Landmark shift: Britain to recognize Palestinian state today
The United Kingdom has historically been a staunch supporter of Israel but has shifted position as Israel has intensified the...
Geostrategy
Trump speaks with Xi, sees progress on TikTok, says will visit China early next year
US President Donald Trump hailed Friday what he called progress with Chinese President Xi Jinping including on selling blockbuster app...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia, Canada to restore full diplomatic ties following 2018 rift
On Wednesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the two countries will "appoint new ambassadors". A Canadian foreign ministry statement named...
- The decision of restoring diplomatic ties came after talks last year between Saudi Crown Prince and Canadian PM on the sidelines of the summit of APEC Forum in Bangkok
- The reconciliation was based on "the desire for both sides to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and common interests."
Geostrategy
Three days before election, Russia hopes for Erdogan’s win
In a world where Turkey and Russia are both sceptical of Western military, political and economic dominance, Putin and Erdogan...
- The winner in Turkey will have leverage over key areas for Moscow, such as Russia's large-scale military campaign in Ukraine, the war in Syria and the Kremlin's standoff with NATO
- For the Kremlin, Erdogan is a known quantity who has collaborated closely with Putin over the past 20 years, while Kilicdaroglu has recently blamed Moscow for meddling in the vote
Geostrategy
Iran appoints envoy to Saudi Arabia after seven years
The new envoy, Alireza Enayati, previously served as Iran's ambassador to Kuwait, assistant to the foreign minister and director general...
- Saudi Arabia and Iran, after years of discord, signed a surprise reconciliation agreement in China on March 10.
- Saudi Arabia had severed relations with Iran in 2016, after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the second city of Mashhad were attacked.
Geostrategy
Oman’s Sultan to visit Iran on President Ebrahim’s invitation
Oman has close ties with Iran and played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington in the build-up to a...
- The visit which will kick off on Sunday follows a Chinese-brokered rapprochement deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in March.
- The visit comes a year after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Muscat -- a trip that saw the two countries sign a string of trade deals.
Geostrategy
Libya watchers see signs of progress toward reconciliation
The discord in one of the two rival governments, based in the east and backed by Khalifa Haftar, where the...
- The political rupture in the east has reversed the fortunes of Bashagha, who a year ago launched an attack on Tripoli that was repelled after a day of deadly street fighting.
- Tripoli-based interim PM Abdulhamid Dbeibah has used the "paralysis of the eastern government to consolidate his grip on political and economic life in Libya", said an analyst.
Economy
China scammer uses AI to pose as man’s friend, steal millions
The victim, surnamed Guo, received a video call last month from a person who looked and sounded like a close...
- Guo was persuaded to transfer $609,000 after the fraudster claimed another friend needed the money to come from a company bank account to pay the guarantee on a public tender
- Realising his mistake after messaging the friend whose identity was stolen, Guo alerted police who notified a bank to stop trasaction and he managed to recover his 3.4 million yuan
Geostrategy
Israel passes budget with controversial cash for ultra-Orthodox
The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent recent weeks cutting deals with his ultra-Orthodox and extreme-right coalition partners, to meet a...
- Thousands of Israelis marched through Jerusalem on Tuesday to protest the government's plans to hand more cash to the ultra-Orthodox minority
- The 2023-2024 budget of Israel was ultimately passed early Wednesday with the support of all 64 coalition lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament
Geostrategy
Sporadic shelling as combat eases after Sudan ceasefire
Sporadic artillery fire still echoed in Sudan's capital, but residents said fighting had calmed following a US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire,...
- The battles since April 15 have killed an estimated 1,000 people, sparked mass evacuations of foreigners and forced over a million people to flee their homes.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a video message that the truce is "backed by a remote monitoring mechanism" supported by the US.
Business
Gazprom 2022 profit at US$15bn
With Europe off limits, Gazprom has turned toward Asia.
- Gazprom said, "Profit margins were impacted by an increase in tax payments in the second half of the year."
- Western sanctions have heavily impacted the company headed by Alexei Miller, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.
Geostrategy
UK Business Secretary to visit Gulf countries to boost trade ties
LONDON, UK - British Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch will hold talks for a modern, comprehensive trade deal as...
- British Business and Trade Secretary said, "We already have a strong trade and investment relationship with the Gulf nations."
- She said, "The GCC represents an enormous opportunity for UK firms, whether it’s selling brilliant British food and drink products."
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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
Landmark shift: Britain to recognize Palestinian state today
The United Kingdom has historically been a staunch supporter of Israel but has shifted position as Israel has intensified the...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Israel escalates bombing in Lebanon as Hezbollah fires projectiles; UN warns of Gaza famine
Israel escalated strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut and Tyre, targeting strongholds, while Hezbollah launched retaliatory attacks on Haifa, hitting a...
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"...
Geostrategy
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...
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Geostrategy
UN nuclear chief heads to Iran for crucial talks
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi is set to visit Tehran on Wednesday for crucial talks on Iran's nuclear...
- Israel has warned Iran it was "more exposed than ever" to strikes on its nuclear facilities
- Tehran has deactivated surveillance devices needed to monitor the nuclear program
Lebanon says 11 killed in Israel strikes across the country
Lebanon said Israeli strikes killed 11 people across the country Tuesday
- "The Israeli enemy strike on Baalshmay killed five people," the health ministry said
- Israeli strikes outside Hezbollah strongholds have often targeted buildings where displaced civilians have sought refuge
Geostrategy
Donald Trump ramps up transition moves with key appointments
President-elect Donald Trump is tapping loyalists for several key posts after signaling his desire to have his cabinet confirmed without...
- Trump has promised to carry out the "biggest deportation operation in the history of our country"
- New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik got the nod for UN ambassador, while Stephen Miller might serve as deputy chief of staff