Iran closed nuclear facilities in wake of Israel attack: IAEA chief
Tehran, Iran Iran temporarily closed its nuclear facilities over "security considerations" in the wake of its massive missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend, the head of the UN's atomic watchdog said Monday. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting, International Atomic Energy...Palestinian officials say Israeli settlers kill two in West Bank
The West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has seen a surge in violence since early last year, particularly since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza on October 7. At least 468 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West Bank since October 7, according...GCC nations express deep concern over Iran-Israel skirmishes
In light of the military escalation and developments in the Middle East region, the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council held its 44th extraordinary meeting on April 15, 2024, at the headquarters of the Qatari Embassy in TashkentHezbollah claims attack on Israeli troops who had crossed border
It was the first time Hezbollah claimed such an attack in six months of near-daily cross-border clashes between the Iran-backed group and Israel since the Gaza war broke out.Kremlin, the world, urge restraint following Iranian strikes on Israel
The Kremlin on Monday called for a de-escalation in the Middle East after Iran's unprecedented weekend attack on Israel. "We are extremely concerned about the escalation of tensions in the region and we call on all countries in the region to exercise restraint. Further escalation is in no one's interests,"...OpenAI comes to Asia
The ChatGPT creator opens first Asian office in Tokyo.Stocks hit by Iran-Israel fears, containment hopes stem losses
Saturday's bombardment of more than 300 ballistic and cruise missiles and attack drones -- which were mostly repelled by air defenses -- compounded worries about the outlook for US interest rates following more forecast-beating inflation and jobs data.Iran top security body: Response to Israeli aggression based on Article 51 of UN Charter
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) says the Iranian armed forces’ attack on the Israeli regime was carried out based on Article 51 of the UN Charter, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Under UN Chapter VII's 'Action with respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the...Special economic zones are a new craze in Middle East
Vast swathes of land across the desert region are seeing the sprouting of new special zones to entice big business to set up shop. But can the model work to power the GCC economy?Israel urges Iran sanctions as world warns against escalation
Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, retorted that the Islamic republic was exercising its "inherent right to self-defence" and "had no choice" but to act. He insisted his country did "not seek escalation or war", but would respond to any "threat or aggression".Saudi Arabia surpasses homeownership goals, sets sights on 70% by 2030
The kingdom's housing program achieves remarkable success, surpassing targets and reducing waiting times from 15 years to immediate entitlement, revolutionizing residential ownership.After long peace, Big Tech faces US antitrust reckoning
Launched under both the Trump and Biden administrations, five major cases from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are moving forward against major US technology companies -- including two against Google that could see the company split up.Thousands gather in Iran in show of support for attack on Israel
Iran's attack came in retaliation for an April 1 strike that levelled the five-storey consular annexe of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals. Tehran has since vowed to avenge the strike which was widely blamed on Israel.Call for restraint grows as Iran warns of ‘stronger response’ if attacked
As expected, Iran retaliated early Sunday by firing more than 200 drones and missiles toward Israel in response to Israel's covert attack of Iran's diplomatic office in Damascus that killed nine people.US troops head to region as fears grow of Gaza war’s spread
Fears of regional escalation grew after a strike on Iran's consular annex at its embassy in Damascus. Tehran blames the attack on Israel. Airlines said they are avoiding Iranian airspace, nearly two weeks after a strike.Saudi imposes anti-dumping duties on products from 10 countries
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has imposed anti-dumping duties on seven products imported from 10 European and Asian countries, six of which are subject to the unified GCC law to protect the industry from the damage caused by dumped and subsidized imports, media reports said. The products included all...IMF confirms Kristalina Georgieva for second five-year term
It means that Georgieva, who was the sole candidate in the running to lead the International Monetary Fund, will continue in office when her current term ends on September 30, 2024. The decision was taken by consensus, the IMF said in a statement confirming the executive board's decision.MENA region is leading the on-demand talent revolution: report
Agile work models and diverse skill demands propel MENA's freelance economy, empowering businesses to thrive amid modernization and digital transformation.Defence minister says Israel ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with US on Iran
"Our enemies think that they can pull apart Israel and the United States, but the opposite is true -- they are bringing us together," Gallant said, after the two discussed Iran's threats of retaliation for a deadly air strike on its consulate in Syria.Middle East tensions weigh on markets as oil and gold prices shoot up
London, United Kingdom -- Wall Street stocks slid on Friday despite banks beating expectations at the start of earnings season as oil and gold prices shot up amid worries about the conflict in the Middle East widening. "Geopolitical worries have triggered some risk aversion, but worries about a growth slowdown have...IEA lowers its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024
According to the IEA, oil demand growth in Q1 2024 was lower than expected at 1.6 mln bpd, and the smallest since Q1 2023, due to unusually warm weather at the end of winter, which led to a greater decline in heating fuel consumption in OECD countries.JPMorgan Chase profits up 6%
The bank's CEO warns about risk of persistent inflation.Fujifilm ups biotech plant investment
The cost of investment in North Carolina plant is $1.2 billion.Israel on alert after Iranian threat as Gaza war grinds on
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that Israel "must be punished and will be punished", days after one of his advisers said Israeli embassies are "no longer safe". Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz swiftly replied on social media site X that "if Iran attacks from its territory, Israel...Innovation, flexibility fuel GCC remote work growth
The UAE especially has become a regional hub for remote work, attracting digital nomads and businesses with its visa programs.Uniqlo upgrades net profit forecast
It now expects to make $2.1bn in the year to August.Hamas leader’s family killed in Gaza strike as truce talks drag on
The strike came as talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire and a hostage release deal dragged on without signs of a breakthrough. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, suggested the strike was an attempt to shift Hamas's negotiating stance, but insisted it would not work.ByteDance profits jump 60%
Sales also grew to nearly $120 billion from $80 billion.WTO eyes global trade rebound in 2024 but warns of risks
Geneva, Switzerland -- The World Trade Organization said Wednesday that global trade should rebound this year from an unexpected slump in 2023, but warned that regional conflicts, geopolitical tensions and economic policy uncertainty risked darkening the picture. In its annual trade forecast, the WTO disclosed that world trade volumes unexpectedly declined...Biden says Israel making ‘mistake’ in handling of Gaza war
Biden urged Netanyahu "to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country"Israel strikes Gaza as US says Rafah attack ‘not imminent’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had no indication of an "imminent" Israeli assault on the city, the last in the Gaza Strip yet to be the target of a ground invasion and where around 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering.Germany shares observations on Qatar hosting Autonomous e-Mobility Forum
In its efforts toward sustainable transportation, the German embassy is the first diplomatic representation in Doha to utilize an electric vehicle as a staff car.Iraqi Prime Minister unveils action plan to revitalize local banking sector
The Iraqi government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq, will provide support for local Iraqi banks through foreign institutions and banks.Saudi’s Modon attracts $3.8bn industrial investments in 2023
Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) has announced significant progress in attracting industrial and logistical investments for 2023 which hit SAR14.45 billion ($3.85 billion), according to Trade Arabia. Releasing its annual report for 2023, Modon highlighted the significant progress in attracting investments, developing industrial infrastructure, and promoting...QFZ, AEMOB to drive EV innovation
AEMOB Forum will be held in Qatar from April 30 to May 2Israel deploys C-Dome defence system for the first time
On Monday evening, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported an alert in the area of Eilat, which was targeted in February by intercepted ballistic missile fire from Yemen's Houthi rebels, allies of Palestinian Hamas. "The target was successfully intercepted by the 'C-Dome' naval defence system," it said.Ramadan drives MENA online shopping boom, UAE takes the lead
As Eid Al-Fitr approaches, online shopping is expected to reach new heights, with anticipated growth in categories like flowers, cakes, sweets sets, and themed gift hampers.Iran foreign minister in Syria after consulate strike blamed on Israel
Amir-Abdollahian is set to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad during the visit, while Syria's information ministry said he was to inaugurate a new Iranian consular section. Syria's pro-government newspaper Al-Watan said the officials' talks would be "mainly focused" on repercussions of last week's strike.Six months of bloodshed: the Gaza war in numbers
At least 33,175 people have been killed in the besieged Palestinian territory in Israel's campaign of retaliation for the October 7 attack, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry. At least another 459 Palestinians have been killed in violence in the occupied West Bank.Iran offers no response to Israeli strike, if US-secures Gaza truce: report
The Damascus airstrike targeted the Iranian consulate, resulting in the death of IRGC commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi and several other IRGC officers. Since then, Iran has issued threats of a "harsh response" against Israel.Red Sea Fund opens applications for production cycle
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The prestigious Red Sea Fund has thrown open its doors to filmmakers across Arab and African origins, inviting submissions for its Production Cycle. With the launch of Cycle 2 for the year 2024, the Fund is geared up to support feature-length narrative, documentary, and animation projects....UAE cements position as a top global investment hub in 2024
UAE ascends to 8th on Kearney's 2024 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, affirming its appeal as a prime investment haven, spurred by diversification initiatives and superior infrastructure.Tehran, Baghdad to launch maritime passenger transport line
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran and Iraq will launch the first maritime passenger transport line within the next two months, an official at Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) said. The chief executive of the organization noted that an expert-level meeting was held by the Iraqi side with a focus on...UN food organization raises forecast for world cereal production
Rome, Italy -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, raising its forecast for world cereal production in 2023/24 to 2.841 billion tons, reflecting expectations of greater outputs of maize, rice and wheat. Global cereal utilization in 2023/24...‘Terrible’ Israel-Hamas conflict ‘must end’: UK’s Sunak
The British government on Friday called for "utmost transparency" and a "wholly independent review" into the killing of seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip. The deaths have also heaped pressure on the UK government to suspend arms export licenses to Israel.Israelis rally against Netanyahu as Gaza war reaches half-year mark
Organizers said about 100,000 people converged at a Tel Aviv crossroads renamed "Democracy Square" since mass protests against controversial judicial reforms last year. Chanting "elections now", protesters called for his resignation as the war in Gaza enters its seventh month on Sunday, AFP correspondents reported.Israeli strikes target eastern Lebanon: source close to Hizbollah
Israel and Hizbollah have exchanged near-daily cross-border fire since the Palestinian group Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, triggering the war in Gaza. Hizbollah targets Israeli positions close to the border, while Israel retaliates with raids that go deeper and deeper into Lebanese territory.‘Saudi Arabia leads its regional peers in construction growth’
The burgeoning construction sector in Saudi Arabia is fostering the expansion of its talent pool and consolidating its regional leadership, says Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC, in an interview with TRENDS.US, Russian, Belarusian astronauts return to earth after 14 days in space
Moscow, Russia - A NASA astronaut, a Russian cosmonaut and Belarus's first ever space traveler on Saturday returned to Earth safely after a fortnight aboard the International Space Station, Russia's Roscosmos agency reported. "Today, at 10:17am Moscow time (0717 GMT), the descent vehicle of Sozuz MS-24 manned spacecraft landed near the...Seven children killed in Syria’s as explosive device goes off
Damascus, Syria - Seven children were killed in southern Syria's Daraa province on Saturday when an "explosive device" detonated, state media reported. "Seven children" were killed "and two other people were injured, one of them a woman, when an explosive device planted by terrorists" went off in the city of Sanamayn,...



















































