Battle of the Tech Hubs
The GCC is competing to build world-class technology hubs, investing heavily in AI, infrastructure, and sovereign capital to drive digital...
Economy
Iran says US talks in Oman a ‘good beginning’ as fears of military confrontation grow
The discussions took place in Muscat, with the US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and the Iranian side...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Iran to meet Britain, France and Germany on its nuclear programme as snapback sanctions loom
The move would reimpose sweeping UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 agreement unless Iran agrees to curb its uranium enrichment...
- The Islamic republic suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in July in the wake of its 12-day war with Israel
- The European trio -- parties to the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal -- have threatened to trigger a "snapback mechanism" by the end of August
Geostrategy
ATP and Saudi Arabia’s PIF launch new tennis tech platform
NEW YORK and RIYADH — The ATP Tour, in a landmark partnership with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has unveiled...
- Next-generation analytics platform set to revolutionize player performance and level the playing field across all levels of the sport.
- Groundbreaking partnership with PIF accelerates the development and scale of ATP Tennis IQ, ushering in a new era of data-driven excellence.
Geostrategy
United Nations declares famine in Gaza, first ever in Middle East
Tom Fletcher, the UN's emergency relief coordinator, blamed Israel, accusing it of "systematic obstruction" of aid deliveries to the war-ravaged...
- The assessment of famine was made by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a coalition of monitors tasked by the UN to warn of impending crises.
- It defines famine as occurring when 20 percent of households have an extreme lack of food; 30 percent of children under five are acutely malnourished.
Geostrategy
21 countries sign joint statement condemning Israel’s West Bank settlement project
Israel has approved the plans for the roughly 12-square-kilometre parcel of land known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, which...
- "We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms," said the statement of foreign ministers.
- All of Israel's settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law.
Geostrategy
US senators push for improved press access in Gaza
Washington, United States - A group of 17 US Senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday...
- The letter to Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel, said: "We urge you to press the Israeli government to protect journalists in Gaza and allow global media to the territory."
- Last week, an Israeli strike killed four journalists for Al Jazeera, including Qatari television correspondent Anas al-Sharif, as well as two freelance journalists
Geostrategy
Trump raises pressure on central bank, calls for Fed governor to resign
Washington, United States -- President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on the US central bank Wednesday, calling for Federal Reserve...
- The Trump administration has pursued allegations of mortgage fraud against high-profile Democrats who are seen as political adversaries of the president.
- It was not immediately clear if such a probe will take place targeting Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the central bank's board.
Geostrategy
Antarctic climate shifts threaten ‘catastrophic’ impacts globally
Paris, France -- Abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in Antarctica driven by climate change could lift global oceans by meters...
- After increasing slightly during the first 35 years that satellite data was available, Antarctic sea ice cover plunged dramatically over the last decade.
- Since 2014, sea ice has retreated on average 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the continent's shoreline.
Geostrategy
Israel approves major West Bank settlement project, sparks international outcry
Israel has long had ambitions to build on the roughly 12-square-kilometre parcel known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, but...
- Critics say the settlement would effectively cut the West Bank in two, undermining hopes for a contiguous Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
- UN chief Antonio Guterres warned last week that constructing Israeli homes in the E1 area would "put an end to" hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Geostrategy
Syrian, Israeli diplomats met in Paris to discuss ‘de-escalation’: report
Syria's foreign minister met with an Israeli diplomatic delegation in Paris on Tuesday to discuss "de-escalation and non-interference in Syria’s...
- Washington has been at work in recent weeks to try to resolve security issues in Syria and Lebanon, which its ally Israel says have prompted it to take military action
- Despite a truce reached last November, Israel has continued to hit targets of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon, and it has occupied territory and hit targets in Syriay
Geostrategy
Indian PM Modi to visit China, security chief says
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China later in August, his security chief said on Tuesday during talks with...
- Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit opening on August 31 in Tianjin, his first visit to China since 2018, Ajit Doval said in public comments
- "History and reality prove once again that a healthy and stable China-India relationship serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both of our countries," Wang added
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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
Battle of the Tech Hubs
The GCC is competing to build world-class technology hubs, investing heavily in AI, infrastructure, and sovereign capital to drive digital...
Economy
Company News
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Trump says US freeze on asylum decisions will last ‘a long time’
US President Donald Trump said Sunday his administration intends to maintain a pause on asylum decisions for "a long time"...
Geostrategy
Trump optimistic after Ukraine talks as Rubio says ‘more work’ needed to end war
US President Donald Trump said Sunday there was a "good chance" of a deal to end the war in Ukraine...
Geostrategy
The tiring task of repairing Gaza’s tattered banknotes
Nuseirat, Palestinian Territories - With a pot of glue, a blade and a keen eye, Manal al-Saadani repairs tattered banknotes...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Negotiations under way on Hamas fighters trapped in Gaza tunnels: sources close to talks
An Israeli government spokesperson told AFP earlier this month that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is not allowing safe passage for...
- Israeli media has reported that for weeks that between 100 and 200 Hamas militants have remained trapped in a network of tunnels under the city of Rafah
- A prominent Hamas member in Gaza told AFP that the group estimated their number to be between 60 and 80, and said they were "under siege" but would not surrender
Geostrategy
Trump says Afghan man shot two soldiers near White House
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that an Afghan man who fled the Taliban was the suspect in the shooting of...
- The announcement in a brief video message signaled the intertwining of three politically explosive issues -– Trump's use of the military at home, and the legacy of Afghan war
- The incident, which left two Guard members critically wounded, was "an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror," Trump said. "It was a crime against our entire nation."
Geostrategy
Israel launches major West Bank operation, raiding Tubas towns amid escalating violence
The Israeli military said the operation began with air strikes to isolate the area, which were followed by "searches" on...
- The operation, which began overnight, was taking place in predominantly agricultural Tubas, the northeasternmost of the 11 governorates in the West Bank
- Ahmed al-Asaad, governor of the Tubas region, told AFP: "This is the first time that the entire governorate is included -- the whole governorate is now under Israeli army operation