Israel threatens to resume fighting if Hamas does not respect Gaza ceasefire deal
The statement from Defence Minister Israel Katz's office came after Hamas handed over the remains of two more deceased hostages,...
Geostrategy
WEF’s Dubai Summit tackles existential digital risks
DUBAI, UAE – A powerful confluence of more than 500 experts and 150 cybersecurity leaders has converged in Dubai for...
Business
Geostrategy
GCC, US vow to work jointly for regional stability
The strategic partnerships between the two sides seek to focus on peace, security, stability, integration, and economic prosperity in the...
- The strategic partnerships between the two sides aim at focusing mainly on peace, security, stability, integration, and economic prosperity in the Middle East.
- Beside supporting Yemeni peace efforts and humanitarian needs, the US and GCC also make a commitment to freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Gulf region.
Economy
Eurozone in recession after two successive quarters of shrinking GDP
The eurozone entered into a technical recession at the start of the year, shrinking by 0.1 percent for a second...
- The worse-than-expected figures come as inflation and higher interest rates have curbed demand in Europe's largest economy.
- Two consecutive quarters of shrinking gross domestic product is the threshold for a technical recession.
Geostrategy
US remains invested in Gulf partnerships, Blinken tells diplomats
Blinken spoke during a Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting in the capital Riyadh following talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince...
- The meetings came a day after Blinken flew into Jeddah, kickstarting a visit aimed at boosting ties with Saudi Arabia, which has begun forging closer ties with Washington's rivals.
- "The GCC is the core of our vision for a Middle East that is more stable, more secure, more prosperous," Blinken said at the opening of the US-GCC ministerial meeting.
Geostrategy
Ruling Fatah party faces decline in West Bank, says official
His comments were a rare acknowledgement by a senior Abbas ally of waning fortunes for the party which has dominated...
- "I can tell you there is something of a decline in Fatah's presence among the masses," Mahmud Aloul, official of President Mahmud Abbas' Fatah party said.
- At 72, Aloul is one of the most senior figures in the Palestinian movement and is often mentioned as a possible successor to 87-year-old Abbas.
Arts & Culture
AI meets VR to keep Holocaust memory alive
Through AI, users of a VR headset can have a "conversation" with Holocaust survivor Inge Auerbacher, asking about her encounters...
- The project is a collaboration between Los Angeles-based company StoryFile, the World Jewish Congress and Facebook-owner Meta,
- StoryFile co-founder Stephen Smith, who has worked in Holocaust education, said the technology allows users to "talk to history through the people who went through it".
Geostrategy
Iran’s emerging pivot to Russia and China is for strategic leverage: study
Dubai, UAE - Iran’s pivot to Russia and China has been driven by various factors, most notably the United States'...
- The decision by the Trump administration to abandon the nuclear deal deeply disillusioned the Iranian leadership
- Iran's incremental moves toward China and Russia is said to indicate an unwillingness to redefine its national security doctrine
Geostrategy
Blinken meets Saudi Crown Prince in fresh bid to mend ties
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah,...
- The Secretary expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia in hosting the D-ISIS Ministerial and stressed our joint efforts to fight terrorism, US State Department said
- Crown Prince and Blinken reviewed the bilateral relations and aspects of cooperation in various fields and ways to enhance them, Saudi Press Agency said
Geostrategy
Kuwait elects new parliament dominated by opposition
Lawmakers from opposition won 29 of the 50 seats up for grabs in the election, according to results announced by...
- According to the Kuwait Transparency Society, an NGO, turnout touched 50 percent one hour before polls closed, which is lower than last year's voter turnout of 63 percent
- Janan Bushehri. the only female member to be elected in the new parliament, said that she expected it to seek stability and make progress on economic or political issues
Geostrategy
China firms under sanction by US for assisting Iran missile program
WASHINGTON, US- The United States placed sanctions on Tuesday on several Chinese and Hong Kong firms it said were supplying Iran's...
- The US Treasury said the Chinese companies shipped centrifuges for producing fuels, non-ferrous metals with potential military use.
- Washington is concerned that Iran plans to develop nuclear weapons that could be loaded on ballistic missiles to menace Israel.
Geostrategy
Italian PM says making efforts for Tunisia IMF bailout
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome backed efforts to secure an IMF bailout for Tunisia and support to tackle...
- The IMF has called for legislation to restructure over 100 state-owned firms, which hold monopolies over many parts of the economy.
- Tunisia is struggling under crippling inflation and debt estimated at around 80 percent of its gross domestic product.
Israel threatens to resume fighting if Hamas does not respect Gaza ceasefire deal
The statement from Defence Minister Israel Katz's office came after Hamas handed over the remains of two more deceased hostages,...
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.