Trump increasingly ambiguous on Israel amid Gaza war
At the start of Israel's war with Hamas in October, Donald Trump loudly presented himself as the key US ally's...
Geostrategy
UN rights council to consider call for Israel arms sales halt
The UN Human Rights Council on Friday is set to consider a draft resolution calling for a cessation of arms...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Trump said he won’t ‘give a penny’ to Ukraine, claims Hungary Prime Minister
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asserted that former US president Donald Trump told him during a meeting...
- Orban is the only EU leader to have maintained ties with the Kremlin since Russia invaded Ukraine.
- He also angered fellow EU leaders by meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in September
Geostrategy
Four space station crew members leave for Earth
WASHINGTON, US – Four astronauts left the International Space Station on Monday and were bound for Earth following a more than...
- Led by American astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, NASA's Crew-7 arrived at the research platform last August.
- NASA and SpaceX are targeting as soon as 5:35 am Tuesday (0935 GMT) for a splashdown off the Florida coast.
Economy
Iran agricultural, food exports hit US$5.5bn in 11 months
TEHRAN, IRAN – The Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade said that Iran exported fisheries, livestock, agricultural and food products...
- Iraq was the biggest importer of Iranian agricultural and food products worth US$1.7 billion.
- The UAE was the second largest importer of Iranian agricultural and food products worth $675 million
Economy
GASTAT adopts chain-linking method to calculate Saudi Arabia’s real GDP
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said in a press release it issued on Sunday that...
- The fourth quarter 2023 results and the annual results for the same year have been reached at by using the new methodology.
- Saudi Arabia is the first country in the Gulf and Arab regions, and among the first G20 countries, to implement the chain-linking methodology.
Business
Cryptocurrency Ether witnesses meteoric rise since launch
NEW YORK, US – Bitcoin has captured the limelight in recent weeks as it surged to a new record high, yet...
- Launched in 2015, Ether is by far the second-largest digital currency in terms of total value, now estimated at over $460 billion.
- Bitcoin's rise has been well-documented, but Ether's has been even more impressive, surging almost 72 percent year to date.
Geostrategy
Thousands rally in London seeking a truce in Gaza
London, UK - Thousands of protesters marched in central London on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza amid ongoing...
- The march, from Hyde Park Corner to the US Embassy, was the fifth major demonstration of the year so far in the capital.
- However, marches protesting Israeli assault in Gaza have seen dozens arrested for anti-Semitic chanting and banners.
Business
Amman Chamber of Industry exports for January-February 2024 reaches $1.3bn
AMMAN, JORDAN - Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) exports amounted to US$1.3 billion (JD926 million) during the last two months...
- During the first two months of 2024, India, the US, Saudi Arabia and Iraq accounted for the majority of ACI’s exports.
- The chamber's exports to the US surged during the first two months of 2024 to about US$297 million compared to US$275 million.
Geostrategy
Aid boat ready to set sail from Cyprus for Gaza
A boat laden with food for Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza was "ready" to set sail from Cyprus, an NGO said,...
- The UN has repeatedly warned of looming famine, particularly in the Palestinian territory's north where no overland border crossings are open.
- With ground access limited, countries have also turned to airdropping aid, although a parachute malfunction turned one delivery on Friday deadly.
Geostrategy
Iran hits out at UN experts report on 2022 protests
TEHRAN, IRAN – Tehran on Saturday strongly condemned a UN report on the Islamic republic's response to mass protests in 2022,...
- International experts said the repression of mostly peaceful protests beginning in September 2022 have led to "crimes against humanity".
- The UN Human Rights Council mandated the experts' investigation following massive protests after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini.
Business
Saudi Tourism Authority, Trip.com Group sign global agreement
BERLIN, GERMANY – Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Trip.com Group have announced a significant global partnership, which will drive greater...
- The joint effort aims to bring over 350 thousand additional tourists to Saudi over the course of the agreement.
- The partnership is vital as it coincides with exceptional growth and transformation in the global tourism industry.
Trump increasingly ambiguous on Israel amid Gaza war
At the start of Israel's war with Hamas in October, Donald Trump loudly presented himself as the key US ally's...
Geostrategy
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Rise in remittances hikes demand for Jordanian dinar, says chamber of commerce
AMMAN, JORDAN – Rising remittances from the Kingdom’s citizens working abroad has contributed to increasing demand for Jordanian dinar. Exchange...
Economy
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
Trump tells Israel media ‘you’re losing support’ over Gaza war
Former US president Donald Trump warned Israel in an interview that it was losing support over the war in Gaza....
Geostrategy
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Business
EU imports US$120.5bn worth of energy products in Q4 2023
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In the fourth quarter of 2023, the EU imported US$120.5 billion (€111.3 billion) worth of energy products...
- Compared with the same period in 2022, imports decreased both in value (-34.2 percent) and in net mass (-11.7 percent).
- Comparing 2023 with 2022, the value of energy products dropped by 35 percent, while the volume dropped by 9.4 percent.
Geostrategy
Putin vows retribution on Moscow concert hall attacks, as toll rises
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to punish those behind a "barbaric terrorist attack" on a Moscow concert hall that killed...
- It is the deadliest attack on Russia in almost two decades and the deadliest in Europe to have been claimed by the Islamic State.
- Russian officials expect the death toll to rise further, with more than 100 injured in hospital.
Business
Passenger air traffic has reached pre-pandemic levels, says ICAO
MONTREAL, CANADA – In the first quarter of 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projected that passenger air traffic...
- ICAO’s latest analysis also reveals new insights into aviation industry for the year 2023.
- It said that air traffic on most routes had reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels by end of 2023.