Trump threatens European nations with tariffs over Greenland
Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops...
Geostrategy
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse
MEA markets feature rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and younger hotel infrastructure, says Ralph Melis, co-founder and...
Interview
Geostrategy
OPEC says Chinese economy pulling down oil demand
Paris, France -- Uncertainty about Chinese economic growth is weighing on global oil demand this year, OPEC said on Monday, leading...
- "The world oil demand growth forecast for 2024 is revised down slightly by 135,00 barrels a day from the previous month’s assessment," OPEC said.
- OPEC blamed the declining prices on "concerns about China's economic performance" as well "as easing geopolitical risk premiums and mixed economic indicators."
Geostrategy
Calls for Gaza truce grow, Hamas wants Biden plan implemented
Biden had said the first phase of the proposed roadmap would include a "full and complete ceasefire" lasting six weeks,...
- The second phase would see the remaining living hostages released as the warring sides negotiate "a permanent end to hostilities", followed by "a major reconstruction plan for Gaza
- Israel has accepted the invitation from the United States, Qatar and Egypt to send negotiators for talks planned for Thursday.
Business
ADQ to invest $1bn in Sotheby’s
ADQ will acquire newly issued shares of Sotheby’s to support its growth.
- ADQ’s said the deal reflects its strategic commitment to pursuing value-accretive investment opportunities that contribute to Abu Dhabi's economic diversification.
- Patrick Drahi, who acquired Sotheby’s in 2019, will also invest additional capital alongside ADQ and remain Sotheby’s majority owner.
Geostrategy
‘Children torn apart’: Israel strike rains hell on Gaza dawn prayers
Dawn prayers were shattered by the early morning triple air strike from Israeli warplanes, which gutted Al-Tabieen religious school and...
- "Israel is genociding the Palestinians one neighborhood at the time, one hospital at the time, one school at the time," said UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
- In a report issued in March, Albanese said there were "reasonable grounds" to determine that Israel had committed several acts of "genocide" in its war in Gaza.
Israel agrees to resume Gaza truce talks next week
A prospective cessation of hostilities also involving the release of hostages held in Gaza and scaled-up aid deliveries has centred...
- After a week-long pause in November, US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have endeavored to secure a second truce in the 10-month-old war
- Netanyahu's office said later Thursday Israel would send a negotiating team on August 15 "to the agreed place to conclude the details of implementing a deal."
Geostrategy
Flying’s never been safer, risk of death halving every decade: MIT study
Washington, United States -- Flying can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people -- but a new study out Thursday finds...
- The fatality rate fell to 1 per every 13.7 million passenger boardings globally in the 2018-2022 period, a major improvement from 1 per 7.9 million boardings in 2008-2017.
- The last major commercial airline disaster in the United States was in 2009, when Colgan Air flight 3407 crashed, killing 50 people.
Geostrategy
Gaza civil defence says Israel strikes on two schools kill more than 18
Senior civil defense official Mohammad al-Mughayyir said 60 people were also wounded and more than 40 still missing in the...
- "This is a clear targeting of schools and safe civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip," he said.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, meanwhile call for greater international efforts to stop conflict escalation.
Business
Oil and gas sector in Arab countries attracts projects worth $406bn
Kuwait: -- The oil and gas sector in Arab countries attracted 610 projects implemented by 356 foreign and Arab companies,...
- United States topped the list as the most important investing country in the Arab region in the oil and gas sector with 85 projects.
- Russia ranked first in terms of investment costs, with a value of US$ 61.5 billion, representing about 15.2 percent of the total.
Geostrategy
Turkey joins South Africa’s Israel ‘genocide’ case at ICJ
A Turkish parliamentary delegation accompanied by the Turkish ambassador to the Netherlands filed a "declaration of intervention" at the ICJ's...
- South Africa's Dec 2023 case alleges that Israel's Gaza offensive, launched in retaliation for Hamas' bloody October 7 attack on Israel, breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
- In a ruling January 26, the ICJ told Israel to do everything possible to prevent acts of genocide during its military operations in Gaza, which have left nearly 40,000 dead.
Geostrategy
Bangaldesh Nobel winner Yunus ready to lead after Hasina flees
Dhaka, Bangladesh -- Bangladesh Nobel winner Muhammad Yunus said Tuesday he is ready to head a caretaker government, a day after...
- Microfinance pioneer Yunus, 84, is credited with lifting millions out of poverty -- earning the enmity of ousted Hasina and the wide respect of millions of Bangladeshis.
- Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Monday the military would form an interim government, saying it was "time to stop the violence".
Trump threatens European nations with tariffs over Greenland
Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops...
Geostrategy
Company News
ADNOC L&S buys stake in Navig8
Business
Latest News
Israel security chief accuses PM of demanding personal loyalty
Israel's internal security chief, whom the government is trying to sack, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday of demanding personal...
Geostrategy
US judge rules Google monopolized online ad tech market
Washington, United States -- A US judge on Thursday ruled that Google wielded monopoly power in the online ad technology...
Business
China retaliates with 84 percent tariffs on US products
Beijing, China -- China will impose 84 percent tariffs on US imports, up from 34 percent, the finance ministry said...
Business

Most Read
Business
AI’s impact on jobs, technology’s touchy topic sparks unease
New York, United States - "Stop Hiring Humans" read a provocative sign at an AI conference in Las Vegas, where...
- AI agents, which are supposed to make decisions that are usually made by humans, have become the latest buzzword of the AI story
- There is little doubt that some kind of upheaval of the workplace is underway, but its precise impact remains uncertain
Geostrategy
Russia to hold talks with US in Riyadh Monday: Kremlin
Donald Trump spoke to both Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky this week and the US is also due...
- "From the Russian side, they will be attended by Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senate's committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, advisor to the head of FSB.
- Ushakov said he had confirmed this after talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Both agreed to send "expert groups" for the talks, he added.
Interview
AI to become the new internet: Kamel Al-Tawil on MENA’s tech evolution
Historically, the region was a key player in commerce through the Silk Road, and today, it has the potential to...
- Investments in scalable infrastructure, subsea networks, and neutral digital hubs are critical for advancing global connectivity.
- The region is also positioning itself as a major AI hub, supported by investments in AI models and sustainable energy.

