Trump sees ‘progress’ on Gaza, raising hopes for ceasefire
"I think great progress is being made on Gaza," Trump said, adding that his special envoy Steve Witkoff had told...
Geostrategy
Oil slides, stocks rise as Iran-Israel ceasefire holds
The main international and US oil contracts briefly bounced off their lows as Israel and Iran accused each other of...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Saudi-led coalition intensifies anti-Huthi campaign, bombs camp
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Sunday it struck a Huthi rebel camp in the capital Sanaa, as it...
- The coalition says it will show evidence of involvement by Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in the Yemeni conflict.
- Yemen has been wracked by civil war since 2014 pitting the government against the Huthis who control much of the north.
Economy
Afghanistan’s asset freeze hurts everyone
To avoid giving the Taliban access to Afghanistan's reserves, Washington froze an estimated $10 billion held by the central bank...
- Ordinarily, the reserves could be dipped into to pay overdue government bills and development projects, but the freeze has trickled down to the rest of the economy.
- The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a US resolution to help humanitarian aid reach desperate Afghans.
Geostrategy
Israel approves $317m plan to double settlers in occupied Golan Heights
Around 25,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights, along with some 23,000 Druze, who remained on the land after...
- Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presented his one billion shekel ($317 million) program to improve housing, transportation, tourism and medical facilities in the area.
- Former US president Donald Trump, widely viewed as pro-Israeli, granted US recognition to Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in 2019.
Business
UAE, Morocco discuss cooperation in investment and economy
The two sides talked about Expo 2020 Dubai and the importance of the Arab countries' participation therein.
- The discussion took place in a meeting between UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Morocco Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch
- They are also said to have reviewed the latest developments in the Arab region and exchanged views over a number of regional and international issues of common interest
Geostrategy
Tunisia rescues 48 illegal migrants at sea
Tunisian coastguards have rescued 48 illegal migrants trying to reach Europe from neighboring Libya in a makeshift boat.
- The migrants —15 from Mali, 15 Syrians and four Egyptians — were intercepted and rescued off Zarzis when their boat broke down
- The rescued migrants were taken to El Ketef port before being transferred to International Organization for Migration premises
Geostrategy
Iran won’t enrich uranium beyond 60% if talks fail, says official
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran director Mohammad Eslami said the enrichment levels were related to the needs of the country.
- The 2015 nuclear deal offered Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program
- It was derailed in 2018 when the US unilaterally withdrew under then president Donald Trump
Geostrategy
Tear gas fired on anti-coup rallies in Sudan
Sudan anti-coup protesters faced tear gas at a democracy rally while General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan defended October's military takeover.
- Safety forces dispersed the thousands of protesters with truncheons and firing tear gas canisters
- Activists condemns sexual assaults throughout these protests, with the UN stating that at least 13 women and girls were raped
Geostrategy
Iranian envoys get Saudi visas for diplomatic posts
Saudi Arabia has granted visas to Iranian diplomats as part of a routine procedure for representatives of a member state...
- Three diplomates from Iran receives Saudi visa for OIC posts in Jeddah
- Iran and Saudi Arabia held several rounds of talks since April to improve diplomatic relationships
Geostrategy
Residents in frustration and unease over Libya poll delay
The poll was meant to take place just over a year after a landmark east-west ceasefire. The delay will be...
- Libya’s electoral board has suggested pushing the vote back by a month to January 24
- However, given political animosity between different stakeholders, agreeing a new date may not be easy
Geostrategy
Arab League chief urges cooperation to achieve successful Libya elections
Aboul Ghaith pointed to the dangerous juncture that Libya is going through, and said that everyone should join hands and...
- In a statement, Aboul Gheit urged the concerned parties to adopt dialogue as the only means to resolve the dispute
- Gheit stressed on the importance of a national consensus on the legal and procedural rules for the elections
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Trump sees ‘progress’ on Gaza, raising hopes for ceasefire
"I think great progress is being made on Gaza," Trump said, adding that his special envoy Steve Witkoff had told...
Geostrategy
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China implores all sides to prevent Yemen conflict expanding
Beijing, China--China called Friday for all sides to prevent the Yemen conflict from expanding, after strikes by the United States and...
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...
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...
Geostrategy
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Business
NEOM announces Aquellum as futuristic lifestyle community
NEOM, SAUDI ARABIA - The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Aquellum, a luxury and experiential space embedded within...
- Aquellum is hidden within a breathtaking 450-meter-high mountain range.
- The subterranean digitalized community creates vibrancy and interconnectivity.
Geostrategy
Israel bombs Gaza as Blinken says no regional escalation
As Blinken wrapped up a whistlestop tour of the region, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) heard arguments in a...
- In Cairo, Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a key mediator in efforts to end the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel.
- Blinken outlined a possible post-war future for Gaza on Wednesday after meeting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia signs MoUs with four countries for development in mining industry
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the...
- The roundtable highlighted the need for governments and industry to achieve economic and social development for local communities.
- A total of 79 governments, 13 international organizations, 15 NGOs and seven business associations took part in the roundtable.