Activists marching to Gaza say were stopped in Libya, Egypt
Pro-Palestinian activists seeking to march to Gaza with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade on the territory were stopped...
Geostrategy
Nuclear states spent $100 billion on atomic arsenals in 2024, say ICAN
ICAN said Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and the United States together spent nearly $10 billion...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Saudi and Abu Dhabi crown princes review bilateral relations
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed reviewed issues of...
- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed reviewed issues of common interest vital to both countries
- The two reviewed the latest regional and international developments and also talked on mutual relations between the kingdom and the UAE.
Geostrategy
Blinken in Doha for Afghan crisis talks with Qatar
Blinken, accompanied by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, is the most senior US official to visit the region since the Taliban's...
- "We are thankful for Qatar's close collaboration on Afghanistan," the State Department said ahead of Blinken's arrival in Doha
- Blinken would discuss with Qatar its efforts, alongside Turkey, to reopen Kabul's ramshackle airport
Geostrategy
South Korea mulls reviving FTA talks with GCC
The two sides have not had a mutual FTA for more than 10 years now.
- South Korea and the GCC agreed to negotiate an FTA in 2007, but talks have been stalled since 2009
- Now, Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo will soon meet his UAE counterpart Thani Al-Zeyoudi virtually in this regard
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia and Qatar review bilateral relations
In a sign of further improvement in the strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani,...
- Earlier, the Saudi interior minister visited the Doha National Command Center
- During the reception, they reviewed bilateral relations and the existing security cooperation between both countries
Interview
‘Transparency key to success for corporates in MENA’
Good corporate governance and best practices have been driving the shift in the regional market, says Jamal Fakhro, Managing Partner...
- Regulators across sectors are proactively evolving national laws and regulations to ensure that businesses perform as responsible stewards in the market, says Jamal Fakhro
- Majority of businesses in the region which have adopted corporate accountability and transparency are driving the shift in the market, adds the Managing Partner at KPMG Bahrain
Economy
Social cost of 2019’s plastic more than GDP of India
There is increasing international alarm over the sheer volumes of fossil-fuel based plastics entering the environment, as microplastics have infiltrated...
- It estimated that unless there was concerted international action, a projected doubling of plastic production could see costs rocket by 2040 to $7.1 trillion.
- Since the 1950s, roughly 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced with around 60 percent of that tossed into landfills or into the natural environment.
Geostrategy
Panjshir resistance calls for ceasefire, Taliban withdrawal
The NRF said spokesman Fahim Dashty -- a well-known Afghan journalist -- and General Abdul Wudod Zara had been killed...
- The Taliban claimed to have captured almost the entire valley, but pro-NRF social media accounts denied this.
- Panjshir fighters held out for a decade against the Soviet military and also the Taliban's first regime from 1996-2001.
Geostrategy
UAE, Brazil discuss cooperation in space field
UAE’s Ambassador to Brazil, Saleh Ahmed Al Suwaidi, discussed the ties with Brazilian space agency AEB’s President Carlos Moura. He...
- The two countries discussed various possible areas for cooperation in the space sector
- Brazil also thanked the UAE for its inclusion of space-science topics in Expo 2020 Dubai
Interview
Hyperinflation imminent in Lebanon: Nasser Saidi
A crushing economic crisis, a sharp collapse of the local currency and a bankrupt banking sector are adding to the...
- Lebanon's banking sector must reduce the size by at least 50 percent if not more, says senior economist Nasser Saidi
- Lebanon, he says, will take 5–7 years to recover if it agreed to an IMF program within the next three months
Geostrategy
Afghan crisis cements Qatari global influence
Doha's long-standing hotline to the Taliban has helped Qatar burst onto the world stage with its efforts to assist Kabul...
- Qatar invited the Taliban to open a political office in Doha in 2013.
- Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, cut ties with Doha in 2017, accusing it of backing Islamist groups and Iran.
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
Activists marching to Gaza say were stopped in Libya, Egypt
Pro-Palestinian activists seeking to march to Gaza with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade on the territory were stopped...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Six Turkish soldiers dead in Iraq after PKK attack
Ankara, Turkey - Six Turkish soldiers were killed and one wounded when their base in northern Iraq was attacked by members...
Geostrategy
War affects Christmas festivities in southern Lebanon
Qlayaa, Lebanon - In the Lebanese Christian border village of Qlayaa, the priest urged his parish to keep the Christmas spirit...
Geostrategy
UN expresses ‘alarm’ at spreading violence in Sudan
The Council in a joint statement denounced attacks on civilians and the spread of the violence "into areas hosting large...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Saudi defense minister hosted by UK counterpart at Lancaster House in London
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — UK's Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps welcomed Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin...
- Upon Prince Khalid bin Salman's arrival, a formal reception ceremony was held, featuring a review of the guard of honor
- The two sides discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia
Geostrategy
UK terms UN resolution on Gaza as ‘good news’
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron termed it good news that that the UN has come together to "back a resolution...
- Cameron said that the resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire
- Russia and the United States abstained, meaning it passed with 13 votes in favor
Geostrategy
UNSC approves aid resolution as Gaza crisis mounts
As fighting between Israel and Hamas intensifies, the UN Security Council has passed a resolution to enhance aid to Gaza,...
- As fighting between Israel and Hamas intensifies, the UN Security Council has passed a resolution to enhance aid to Gaza, where civilians face severe hardships.
- Escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has led to over 410 deaths in 48 hours and intense urban warfare, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis.