Ismail Haniyeh said that the Israeli actions at Al-Shifa Medical Complex "confirm their intent to obstruct the recovery of life in Gaza and dismantle essential aspects of human existence." He said deliberate targeting of government officials in Gaza illustrates "their efforts to sow chaos".

During Ramadan, GCC residents are using digital tools that are enhancing the observance of this sacred month, offering new ways to connect, learn, and shop.

Beirut, Lebanon - Israeli raids hit warehouses storing weapons for the Lebanese Hizbollah group in Syria Tuesday, a war monitor said, as a Syrian military source said air defenses had intercepted several missiles. Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes in Syria since civil war broke out in 2011, targeting Iran-backed...

Washington, United States - The US Federal Reserve began two days of discussions on Tuesday at which policymakers are expected to hold firm on interest rates, and continue discussions about when to start cutting them. The meeting got under way in Washington at 9am local time (1300 GMT) on Tuesday, the...

The $2.4bn deal is its latest expansion into cancer treatments.

The annual State of the Climate report by the UN weather and climate agency confirmed preliminary data showing 2023 was by far the hottest year ever recorded. And last year capped off "the warmest 10-year period on record", the World Meteorological Organization said, with even hotter temperatures expected.

ACWA was the sole financial advisor to Al Dur Phase II IWPP project company.

"The situation of hunger, starvation and famine is a result of Israel’s extensive restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, displacement of most of the population, as well as the destruction of crucial civilian infrastructure," UN human rights chief Volker Turk said.

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The assets of Islamic banks operating in the UAE exceeded AED 700 billion ($190 billion) for the first time in history at the end of 2023, according to the latest statistics from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The statistics showed that the assets of...

MUSCAT, OMAN – The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has announced that the total issuance of Treasury Bills amounted to US$181 million (RO 70 million) this week. According to the Oman News Agency (ONA), the value of the allotted Treasury Bills amounted to US$12.9 million (RO 5 million) for a...

Moscow, Russia -- Russia is working to establish a visa-free regime with all Gulf countries, said Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister and special presidential representative for the Middle East and African countries. "In principle, such work is going on systematically. Because, of course, I think it is in the...

Widespread internet and smartphone use is the key driver of online shopping growth, with nearly two-thirds of the UAE's population expected to engage in online shopping by 2024.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi EXIM Bank has given credit facilities amounting to SAR16.5 billion ($4.455 billion), surpassing the planned target of SAR12.4 billion ($3.348 billion) by 33%. They represented 5.2% of the total credit facilities for non-oil exports in the Kingdom. Saudi EXIM Bank disbursed a total of...

Blinken will hold talks with Saudi leaders in Jeddah on Wednesday before travelling to Cairo on Thursday for talks with Egyptian authorities, spokesman Matthew Miller said from the Philippines, where Blinken is touring. -This will be Blinken's sixth trip to the Middle East since the start of the war.

“Oman is emerging as a standout in the regional crypto mining landscape, highlighted by its support of Exahertz, an Omani mining company. A significant investment of $1.1 billion is set to deploy over 800 megawatts, boosting Oman's role in the Bitcoin mining sector,” she adds, amid predictions for Bitcoin to...

Pointing to the still paltry share of renewable energy in global supply, the head of Saudi Aramco described the current energy transition strategy as a misguided failure on Monday. "In the real world, the current transition strategy is visibly failing on most fronts," Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said...

The company also announced other AI developments.

The move is one of the clearest attempts yet by Biden to rein in the key US ally, amid fears that the already huge death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza could be drastically worsened by a full attack on Rafah. Roughly 1.5 million people are sheltering in Rafah, most...

Abu Dhabi, UAE - United Arab Emirates has announced a provision of a monthly financial allowance equivalent to 50 percent of the basic salary for all mosque staff, including imams and muezzins working under the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE). Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of...

United States Central Command forces operated "in self-defense" when they engaged and destroyed the anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as three weapons storage containers in Houthi-controlled areas, CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X, the former Twitter.

Saudi Arabia's financial market is on an upward trajectory, fueled by substantial foreign investments and strategic economic diversification under Vision 2030.

BEIJING, CHINA – Chinese regulators will ban the chairman of property giant Evergrande from the securities market for life on grounds of financial fraud, a subsidiary of the company said on Monday. Heavily indebted Evergrande has become a potent symbol of the years-long crisis in China's property market, a crucial pillar...

DUBAI, UAE – Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum chaired the 81st meeting of DSCE, which was held virtually. The Council reviewed updates of the demand side management strategy for 2030 and 2050, which set well-studied goals to reduce water and electricity...

The firm said the total dividend for 2023 will be S120 million.

Hong Kong, China - Asian markets mostly rose Monday following US gains and ahead of a Chinese legislative session where Beijing's annual growth target and other key policies will be announced. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index surpassed the 40,000 mark for the first time, with analysts predicting it could advance even...

The financial assistance includes "$3 billion for financial support to Government’s programs and $3 billion for the private sector (including mobilization) – subject to Board approval," it added. Egypt, the Arab world's most populous nation, is in dire need of financial help as it weathers a severe economic crisis marked...

In 2023, the firm demonstrated strong financial results.

Seoul, South Korea - As a US campaign to sever TikTok from its Chinese parent heads to the Senate, analysts say Beijing's response to a forced sale of the app -- and its 'secret sauce' algorithm -- will be clear: Hands off. Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives...

Methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry have risen for three consecutive years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), hitting near record highs in 2023.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – VASI Shipping Pte Ltd has introduced a new shipping service IMS at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, connecting the Kingdom to Southeast Asia and India, Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) announced. This service aims to enhance its strategic partnerships with major international shipping lines, support the maritime...

ADNOC will supply 1 million mtpa of LNG to SEFE Singapore.

Varadkar has been one of Europe's most critical leaders over Israel's campaign in Gaza, which began when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on the southern part of the country.

Dubai, UAE -- Nearly 50 percent of the Multinational Corporations (MNCs) that opened businesses in Dubai during 2023 are based in Asia and Australia, according to the Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers. The Chamber said in a statement that growing...

The talks in the Qatari capital are the first after weeks of intense negotiations involving Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators failed to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last week. Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has carried out a relentless...

Oxfam said in a report that Israel continued to "systematically and deliberately block and undermine any meaningful international humanitarian response" in the Palestinian territory. It alleged that Israel was defying an order by the ICJ in January to boost aid in Gaza, and was failing its legal responsibility to protect...

Lyon, France--Vatel Hotel and Tourism Business School Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EKLYA School of Business in France to launch a student exchange programme between Bahrain and France aimed at bolstering academic and cultural ties between the two countries. This initiative affirms the joint commitment to strengthen...

Al-Shifa is the Gaza Strip's largest hospital. The Israeli army had in November last year carried out an operation in the complex, sparking an international outcry. Witnesses in Gaza City told AFP the Al-Rimal neighborhood, where Al-Shifa is located, had been hit by air strikes.

"This underscores our role in fostering development and regional and global cooperation, aiming to provide an economic model for all to emulate. The Emirati model demonstrates that economic prosperity is essential for a successful society and crucial for enhancing the quality of life of its citizens," he added.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The capital city of Riyadh is abuzz with excitement as preparations are underway for the premiere performance of the highly anticipated opera, "Zarqa Al-Yamama." Scheduled to debut on April 25 at the prestigious theater of the King Fahd Cultural Center, the opera is poised to make...

Baku, Azerbaijan--NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday stressed the need to fight global warming, and called climate change a "crisis multiplier" with implications for global security. He made the remarks during a press conference in Baku along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, whose energy-rich country is set to host the...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The UAE banking sector continued its growth momentum last year and is poised for further growth and recovery in 2024, thanks to the success of the Central Bank of the UAE's (CBUAE) strategies and policies in setting the necessary frameworks and regulations to deliver sustainable growth for the...

International education is evolving in the Gulf region amid unique challenges and strengths, Rania Hussein, Deputy Head at the Swiss International School Dubai, tells TRENDS.

The oil ministry and Iranian businesses signed deals worth $13 billion to increase daily oil production in six major fields. The deals have been labelled as Iran's "biggest oil contracts in the past decade" that are aimed to add 350,000 barrels per day to the Islamic republic's daily production.

Israel has repeatedly threatened a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, where people shelter in tents crammed up against the Egyptian border. UN World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged against a military operation there, "in the name of humanity".

JERUSALEM – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday called for a deal to free hostages held in war-ravaged Gaza accompanied by a "longer-lasting ceasefire", as warring parties geared up for more talks. "We need a hostage deal with a longer-lasting ceasefire," Scholz said during a joint press appearance in Jerusalem...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send ground forces into Gaza's southern Rafah city. The right-wing premier, whose security and war cabinets were also due to discuss latest international efforts towards a truce deal, stressed that "no amount of international pressure will stop us from realizing all the goals...

Iran sealed contracts worth billions of dollars with domestic companies to boost its oil production in the face of Western sanctions. In a ceremony broadcast on state TV, the oil ministry and Iranian businesses signed deals worth $13 billion to increase daily oil production in six major fields.

Damascus, Syria -- Visiting United Nations special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen urged Damascus Sunday to rejoin talks to revise the country's constitution, warning that political dialogue was going "in the wrong direction". Syria's war, which began 13 years ago with the repression of pro-democracy protests, has killed more than 500,000...

DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA – With the increase in passenger traffic during Ramadan, the General Directorate of Passports is ramping up efforts to handle the increased number of arrivals at King Fahd Causeway and King Fahd International Airport here. The directorate's officers in Dammam are utilizing modern technology to expedite procedures...

AUSTIN, US – For people at the trend-setting tech festival here, the scandal that erupted after Google's Gemini chatbot cranked out images of Black and Asian Nazi soldiers was seen as a warning about the power artificial intelligence can give tech titans. Google CEO Sundar Pichai last month slammed as "completely...