With cash and aid, Saudi Arabia pursues soft power push in Syria
Saudi Arabia has spent months courting Syria's new leaders, aiming to draw closer a country long dominated by Iran and...
Geostrategy
Israel army says will use ‘unprecedented force’ in Gaza City
Israel has pummeled Gaza City with air strikes and tank fire in its bid to seize it, nearly two years...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
EU sanctions Iran Revolutionary Guards’ wing over brutal crackdown
The European Union imposed an asset freeze on the investment arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, over Tehran's brutal crackdown on...
- The 27-nation bloc added the IRGC Cooperative Foundation, which handles the Guards' investments, to an EU asset freeze and visa ban blacklist.
- The EU also blacklisted the Student Basij Organization, which it said acts as enforcers for the Revolutionary Guards on university campuses.
Geostrategy
Norwegian delegation in Abu Dhabi discusses legal issues with ADJD
ABU DHABI, UAE - The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) discussed legal and judicial issues with a delegation from Norway....
- The delegation was briefed about applicable regulations, the Judicial Department's initiatives to establish specialized courts for foreigners.
- It was also briefed about the pioneering experience with remote litigation at the stage of registration of claims, case preparation and hearing.
Arts & Culture
Iraq artist battles to save old boating tradition
The elegant water craft have long been vastly outnumbered by modern, motorised vessels and are threatened further as Iraq's waterways...
- Iraq must save "from extinction an essential facet of our civilisation which has existed for four or five millenia", said Salim, co-founder of Safina Projects
- The flotilla on the Tigris in Baghdad was a landmark event in Salim's efforts -- 18 of the boats took to the water on a spring afternoon as part of a cultural festival
Iran’s Raisi replaces longtime security chief and leading Gulf mediator Shamkhani
Shamkhani, an ethnic Arab who had also previously served as a Revolutionary Guards commander, had been credited with defusing Iran's...
- Ahmadian, who studied at the National Defence University, was in charge of the strategic centre of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before his appointment to the new post
- The presidential decree ends the nearly decade-long tenure of Ali Shamkhani, 67, who played a key role in Iran's landmark rapprochement with Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia
Geostrategy
Israeli army kills three Palestinian fighters in West Bank raid
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party, said that the three were among...
- According to the witnesses, gunfire and loud explosion shook the camp even as a house was demolished by the Israeli army
- At least 153 Palestinians, 20 Israeli, a Ukranian and an Italian have been killed since the start of the year in the violence linked to the conflict
Geostrategy
Oman’s Sultan Haitham and Egypt’s el-Sisi review bilateral ties in Cairo
Cairo, Egypt--Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tareq reviewed bilateral relations and regional issues in talks...
- The talks between the two leaders are expected to yield several agreements in defense, trade and economic sectors
- Earlier Egypt's president received Sultan Haitham upon his arrival in Cairo, beginning a two-day official visit, his first to Egypt
Geostrategy
Dubai Customs seizes over 200 samples of endangered animal, plant species since 2020
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Customs (DC) successfully seized, over the past three years, nearly 330 tons and over 200 samples...
- Dubai Customs plays a vital role in combating attempts to smuggle prohibited materials.
- It conducts public awareness campaigns on protecting endangered animals and plants.
Geostrategy
Sharjah Chamber to send India bound trade group on 29 May
SHARJAH, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) announced it will be sending a trade mission to...
- The initiative aims to bolster economic and trade cooperation, foster mutual investment, and establish promising partnerships between Sharjah and India.
- The upcoming trade mission is expected to support the chamber's strategic goals of driving foreign expansion and exploring new markets.
Geostrategy
Capable of safeguarding Gulf waters in coordination with neighbors: Iran
Iran said it is capable of ensuring the safety of the vital Gulf waters in cooperation with neighboring countries. Iran...
- The Gulf waters, which carry at least a third of the world's seaborne oil, have witnessed a spate of incidents since 2018.
- Recently the commander of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet transited through the Strait of Hormuz in a guided-missile destroyer.
Economy
Biden denounces Republican demands on debt ceiling as ‘unacceptable’
President Joe Biden slammed Republican demands in negotiations to resolve the US debt ceiling standoff as "unacceptable" but said a...
- The Treasury Department says that the US government could run out of money and default on its $31 trillion debt as early as June 1.
- The default can happen if Congress, where Republicans control the House of Representatives, does not authorize more borrowing.
Most Read
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
With cash and aid, Saudi Arabia pursues soft power push in Syria
Saudi Arabia has spent months courting Syria's new leaders, aiming to draw closer a country long dominated by Iran and...
Geostrategy
Company News
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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...
Geostrategy
Saudi Crown Prince says Israel must not attack Iran, expresses shock over war crimes in Gaza
Indicating improving ties between the two major powerhouses in the Middle East, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged international community...
Geostrategy
Saudi hosts Muslim nations to discuss war in the Middle East with Trump in the equation
Arab and Muslim leaders are gathering in Saudi capital city Riyadh to discuss Israeli war against Gaza and Lebanon in...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Buried for 14 hours after Israeli strike, Lebanese toddler makes recovery
The strike flattened an apartment complex and killed 15 people, many of them relatives
- "Ali is the sole survivor of his family," said his father's uncle
- "He emerged from the rubble, barely breathing, after 14 hours"
Geostrategy
Who will staff Trump’s Govt? A look at top contenders, with Elon Musk among the likely picks
Tesla CEO Elon Musk could head a new "Department of Government Efficiency," promising $2 trillion in federal budget cuts and...
- "There are some people that will be returning (from Trump's first term)," senior Trump aide Jason Miller told Fox Business. "And there'll be some new people joining the mix."
- Linda McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, and Howard Lutnick, the founder of the brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, are leading the transition process
Geostrategy
Lebanon MPs demand UN protection of heritage sites from Israel attacks
The Lebanese MPs called on Azoulay to "urgently prioritize the protection of these historic sites by mobilizing UNESCO’s authority.
- "During the devastating war on Lebanon, Israel has caused grave human rights violations and atrocities," the lawmakers said
- Lebanon is home to six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Roman ruins in Baalbek and Tyre