White House says $100,000 H-1B visa fee to be one-time payment
Washington, United States -- The White House issued a major clarification Saturday to its new H-1B visa policy that had...
Geostrategy
Macron risks Israeli backlash with Palestinian recognition, yet seizes historic chance to reshape Middle East diplomacy
France and the UK will be the first permanent UN Security Council members to recognise a Palestinian state and, along...
Geostrategy
Russia sending nuclear arms to Belarus, ratcheting up tensions with the West
"The transfer of nuclear munitions has begun," Lukashenko told reporters during a visit to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir...
- Lukashenko has allowed his territory, which borders Ukraine, EU and NATO members Poland and Lithuania, to serve as a staging ground for Russian invasion
- In March, Putin said he would station "tactical" nuclear weapons - in effect short-range atomic missiles - in Belarus, drawing condemnation from the West
Business
Brazilian group seeks trade, investment boost with UAE
Sharjah, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) organized the UAE-Sao Paulo Business Forum on Thursday, marking...
- During the forum, the two sides discussed joint efforts and investment opportunities available in both cities.
- The delegation comprised representatives from companies operating in agriculture, food, cosmetics, and furnishings sectors.
Economy
‘Partnerships with technology leaders help in Dubai’s digital transformation’
DUBAI, UAE - First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE Sheikh...
- Successful partnerships with leading industry players are a key enabler of Dubai’s digital transformation journey.
- The initiative seeks to advance Dubai’s strategic objective of becoming one of the world’s top urban economies.
Geostrategy
EU backs WTO deal banning harmful fisheries subsidies
Brussels, Belgium -- The European Union approved a historic agreement banning harmful fisheries subsidies on Thursday, joining a small group...
- Canada and the United Arab Emirates accepted the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement earlier this month, following the United States in April.
- The agreement bans subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, with a two-year exemption for developing countries within their exclusive economic zones.
Geostrategy
Cargo ship grounded for a short while in Egypt’s Suez Canal
ISMAILIA, EGYPT - A cargo ship ran aground on Thursday in Egypt's Suez Canal before it was quickly refloated without interrupting...
- Hong Kong-flagged Xin Hai Tong 23 bulk carrier was refloated after "a sudden malfunction of the machinery".
- The Suez Canal Authority said three tugboats and a marine rescue team were sent to refloat the vessel.
Geostrategy
Sudan refugees tread difficult path on way to safety in Egypt
Sudanese who cross into Egypt's south must then buy a bus ticket to take them to the nearest major city,...
- Cairo refuses to set up refugee camps for Sudanese and instead says the new arrivals are given the right to work and move freely
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has repeatedly said that his country is hosting "not war refugees" but "guests"
Geostrategy
Iran shows off new ballistic missile designed to carry 1,500 kg warhead
Tehran, Iran--Iran has displayed a new long-range missile capable of carrying 1,500 kg warhead with the capacity to hit targets...
- The ballistic missile designed by the country's Aerospace Organization is seen as one of the most advanced missiles with a range of 2,000 km
- Iran claims the missile has a liquid-fuel engine fitted in the fuel tank, which reduces the length of the missile to about 13 meters
Duchess of Edinburgh makes a rare visit to Iraq
The Iraqi presidency said the duchess delivered a written message from King Charles III -- who had himself visited Iraq...
- Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, spent two days in Baghdad, where she met President Abdul Latif Rashid and his wife Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, the Iraqi presidency said
- The duchess delivered a speech at a conference on women's rights organised by the British embassy in Baghdad, during which she met representatives of women's rights groups
Kuwait’s court upholds dissolution of 2022 parliament
Kuwait - Kuwait's Constitutional Court has upheld a previous ruling that declared the September 2022 parliamentary election void, in which...
- The court rejected an appeal against this decision filed by members of the 2022 parliament
- As a result of the court's decision, legislative elections are set to proceed on June 6
Economy
GCC secretary general exhorts boosting trade relations with UK
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The GCC has called for the strengthening of trade and investment relations with the United Kingdom amid the...
- The GCC secretary general made the remarks during a meeting with Kemi Badenoch, UK business secretary in Riyadh
- Albudaiwi and Badenoch reviewed joint preparations for holding the fourth round of negotiations to be held in London, in July
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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
White House says $100,000 H-1B visa fee to be one-time payment
Washington, United States -- The White House issued a major clarification Saturday to its new H-1B visa policy that had...
Geostrategy
Company News
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US envoy presses Israel-Hezbollah truce bid in Lebanon visit
Hochstein said an end to the war was "now within our grasp", while Hezbollah-allied parliament speaker Nabih Berri, said the...
Geostrategy
Iraqis face tough homecoming a decade after IS rampage
Hassan Shami, Iraq - A decade after Islamic State group extremists rampaged through northern Iraq, Moaz Fadhil and his eight children...
Geostrategy
US envoy in Beirut says ‘real opportunity’ to end Israel-Hezbollah war
US special envoy said he was in Beirut because he saw "real opportunity" to end the Israel-Hezbollah war
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
With Trump’s presidency, expect pro-Israel policies to replace Biden’s nuanced approach in Middle East relations
Trump’s return could shift US policy on Israel, with his Republican Party's pro-Israel stance and his preference for "America First"...
- Trump, unlike every other recent president, has never committed to a fully sovereign, independent Palestinian state
- He leads a Republican Party so pro-Israel that some local offices handed out Israeli flags alongside Trump yard-signs
HRW accuses Israel of ‘war crime’ with ‘forcible transfer’ in Gaza
Human Rights Watch said in a report released Thursday that Israel's repeated evacuation orders in Gaza amount to the "war...
- "Israel's actions appear to also meet the definition of ethnic cleansing"- HRW
- 1.9 million Palestinians were displaced in Gaza as of October 2024
Geostrategy
Nations far apart in COP29 climate finance talks
According to the latest draft of the long-sought climate finance pact, most developing countries favor an annual commitment from wealthy...
- A new agreement to boost money for climate action in developing countries is the top priority
- COP29 runs until November 22 but climate talks often run into overtime