Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh terms Gaza ceasefire ‘political victory’
Dubai, UAE--Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has called the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip a political victory at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Doha. "The ceasefire is a political victory achieved as a result of the success of the resistance forces on the ground. Our enemy...‘Sustainable aviation fuel roadmap required urgently’
"The global air transport sector has rebounded to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels of 2019, with some countries already surpassing these levels," he adds, anticipating this upward trend to persist, underscoring the sector's robust recovery and ongoing growth trajectory.For a diaspora soccer club in Chile, ‘Palestine exists’
Santiago, Chile - Thousands of miles from the Middle East, in a stadium in Santiago, Chile, the nation of Palestine exists, if only for the 90 minutes of a soccer match. Chileans and Palestinians created that alternate reality again on Thursday when Club Deportivo Palestino, which traces its origins to Palestinian...Gaza focus as French foreign minister meets China’s PM, FM
Beijing has this year sought to play a greater role in the Middle East, facilitating a historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and sending an envoy to the region to push for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.39 Palestinians freed in exchange for 13 Israeli hostages as truce sets in
Weeks of talks involving Israel, Hamas, Qatar, Egypt and the US saw three girls and a boy, aged from two to nine besides six women aged over 70 arrive in Israeli territory.Gaza war: Israel stares at $48 billion in expenses
Dubai, UAE - The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza could result in a significant economic toll for Israel, with estimations pointing to a potential cost of $48 billion over the current and upcoming year, Turkey's Anadolu Agency reports. Yali Rotenberg, the chief accountant at the Israeli Ministry of Finance, was...Israel-Hamas truce begins, hostages to be released
An Egyptian security source told AFP that Israeli security officials, International Red Cross-Red Crescent staff and an Egyptian team would deploy to Rafah, on the Egypt-Gaza border, to receive the hostages, who will then be flown to Israel. AFP has confirmed the identities of 210 of the roughly 240 people...Tunisian artist Hend Sabri quits WFP to protest against Gaza crisis
Cairo, Egypt - Tunisian film star Hend Sabri has resigned as World Food Program goodwill ambassador in protest at what she called the use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. Sabri, a leading figure in Arab cinema, said that she had decided with "a heavy heart and deep...Aid-truck drivers hope truce will end long wait to enter Gaza
After tedious days marked by idle chitchat and dreary diets of beans and instant coffee, the men, all Egyptians, took some comfort in news that more fuel and other essentials may soon be allowed in as part of a four-day truce that could begin as soon as Friday. But it...Gaza exposed double standards, selective application of international law: Saudi Arabia
exposed the double standards and selective application of international laws and UN resolutions by the global community. Representing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi finance minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said that the Israeli invasion of the besieged Gaza was in flagrant violation of international laws and it had led to...Social media plays key role in shaping online trading
"The rapid pace and fervor surrounding social media have introduced volatility into financial markets, leading to instances where stocks, particularly 'Meme stocks,' become overvalued as investors chase short-term gains. Notably, Reddit's r/WallStreetBets played a pivotal role in amplifying this trend," she adds.Two people killed in car explosion at US-Canada border
Two people have been killed as a result of a car explosion at the Rainbow Bridge at the US-Canada border near Niagara Falls. The explosion happened on the US side of the border. Terrorism link is being investigated. It could be a reckless driver, sources say.Does Anghami and OSN+ collab make financial sense?
A first of its kind in the region, the combination will offer consumers digital services of the best and latest in premium movies, TV shows, music, podcasts.Is Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza a genocide or not?
Some world leaders like Ramaphosa and Erdogan use the term genocide to describe Israeli actions in Gaza. Israel has also been accused of war crimes by rights organizations.‘First good news’: World welcomes Gaza hostage deal
US President Joe Biden thanked the leaders of Qatar and Egypt for their "critical leadership" in reaching the deal. "I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls… will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented," Biden said, referring to the hostages.Displaced Gazans search for warm clothes as cold draws in
When Khulud Jarboueh and her children fled their home in the northern Gaza Strip under Israeli bombardment in early October, the young ones were wearing just shorts and T-shirts. The heat of late summer still lingered then. But now she rummages through piles of clothing looking for something to keep...Israel, Hamas agree four-day truce, 50 hostages to be released
Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed the deal, saying that "a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons" would be released in exchange for the hostages. "The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension," the...Global ESG assets poised to reach $53 trillion by 2025
"This significant growth is driven by a combination of factors, including the impact of the pandemic and the sustainable recovery initiatives in the United States, European Union, and China,” she adds, highlighting that investors are increasingly applying non-financial factors to analyze and identify material risks and growth opportunities.Top diplomats of some OIC countries arrive in Russia, to discuss Gaza
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Palestine and the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have arrived here to discuss the Gaza Strip with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a diplomatic source told TASS. "They have arrived, the meeting will start...Close to reaching truce deal with Israel: Ismail Haniyeh
Qatar's prime minister said that a deal to free some of the hostages in return for a temporary ceasefire hinged on "minor" practical issues. Under the tentative deal, between 50 and 100 Israeli civilian and foreign hostages would be released, but no military personnel. In exchange, about 300 Palestinians would...AI, Industry 4.0 transform Middle East manufacturing
"As we look ahead, the manufacturing landscape is set to continue evolving, navigating through the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) environment. This evolution goes beyond merely boosting productivity. It's about fostering innovation, sustainability, and shaping a future that melds human creativity with technological advancement," he adds.Strains emerge in 72-year-old Türkiye-Israel trade ties
Amid Ankara's criticism of Israel's actions against Gaza and Israel reassessing diplomatic relations, the future of their oil and steel economic partnership becomes uncertain.Israeli strike on hospital kills 12 people, says Gaza health ministry
Dubai, UAE--The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Monday 12 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in the north of the Palestinian territory. The 12, including wounded patients and their companions, "were killed and dozens wounded as a result of the Israeli occupation targeting...World must ‘act urgently’ to stop humanitarian crisis in Gaza: China FM
Following the outbreak of the war last month, Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang, called for an immediate ceasefire and a "cooling down" of the situation. China has historically been sympathetic to the Palestinians and supportive of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Israel expands Gaza operation as hostage deal inches closer
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas and to free around 240 people taken hostage by the fighters during the worst attack in its history, most of them Israeli citizens but also dozens of foreigners. On Sunday, Qatari mediators said they were inching closer to a deal to free some of...Israel has suffered defeat in its war against Hamas: Khamenei
Speaking at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aerospace force centre in the capital Tehran, Khamenei said "the defeat of the Zionist regime in Gaza is a fact." Israel has relentlessly been pounding the Gaza Strip since Hamas's attack, killing more than 12,300 people in the narrow Palestinian territory, including more...Gaza conflict casts shadow on Israel’s gas industry
War with Palestinians disrupts Israel's gas exports, causing economic losses and altering energy strategies.Gaza, West Bank should be ‘reunited’ under Palestinian Authority: Biden
Israel's top ally Washington has given its full backing to the country's response to the October 7 shock attack by Hamas, which left 1,200 dead, mostly civilians. But as the death toll from Israel's military campaign in Gaza continues to climb, US has voiced concerns over the manner of the...AI, NLP transform business operations in Gulf region
AI and NLP are revolutionizing workplace efficiency by enabling employees to swiftly access essential information, thereby augmenting customer and personal convenience. Invisible virtual assistants streamline tasks, such as directly emailing the service desk for ticket creation or speeding up purchase requisitions and expenses, he adds.WHO calls Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital death zone
The UN health agency said that it led an assessment mission to the hospital and determined it was a "death zone", calling for a full evacuation. It said that the agency is developing plans for the immediate evacuation of the remaining patients, staff and their families, adding that 291 patients...EU chief says union against ‘forced displacement’ of Palestinians
Cairo, Egypt - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday said she was opposed to the "forced displacement of Palestinians" during a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Von der Leyen "thanked Egypt for its key role in providing and facilitating humanitarian aid to vulnerable Palestinians",...Palestinian refugees in Lebanon fear for their families in Gaza
Beirut, Lebanon - In a ramshackle Palestinian refugee camp here, Hayat Shehadeh wrings her hands as she watches the Israel-Hamas war. Her daughter is in Gaza, and she has not spoken to her for a week. "I can't sleep. I get up at 3:00 am... I go to watch the television,"...First fuel consignment enters Gaza as Israel bows to pressure
As UN warns of an increasingly desperate situation for 2.4m Palestinians and pleaded for a ceasefire, the first delivery of fuel arrived from Egypt on late Friday. At the same time, Israel carried on its offensive, combing Gaza's largest hospital. It has vowed to "crush" Hamas in response to the...Palestinian issue has only two-state solution: Erdogan
Ahead of his trip to Germany, Erdogan ramped up his verbal attacks against Israel, calling it a "terror state" and alleging the West was "trying to exonerate the murderers". In Berlin, Erdogan denied that his attacks against Israel were anti-Semitic, saying that he had "fought against anti-Semitism.US concerned over hospital strikes after Jordan’s Gaza facility hit
Washington, which provides significant military aid to Israel, has given unwavering support to its top Middle East ally since the October 7 attack by Hamas, saying Israel has the right to defend itself. However, the US side has started voicing concerns over the methods of Israel's military operations. and civilian...Gaza and Ukraine: Two sides of the Western bias
The US President Joe Biden's recent statements on the ongoing Gaza conflict, especially his assertions about Hamas' headquarters and the nature of Israeli actions, raise questions about the consistency and basis of the United States' foreign policy narrative, adds the New Delhi-based political commentator.UN chiefs reject unilateral proposals to create ‘safe zones’ in Gaza
Geneva, Switzerland - The heads of numerous United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations said on Thursday they would not take part in Gaza "safe zones" declared by only one side in the conflict. "As humanitarian leaders, our position is clear: We will not participate in the establishment of any 'safe...EU chief asks Israel not to be consumed by rage in Gaza
Kibbutz Beeri, Israel - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday called for Gaza hostages to be immediately freed, but asked Israel "not to be consumed by rage" in its battle with Hamas. "I ask for their immediate and unconditional release," Borrell said on a visit to a kibbutz community targeted...UN official calls for probe over human rights violations in Israel-Hamas war
Geneva, Switzerland - The UN human rights chief on Thursday decried serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested an international investigation was needed. Volker Turk said "extremely serious allegations of multiple and profound breaches of international humanitarian law, whoever commits them, demand rigorous investigation and full...UN Security Council calls for ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Gaza
The resolution, prepared by Malta and adopted with 12 votes in favor, "calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days" to allow aid to reach civilians in the besieged territory. The text raises the question of how many days...Qatar calls for international probe into Israeli raids on Gaza hospitals
Israeli forces raided and then combed through Al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, before withdrawing and redeploying around its outskirts, a journalist trapped inside the facility told AFP. Israel accuses Palestinian militants of using the compound for military purposes, which Hamas has denied.Gaza cancer patients fly to Turkey for treatment
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 27 patients had been flown to Turkey from Egypt, along with 13 companions, without specifying whether these were doctors or family members. He also said that Turkey was waiting for Egypt's permission to open its first field hospital at the Rafah crossing.Israel’s regional ties strained amid Gaza conflict
Escalating Middle East tensions and Netanyahu's policies affect Israel's ties with Egypt and Jordan amid Arab concerns over civilian casualties and Palestinian displacement.Iran urges UN to deliver aid quickly in desperate Gaza
"The amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is very small and almost zero, and it is necessary for the United Nations to take immediate and serious action in this regard," Amir-Abdollahian said in a meeting in Geneva with UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths.Erdogan calls Israel a ‘terror state’ before his Germany visit
ANKARA, TURKEY - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called Israel a "terror state", stepping up his condemnation of the spiralling civilian toll of its war against Hamas in Gaza. Erdogan's latest -- and one of the most heated -- verbal attacks against Israel came two days before he plans...Russia-UAE economic ties strengthen with $9bn trade
The streamlined IP processes, including efficient patent registration and robust litigation frameworks, are key factors contributing to this thriving bilateral trade. In 2022, the Russia-UAE economic relationship reached new heights with a 22% increase in trade turnover, amounting to approximately $9 billion, they add.Israeli troops storm Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital
Israel has repeatedly claimed that Hamas uses the hospital as cover for a command post and weapons stores, a claim Hamas denies. That use "jeopardizes" the hospital's "protected status under international law", the military said, a claim that many international human rights lawyers refute.Black Friday is a $74bn opportunity for MENA retail. But is it losing sheen by ‘blindly copying’ the West?
The expected injection of billions of dollars into the retail business through sale of varied items can turn out to be a much-needed boost for a sector experiencing "sales fatigue."Israeli army kills eight Palestinians in occupied West Bank
The Israeli army said its forces conducted "counterterrorism activities" in the city, during which "engineering vehicles uncovered explosive devices planted on routes to attack the forces". "In addition, soldiers questioned and apprehended wanted suspects, and during exchanges of fire with armed assailants, a number of the assailants were killed," the...179 Palestinians buried in ‘mass grave’ at Gaza hospital complex
A journalist inside the hospital who is collaborating with AFP said the stench of decomposing bodies was everywhere in the facility. The situation in Gaza's other hospitals is also dire, with the UN saying 22 of 36 are not functional due to lack of generator fuel, damage and combat.



















































