Trump vows revenge after troops in Syria killed in alleged IS ambush
The deadly attack had been "an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman," who was "engaged and killed," US Central Command...
Geostrategy
Mediators Egypt, Qatar, others ‘concerned’ about Israel opening one-way Gaza exit
The countries voiced "their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land" and said they...
Geostrategy
Business
Dubai Customs records 44% increase in declarations in 2023
Dubai, UAE -– Customs declarations processed by the Inland Customs Centers Management of Dubai Customs increased by 44 percent, reaching...
- The cleared goods' total weight last year was 6 million tons, a 20 percent increase from 2022's 5 million tons.
- The Inland Customs Centers also processed 238,149 Vehicle Customs Cards (VCC), and the number of licensed companies operating in Ducamz reached 396.
Geostrategy
US says talks came to ‘understanding’ on possible Gaza truce
"Representatives of Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar met in Paris and came to an understanding among the four...
- "That work is underway. And we hope that in the coming days, we can drive to a point where there is actually a firm and final agreement on this issue."
- Negotiations for a ceasefire have resumed in Doha between the four countries, as well as Hamas representatives, state-linked Egyptian media reported Sunday.
Arts & Culture
Africa’s largest mosque inaugurated officially in Algeria’s capital
The vast mosque, which can hold 120,000 worshippers, first opened for prayers in October 2020, but President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was...
- It also boasts the world's tallest minaret -- 267 meters (875 feet) -- fitted with elevators and a viewing platform that looks out over the capital and the Bay of Algiers.
- The mosque's interior, in Andalusian style, is decorated in wood, marble and alabaster. The mega-project cost more than $800 million dollars and took seven years to build.
Economy
Gulf economies to outpace global forecast for 2024: FAB report
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The economies of the UAE and Gulf countries will outpace the global forecast for 2024, helped...
- FAB sees UAE’s GDP expanding 3.7% in 2023 and 4% in 2024, and the GCC’s by 3.4% in 2024, higher than the IMF’s global forecast of 3.1% and 2.1% for the United States.
- FAB’s outlook notes that the GCC region continues to be supported by strong growth in non-oil GDP, with 3.4 percent expected in the medium term.
Geostrategy
UAE removed from international money laundering grey list
Countries on the grey list have "strategic deficiencies" in their efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing but are...
- More than 200 countries and jurisdictions have pledged to implement the recommendations of the FATF.
- The FATF also repeated its condemnation of Russia for its invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
Business
UAE to invest $35 billion to help solve currency crisis: Egypt PM
Madbouly said the investment would "contribute to resolving" a hard currency crunch which has threatened Egypt's ability to service its...
- According to UAE's WAM agency, ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, has unveiled plans to invest US$35 billion in Egypt.
- ADQ will acquire the development rights for Ras El-Hekma for $24 billion to develop the region into one of the largest new city developments by a private consortium.
Business
UAE, Kenya finalize Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The United Arab Emirates and Kenya have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that...
- The CEPA will have significant positive impact on accelerating investment flows in high potential areas such as logistics, healthcare, travel and tourism.
- Foreign trade remains the cornerstone of the UAE’s economic agenda. In 2023, the UAE’s non-oil trade in goods reached an all-time high of $710 billion.
Geostrategy
‘On edge of monumental disaster’: Israel hits southern Gaza
"I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human...
- Israeli bombardment obliterated one house and left a gaping hole in the earth east of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where about 1.4 million Gazans have converged.
- Israel's bombardment of Gaza has killed at least 29,514 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest count by Gaza's health ministry.
Business
Saudi Arabia’s PIF to acquire stake in Binladin Group: Report
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Public Investment Fund (PIF) intends to acquire a stake in Saudi Binladin Group (SBG), Bloomberg...
- The PIF is considering acquiring part or all the 36 percent stake owned by the ministry of finance.
- The fund is working with Morgan Stanley on the potential deal to buy into SBG, Argaam reported, citing reports.Â
Geostrategy
Broad support among G20 for two-state solution in Middle East: Brazil
There was "virtual unanimity for the two-state solution as the only possible solution," Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told journalists...
- "Every (minister) that addressed the issue voiced support" for a two-state solution, "and it was a lot" of ministers, he said.
- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell had urged Vieira to use his closing statement "to explain to the world that at the G20, everybody was in favor of" a two-state solution.
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Trump vows revenge after troops in Syria killed in alleged IS ambush
The deadly attack had been "an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman," who was "engaged and killed," US Central Command...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
Trump touts tariffs, mass deportations and NATO skepticism
In his first formal television interview -- and just six weeks before he takes office -- Trump again signaled that...
Geostrategy
Qatar PM sees ‘momentum’ on Gaza talks after US election
Doha, Qatar - Qatar's prime minister said on Saturday that momentum had returned to talks aimed at securing a truce and...
Geostrategy
Vegetable oil pushes global food prices to seven-month high in Nov
Rome, Italy -- The benchmark for world food commodity prices rose in November to its highest level since April 2023,...
Business
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Business
ADNOC signs deal with PETRONAS
Under the agreement, ADNOC will supply 1m tons of LNG per year.
- The LNG will primarily be sourced from the Ruwais LNG project, which is currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi.
- Deliveries are expected to start in 2028 upon commencement of its commercial operations.
Business
Bitcoin passes $100,000 mark for first time, outshining wavering stock markets
Donald Trump, who has vowed to make the US the 'bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world' wrote 'Congratulations Bitcoiners...You're...
- The digital asset has now soared more than 50 percent since the election of Donald Trump, who has vowed to make the US the "bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world."
- The historic level was broken after Trump picked crypto proponent Paul Atkins to take over as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the markets regulator.
Economy
OECD warns of protectionism weeks before Trump return
While the organization raised its 2025 global growth forecast to 3.3 percent, it cautioned that "greater trade protectionism, particularly from...
- Trump has threatened blanket tariffs of at least 10% on all imports and since his election has vowed to slap 25% import tariffs against Canada and Mexico, the US trade partners.
- "Increases in trade-restrictive measures could raise costs and prices, deter investment, weaken innovation and ultimately lower growth," the OECD warned in its economic outlook.