Saudi Arabia, UAE climb WEF Tourism Index despite Middle East conflict disruption
Saudi Arabia jumps 17 places since 2019 on workforce reform and Vision 2030 investment, while the UAE tops the world...
Business
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passes away, 10-day mourning declared
His brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, mourned his death on social media, writing: “You...
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Geostrategy
Who recognises the State of Palestine, who doesn’t, and why does it make a difference?
Here is an overview of diplomatic recognition of the state, which was unilaterally proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile...
- Several other countries including France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta are expected to follow suit during a summit on the future of the two-state solution
- Russia, alongside all Arab countries, almost all African and Latin American countries, and most Asian countries including India and China are already on the list
Geostrategy
Embattled Turkey opposition re-elects leader at party congress
Turkey's main opposition CHP re-elected its leader Ozgur Ozel at an extraordinary congress Sunday as the party fights off a...
- The move comes as the Republican People's Party (CHP), seeks to shore up its leadership as opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have faced a series of lawsuits and arrests
- At Sunday's 22nd extraordinary congress in the capital Ankara, delegates overwhelmingly re-elected Ozel who won all 835 valid votes cast as another 82 were ruled invalid.
Geostrategy
Israel’s Netanyahu says peace with Lebanon and Syria possible
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel's war with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah had created the possibility for peace...
- Syria and Israel have technically been at war since 1948, but the two countries opened direct negotiations after the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad
- In Lebanon, meanwhile, Israel has continued to strike Hezbollah targets despite a November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with the Iran-backed group
Geostrategy
India again refuse handshake with Pakistan in Asia Cup
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- India skipper Suryakumar Yadav again refused to shake hands with Pakistan's Salman Agha as he...
- India angered Pakistan with a 'no handshake' stance in their previous meeting at the same venue in Dubai.
- It was the first cricketing clash between the rival nations since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.
Geostrategy
UAE Council warns 98% of cyberattacks rely on social engineering
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE Cyber Security Council has cautioned that social engineering remains the most common tool used...
- The Council’s Cyber Pulse campaign is raising awareness about the risks of social engineering and urging the public to verify sources before sharing personal data.
- The council recommended monitoring official alerts and keeping up to date with cybersecurity guidance to remain protected.
Business
Dubai Integrated Economic Zones posts record $91 billion trade in 2024
Dubai, UAE – The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) recorded its highest-ever trade performance in 2024, with total trade...
- The Authority’s zones handled 444,300 tons of goods last year, with electronics and precious metals driving 94 percent of overall trade.
- Dubai’s overall non-oil trade also reached record levels in 2024, with DIEZ contributing its largest-ever share.
Geostrategy
Seismic shift: UK, Australia and Canada recognize Palestinian state
Portugal was also to recognize Palestinian statehood, as Israel came under huge international pressure over the war in Gaza where...
- A poll released by YouGov on Friday showed two-thirds of young Britons aged 18-25 supported Palestinian statehood.
- Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged at the UN in July that "Britain bears a special burden of responsibility to support the two-state solution".
Geostrategy
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...
- H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialized skills to work in the United States, initially for three years but extendable to six.
- Such visas are widely used by the tech industry. Indian nationals account for nearly three-quarters of the permits allotted via lottery system each year.
Geostrategy
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...
- The small Palestinian territory has since suffered vast destruction, death and lack of food that have resulted in a major humanitarian crisis.
- Starmer said in July that Britain would formally recognize the State of Palestine if Israel did not take "substantive steps" towards a ceasefire with Hamas.
Geostrategy
Floating wind power sets sail in Japan’s energy shift
Still heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, Japan has declared offshore wind energy a "trump card" in its drive to...
- That's despite rising project costs and fears over inadequate infrastructure to produce turbines en masse.
- Floating turbines are particularly well suited to Japan as its deep coastal waters make fixing them to seabeds tricky.
Saudi Arabia, UAE climb WEF Tourism Index despite Middle East conflict disruption
Saudi Arabia jumps 17 places since 2019 on workforce reform and Vision 2030 investment, while the UAE tops the world...
Business
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Lebanon violence tests US-Iran accord as Israeli ministers harden rhetoric
Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 21 people were killed and 39 wounded in overnight strikes across southern Lebanon.
Geostrategy
Vance rebukes Israeli critics of Trump-Iran deal, says US remains Israel’s only ally
Vance said that if he were serving in Israel's cabinet, he would not be "attacking the only powerful ally that...
Geostrategy
Middle East conflict exposes hydrogen supply risks: IEA
Dubai, UAE -- The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted production and trade in hydrogen-based products, exposing vulnerabilities in...
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MENA energy transition slips as Hormuz crisis exposes security gaps: WEF
Hormuz disruption and weakening policy commitment dragged down Middle East transition readiness in 2026. Saudi Arabia bucked the trend with...
- UAE retains region's top ranking globally at 49th, anchored by strong equity, regulation and political commitment scores.
- Global transition readiness fell for first time in over a decade despite record $2.3 trillion clean energy investment.
Geostrategy
Al Rajhi Bank becomes AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 regional partner
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank has been named an exclusive regional partner of the AFC Asian Cup...
- Partnership will connect customers to tournament experiences, promotions and football-focused engagement initiatives across Saudi Arabia.
- Agreement aligns with Saudi efforts to expand sports investment and attract major international events under Vision 2030.
Geostrategy
Trump, Iran president sign framework accord to end conflict, launch nuclear talks
The accord, signed electronically by both leaders, is intended to serve as a framework for a broader settlement rather than...
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country, supported by Qatar, would host a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday to launch technical-level discussions.
- The framework extends the existing ceasefire by 60 days, creating a window for negotiations on a permanent settlement and Iran's nuclear activities.