Iran lawmakers back suspending cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog
Tehran, Iran -- Iranian lawmakers voted Wednesday in favor of suspending cooperation with the United Nations' atomic energy watchdog, state...
Geostrategy
Israel kills 46 Gazans waiting for aid as hostage families call for end to war
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 21 people were killed and around 150 wounded by Israeli fire near...
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Geostrategy
Qatar suspends leave for healthcare staff amid Covid surge
Qatar's main healthcare provider has suspended leave for all medical and administrative staff dealing with Covid, as infections surge across...
- Since the pandemic began, Qatar has recorded more than 248,000 infections, including 616 deaths. Monday's tally of 343 infections was the highest since May.
- The six members of the GCC have recorded more than 2.5 million cases, among them over 19,000 deaths.
Lebanon president calls for end to government boycott
President Michel Aoun has called for national dialogue on matters including a defense strategy.
- Lebanese president hinted at friction with the Hezbollah for blocking Cabinet meetings since October
- The Hezbollah is spearheading a boycott of the Lebanese govt over demands to replace a judge
Geostrategy
Libya’s parliament refuses to fix date for delayed polls
The vote, set for Friday, was meant to be the culmination of United Nations-led efforts to drag Libya out of...
- On Monday the parliamentary committee charged with overseeing the election presented a report saying it would be risky to set a new date at this stage
- That was a direct rebuff to the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) which had suggested holding the vote on January 24
Geostrategy
Iraq’s top court rejects fraud claims, ratifies election results
The ruling will allow parliament to meet and pave the way for the election of a president who will then...
- Judge Jassem Mohamed Aboud of the Federal Supreme Court rejected a complaint of irregularities filed by the pro-Iran Hashed al-Shaabi former paramilitary alliance.
- The Hashed had also organized protests over the preliminary election results. One protester was killed and more than 100 injured in November.
Geostrategy
Kuwait and UNHCR agreement to provide $2 million aid to Yemen
It is also meant to provide basic building materials for temporary shelters, to rehabilitate and improve sites' and water sources...
- The agreement is a result of Kuwait’s commitment during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
- The grant targets at improving living conditions of almost 200,000 internally displaced persons in cities of Yemen.
Geostrategy
UAE residents can recycle used cooking oil at Bee’ah Tandeef machines
Waste management and environment company Bee’ah Tandeef has launched a service that allows people to recycle used cooking oil so...
- Bee’ah Tandeef will turn the waste cooking oil into biodiesel that will be used to run its fleet of waste collection trucks.
- The collection machine also dispenses a new empty bottle whenever a bottle is deposited.
Geostrategy
Iran seeks assurances on sanctions as nuclear talks resume
Iran said nuclear talks that are set to resume Monday in Vienna should focus on lifting sanctions on the Islamic...
- Negotiations to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal resumed in late November, after a five-month hiatus following the election of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi.
- The talks seek to bring back the United States, after it withdrew from the accord in 2018 under president Donald Trump and began imposing sanctions on Iran.
Infographics
What were the top geopolitical events of 2021?
The year 2021 was, despite the dampened activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, chock-full of landmark events.
- Globally, the world is still talking about the January 6 incident where supporters of then US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol
- Also, the annual climate conference COP26 was held in Glasgow, with observers still divided on whether it was a success or a failure
Geostrategy
UAE extends $2m grant to Costa Rica in flood response
The UAE has extended a grant of $2 million to Costa Rica to help the Central American country battle its...
- The money is expected to help Costa Rica build capacity in its National Emergency Commission to address flooding throughout the country
- This comes against the backdrop of two previous aid flights sent by the UAE to Costa Rica carrying critical medical supplies to fight Covid-19
Geostrategy
France arrests man for shipping chemical components to Syria
France detained a 60-year-old French-Syrian man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit crimes against humanity.
- France has arrested a man under formal investigation on suspicion of supporting the Syrian army
- Syria denies the use of chemical weapons, insisting it handed over its stockpiles under a 2013 agreement
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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
Iran lawmakers back suspending cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog
Tehran, Iran -- Iranian lawmakers voted Wednesday in favor of suspending cooperation with the United Nations' atomic energy watchdog, state...
Geostrategy
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Funding key challenge for Middle East innovators
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Oil prices rise after US, UK strike Houthi rebels
Oil prices surged four percent after US and UK forces launched strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels after attacks on ships...
Market Report
Turkey and Gulf nations condemn US, UK airstrikes on Yemen
"First of all, they are not proportional. All of these constitute disproportionate use of force," Erdogan told journalists after Friday...
Geostrategy
CBUAE cancels license of First Insurance Brokers Company
ABU DHABI, UAE - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has cancelled the license of First Insurance Brokers Company...
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Geostrategy
US and UK target Houthi radar, missile capabilities
US President Joe Biden termed the the US and British strikes a "defensive action" after the Red Sea attacks, and...
- Houthis said their forces will continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea
- A Houthi spokesman said Western air strikes on Yemen killed five people and wounded six
Geostrategy
Gaza devastated and ‘largely depopulated’ as war nears 100 days
GAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - Bombed-out neighborhoods, mass graves dug in the sand, spreading hunger and disease -- as the bloodiest...
- Many thousands of strikes have rained down on the long-blockaded and densely populated Mediterranean coastal strip
- Much of northern Gaza has been reduced to a dusty wasteland and largely depopulated as Israeli troops have launched ground invasion
Arts & Culture
McIlroy surges into two-shot lead at Dubai Invitational
DUBAI, UAE - Rory McIlroy kicked off his year with a sparkling nine-under-par 62 to take a two-stroke lead after the...
- The world number two is playing his first event since the DP World Tour Championship last November.
- McIlroy made headlines earlier this week when he claimed a "world tour" was his "dream scenario" for golf.