Israel returns 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza authorities
Under the deal pushed by US President Donald Trump and aimed at ending the two-year Gaza war, Israel was to...
Geostrategy
Trump hails ‘tremendous day for Middle East’ as leaders sign Gaza declaration
As part of Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, Hamas on Monday freed the last 20 surviving hostages it...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Iran reopens embassy in Saudi Arabia, confirming China-brokered detente
"We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi...
- The Iranian mission resumes in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter -- near Syria's embassy is also expected to reopen soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus.
- In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restart their respective embassies and work towards resuming ties, after Riyadh in 2016 broke off relations following Iranian protests.
Economy
World Bank lowers MENA’s growth forecast to 2.2 percent in 2023
DUBAI, UAE - The World Bank raised its global growth forecast for 2023 to 2.1 percent (in June 2023) from...
- The World Bank expects global growth to reach 2.4 percent in 2024, compared to 2.7 percent in January 2023.
- The possibility of widespread banking disruptions and tighter monetary policy may also lead to weaker global growth.
Geostrategy
Egypt, Israel vow cooperation after deadly border skirmish
Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said his government had sent a "clear message" to...
- President Sisi i received a telephone call from Netanyahu about Saturday's deadly violence on the normally calm border.
- Egypt has said the policeman crossed into Israel while chasing drug smugglers, leading to exchanges of fire with Israeli soldiers.
Geostrategy
UAE highlights efforts in space sector at UN committee meet
ABU DHABI, Â UAE - A high-level UAE delegation at the 66th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful...
- The UAE highlighted the significance of the peaceful use of outer space, acknowledging the right of all member states to develop their capabilities.
- The UAE also focused on the importance of international collaboration to ensure space technologies benefit humanity in times of disaster.
Geostrategy
Blinken on three-day Saudi Arabia visit to rebuild strained ties
Blinken's trip will also focus on efforts to end conflicts in Sudan and Yemen, the joint battle against the Islamic...
- Blinken, due to land in Jeddah in the evening, is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, before heading to Riyadh on Wednesday
- On the eve of his Saudi trip, Blinken reiterated that "the US has a real national security interest in promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia"
Geostrategy
Iran unveils hypersonic missile, says will boost country’s deterrence
Iran's Revolutionary Guards unveiled an intermediate range ballistic missile capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds of up to 15 times...
- Several top military commanders were present, including Guards chief General Hossein Salami.
- Like slower ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads.
Geostrategy
Obliterate global plastic pollution on urgent basis
“We must work as one – governments, firms and consumers alike – to break our addiction to plastics, champion zero...
- Over 400 million tons of plastic is produced worldwide every year, a third of which is used only once, says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
- 2,000 garbage trucks' worth of plastic is dumped into global bodies of water daily, while microplastics have permeated our food, water, and even the air
Geostrategy
Kuwait heads to polls yet again to break political deadlock
Polls opened on Tuesday in Kuwait's seventh general election in just over a decade, following repeated political crises that have...
- Amid a persistent impasse with the executive branch that has deterred investment, Kuwait's emir called the vote last month after he dissolved parliament
- Many human rights activisits felt that it was important to cast a ballot in spite of the widespread frustration with the political elite of the country
Geostrategy
Israeli soldiers to join Moroccan war games for first time
Israel participated in the event last year, however only as international military observers, without soldiers taking part on the ground....
- A delegation of 12 soldiers and commanders from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion" has been sent to participate alongside some 8,000 soldiers from 18 countries
- According to the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the war games include exercises in operational planning and fighting weapons of mass destruction
Geostrategy
Qatar minister to lead ILO’s yearly decision making event
Geneva, Switzerland - Qatar's labor minister was on Monday appointed without a vote to head the International Labour Organization's annual decision-making...
- Asian and Pacific nations, which according to a regional rotation had dibs this year on selecting the president of the two-week event, had proposed Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri.
- Qatar has long faced harsh criticism over labor rights, especially in the lead-up to last year's football World Cup.
Israel returns 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza authorities
Under the deal pushed by US President Donald Trump and aimed at ending the two-year Gaza war, Israel was to...
Geostrategy
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Israel orders negotiators to Doha after fifth hostage-captive swap completed under truce deal
Hamas official Bassem Naim warned that Israel’s "procrastination" in implementing the agreement could jeopardize the ceasefire, as negotiations began on...
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...
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...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
UAE, France discuss bilateral ties, sign AI cooperation deal
Paris, UAE - UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron of France explored various...
- Both sides emphasized collaboration in AI, climate action, energy, and sustainable development initiatives
- They signed the UAE-France Framework for Cooperation in AI, including a 1GW AI Campus investment
Israel orders army to prepare Gaza exodus plan as Trump rules out US troop deployment in the territory
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to prepare a plan for voluntary" departures from Gaza, saying Palestinians could...
- Trump proposes U.S. control of Gaza but rules out deploying American troops
- UN warns forced displacement of Palestinians would amount to ‘ethnic cleansing
World Economic Forum
UNFPA and corporate partners drive reproductive justice in workplaces
Mariarosa Cutillo, UNFPA Chief of the Private Sector and Civil Society Branch, says businesses need to provide adequate maternal health...
- UNFPA emphasizes that corporate strategies can empower vulnerable communities, particularly women, by driving positive change in workplaces, Cutillo said
- UNFPA's presence in 150 countries allows us to work with women and implement these targeted initiatives effectively, she added.