Turkey says Erdogan to meet Joe Biden at White House on May 9
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with US counterpart Joe Biden at the White House on May...
Geostrategy
US defense chief tells Israeli counterpart that Gaza toll is ‘too high’
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant that civilian casualties in Gaza are "too high". A...
Geostrategy
Science
AI robots at UN say they could run the world in a better way
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - A panel of AI-enabled humanoid robots told a United Nations summit on Friday that they could eventually run...
- Some of the most advanced humanoid robots were at the UN's two-day AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
- They were assembled for what was billed as the world's first press conference with a packed panel of AI-enabled humanoid social robots.
Market Report
Asian markets decline as US data spark interest rate fears
Asian stocks tumbled again after another round of strong US data reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will resume its interest...
- Minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting showed officials plan to ramp up borrowing costs again this month.
- Equity-buying sentiment was hammered again by news that US private firms created twice as many jobs as expected in June.
Business
Energy prices may jump if output slashed, warns Shell CEO
LONDON, UK - Shell's chief executive told the BBC on Thursday that cutting gas and oil output would be "irresponsible" because...
- The official warned that strengthening demand from China and cold winter weather in Europe could send energy prices and bills surging.
- Domestic electricity and gas bills sky-rocketed after key energy producer Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine early last year.
Business
Verition opens office in DIFC
MENA is an important market for Verition.
- Verition’s strategic positioning of its Dubai headquarters gives it access to DIFC’s financial and innovation ecosystem
- Verition has a broad international footprint with offices in Greenwich, New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Business
Meta launches Twitter rival Threads, 10m sign-ups in first few hours
More than 10 million people have signed up to Threads, Meta's rival to Twitter, within the first few hours of...
- Threads is the biggest challenger yet to Elon Musk-owned Twitter, which has seen a series of potential competitors emerge but not yet replace it.
- Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Hugh Jackman, as well as media outlets including The Washington Post, Reuters and The Economist join.
Geostrategy
All voices must be heard in transition, sustainability debates: OPEC
Secretary-General of OPEC Haitham Al Ghais, speaking at the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, reiterated the organization's keenness to...
- Ghaith said the concept of sustainability relates to how we fulfil the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.
- He asserted the importance of oil in the global energy mix and the industry's primary role in reducing carbon emissions.
Business
Meet EU ‘gatekeeper’ definition, say seven tech giants
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - Seven tech giants, including Amazon and Apple, have informed the European Union they meet the threshold to come...
- The firms are Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, TikTok owner ByteDance, Facebook umbrella Meta, Microsoft and Samsung.
- The firms stated they had revenue and user figures big enough to be classed as "gatekeepers", EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton said.
Geostrategy
Egypt, Turkey appoint ambassadors after a decade
Egypt and Turkey said they had appointed ambassadors to each others' countries for the first time in a decade, in...
- Cairo and Ankara both issued statements announcing "the upgrading of diplomatic relations between them to the level of ambassadors".
- Relations were severed a decade ago when Sisi, then Egypt's defense minister, ousted the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, an ally of Turkey.
Business
China to restrict export of semiconductor making materials
BEIJING, CHINA - China said on Monday it would slap export controls on two rare metals essential for the manufacture of...
- Exports of gallium and germanium, of which China is a major producer, will require a license from August 1, said a Chinese guideline
- China accounted for 80 percent of global gallium production, according to a 2020 report by the European Commission
Science
Google to add seven new features for Google Chat
WASHINGTON, US- Google revealed seven new features to be added to Google Chat, a communication and collaboration tool, to enhance...
- One of the standout features coming to Google Chat is "Smart Compose," a familiar function from Gmail.
- Smart Compose offers auto-complete suggestions while typing, allowing users to swiftly complete sentences by swiping or pressing the tab key.
Turkey says Erdogan to meet Joe Biden at White House on May 9
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with US counterpart Joe Biden at the White House on May...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level, says climate monitor
PARIS, FRANCE - Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time...
Science
Gaza solidarity boycott hits global food chains
As customers in the Middle East shun international restaurants, local businesses report they have benefited from the boycott.
Business
UAE, Russian Presidents discuss regional and global developments
ABU DHABI, UAE - President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke by telephone to President of the Russian Federation...
Geostrategy

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Geostrategy
Russian foreign minister to speak at Valdai Middle East Conference
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the 13th Middle East Conference of the Valdai...
- The 13th conference is taking place at a time when the region is under the microscope amid the escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
- Experts are likely to discuss ways to come to a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, the legacy of colonial policy.
Geostrategy
Spain to increase UNRWA funding after donors suspend aid
MADRID, SPAIN - Spain said on Monday that it would give an additional US$$3.8 million (3.5 million euros) in aid to...
- Over a dozen countries, including the US, Germany, Britain and Sweden, have suspended their funding to UNRWA.
- There are accusations that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas.
Geostrategy
No Middle East escalation, urges EU foreign policy chief after US strikes
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on all parties to avoid further escalation in the Middle East after...
- US President Joe Biden vowing more attacks in retaliation for a deadly drone attack on an American base in Jordan.
- The EU is aiming to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea later this month to help protect international vessels from attacks.

