defend Israel's borders
Geostrategy
Trump condemned for ICC sanctions over Israel, US probes
The United Nations and the European Union also urged Trump on Friday to reverse the decision ordering asset freezes and...
- The sanctions could impact the court's technical and IT operations, including evidence gathering. There are fears victims of alleged atrocities may hesitate to come forward.
- Antonio Costa, who heads the European Council representing the EU's 27 member states, wrote on X that the move "undermines the international criminal justice system".
World Economic Forum
Art and culture retain power to humanize the Intelligent Age, says WEF’s Fowler
Davos, Switzerland -- In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives, the World Economic Forum's Arts and Culture...
- I see talent emerging in the MENA region, UAE especially. Saudi Arabia is extremely exciting at the moment with the focus they're placing on culture, Fowler said.
- The UAE is extremely forward-thinking. They absolutely have a finger on the pulse when it comes to technology and how technology can be integrated into everyday life.