Explosive-laden drones hit three oil fields in Iraq’s Kurdistan region
Kurdistan has seen a spate of unclaimed drone attacks, which have come as the regional government and the federal authorities in Baghdad wrangle over control of export revenues from the Kurdistan fields.
Public defies world leaders, rallies to back Palestinians
Global outcry mounts as thousands protest in the US, UK, France, and Germany, defying their governments' support for Israeli aggression and demanding ceasefire in Gaza.Israeli army targets Hizbollah post in Lebanon after cross border firing
Jerusalem - The Israeli military said on Saturday it had struck "two cells" and a Hizbollah post in response to attempted firing from Lebanon as cross-border shelling continued while Israel fights Hamas in Gaza.The latest skirmishes came a day after Hizbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned that the war between Israel...Israel Foreign Ministry denies relations with Bahrain cut off
Dubai, UAE-- A day after Bahrain's parliament announced that its ambassador to Israel is being recalled, the Jewish state said it had not been informed about such a move, adding that relations with the Gulf state were “stable”.According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, the country has not received any “announcement or...Blinken meets Jordan’s king as Gaza war rages
After discussing with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu the idea of "humanitarian pauses" to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and to allow aid into Gaza, he arrived in Amman where he will also join a meeting of foreign ministers of five Arab countries to be attended by a...Elon Musk’s xAI to release first AI model to ‘select group’
WASHINGTON, US - Elon Musk said his new artificial intelligence company would release a new AI model on Saturday to a "select group" of users as he looks to rival industry leaders OpenAI and Google.The release would be the first from Musk's new startup, xAI, that he launched in July after...Hamas ready to swap prisoners with Israel, says official
NEW YORK, US - Hamas is ready for a "complete compromise" deal on the issue of swapping hostages with Israel, Ghazi Hamad, a senior member of the Palestinian group's political bureau, said in an interview with NBC News. “We want these people to go home,” Hamad said. “And, also, we...Iraq event on ‘regional stability’ adjourned over Gaza war
Baghdad, Iraq - An international summit in Baghdad on "regional stability" planned for late November has been postponed due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, an Iraqi official told AFP on Thursday.The third edition of the Baghdad conference "for economic integration and regional stability", co-organised by France, "is postponed until further notice...US sanctions Turkey, China, UAE entities to disrupt Russia war
"Russia is dependent on willing third-country individuals and entities to resupply its military and perpetuate its heinous war against Ukraine and we will not hesitate in holding them accountable," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in a statement. The Treasury added on Thursday that Russia has been exploiting "otherwise legitimate economic...Political and tech leaders tackle AI safety at inaugural summit
London, United Kingdom – UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday hosts political and tech leaders at the inaugural global AI safety summit, predicting the technology will radically alter society for generations to come.The release of ChatGPT and other generative AI systems, which are capable of quickly producing text, images...Biden voices support for humanitarian ‘pause’ in Israel-Hamas war
The 80-year-old Democrat was delivering remarks to some 200 supporters in the northern US state when a member of the audience shouted out to him. "As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now," she said, referring to the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas. The...Gulf central banks mimic US Fed, maintain interest rates
The UAE's central bank has kept its Base Rate for the Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) unchanged at 5.40 percent. It is closely tied to the US Federal Reserve's Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB), reflecting the general stance of the CBUAE's monetary policy. Qatar Central Bank too has maintained its current...Iran urges Muslim nations to suspend trade with Israel
The bombing campaign by Israel in Gaza has killed more than 8,500 people, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.US curbs on Iran’s oil exports may hit global portfolios
The US tightening sanctions on Iranian oil could have a negative impact on individual and institutional investment portfolios by disrupting the energy sector, contributing to inflationary pressures, and intensifying geopolitical risks. You need to be aware of the risks – but also the opportunities, he adds.China’s share of global manufacturing jobs to rise by 2050: study
The Asian giant's share of global manufacturing jobs will rise to 43 percent of the total by that year -- making China one of the only countries to see growth in such jobs during that time, according to a study by the Washington-based Center for Global Development. Major Western economies...Israel targets Syrian ‘military infrastructure’ in airstrikes
A string of attacks have been carried out against US forces in Iraq and Syria as well as increasing exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the Lebanon border since the Gaza conflict began. Late Sunday, the Israeli military said it was striking "Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon".Federal Reserve likely to pause interest rate hikes
The Federal Reserve will likely announce it is holding interest rates at a 22-year high on Wednesday, as it looks to tackle inflation without damaging the resilient US economy. Analysts and traders parsing recent Fed speeches overwhelmingly expect the US central bank to hold rates steady for the second meeting...Capital flows to emerging markets facing short-term headwinds: QNB
Doha, Qatar--Qatar National Bank (QNB) said that the global macro trends are starting to present short-term challenges to emerging markets (EM), weighing on capital flows.In its weekly commentary, QNB said, "Late last year and early this year, emerging markets (EM) started to benefit from significant tailwinds, driven by the economic...Relations sour between Turkey and Israel after Erdogan’s speech
Israel and Turkey -- an overwhelmingly Muslim nation that forms the bulwark of NATO defenses on the edge of the Middle East -- had only just agreed to reappoint ambassadors last year. But their relations unraveled as Erdogan began to pick up the pace and venom of his attacks on...ICRC chief urges end to ‘catastrophic’ Gaza suffering
Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the ICRC spoke of her shock at the " intolerable level of human suffering" and called for a de-escalation. She said that it is a "catastrophic failing" that the world must not tolerate as Israel said its war on Hamas had entered a new phase.US supports ‘humanitarian pauses’ to let aid into Gaza
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US supports pauses in Israel's war against Hamas in order to let aid to flow into the Gaza Strip. He said the aid can include fuel needed for the restoration of electrical power, medical care, water purification and "so many...Intel beats earnings expectations
Net income of US chip giant tallied $300 million.Positive trial for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-flu jab
Berlin, Germany - Germany's BioNTech and US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on Thursday announced "positive" results from initial trials of their combined mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 and influenza.Phase one and two trials of the vaccine had produced "robust immune responses" against both illnesses and showed a "safety profile consistent with the safety...Volvo Cars posts profit
Its operating profit shot up to US$400m for the third quarter.Gunman kills 22 in mass shooting in Maine, US
The county sheriff's department asked people to lock down or close their business while "we investigate." The gunman is still at large. According to City Councilor Robert McCarthy, the death toll had climbed to 22 in the shooting spree at a bowling alley and also at least one other location,...Global tech collaboration can benefit all: Expert
The ongoing US-China technological decoupling is likely to harm global capabilities, Chinese Professor Wu Xiabo tells TRENDS in an interview.Boeing posts Q3 loss
The firm trims full-year forecast for deliveries of the 737.Turkey and Qatar reject ‘double standards’ in Gaza response
Qatar's top diplomat Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said the two governments -- both Western allies -- "reaffirm our complete rejection of responding to the crisis with double standards when it comes to human life". "It is not permissible to condemn the killing of civilians in one context and justify it...Markets up, oil down as investors eye Middle East situation
Oil slid but most world stock markets rose in anticipation of a raft of strong US corporate earnings, even as economic and geopolitical fears still dog sentiment ahead of this week's eurozone interest rate decision. Volatile US Treasury yields had affected stock trading on Monday in the United States.General Motors Q3 profit surge
Revenues rose five percent to $44.1 billion, the company said.UN General Assembly to discuss Israel-Hamas war on Thursday
Many states including Jordan on behalf of an Arab group of nations, Russia, Syria, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Combodia formally requested General Assembly president to schedule the meeting. The UN Security Council, regularly divided on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, rejected a Russian draft resolution last week calling for a "humanitarian pause."Markets fall as traders wary due to Gaza war, Fed interest rates
Paris, France - Stock markets slid on Monday, extending last week's sell-off n fears of a regional conflict in the Middle East and worries that US interest rates will remain elevated for longer than initially thought.The concerns about US interest rates have also been affecting bond markets, with the yield on...Chevron to acquire Hess
Chevron last year posted a record profit of $35.5 billion.Biden discusses Mideast war with Western allies: White House
The White House statement the Western leaders voiced commitment to coordinate "to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care, and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs." They also pledged close diplomatic coordination "to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work...US troops enhance presence in Middle East due to ‘escalations’
The United States warned against any "escalation" in the Middle East in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region. The US has seen a "prospect of escalation of attacks on our troops"...Russia seeks new Security Council meeting on Gaza war
It has repeatedly called for talks on ending the conflict, which has risked undermining its growing ties with Iran and complicated its relations with long-time partner Israel. President Vladimir Putin spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as Iranian and Arab leaders earlier this week in the hope...Iraq airbase hosting US troops hit by suicide drone
Since Wednesday, three Iraqi bases used by US-led coalition troops have been targeted in five separate attacks -- Ain al-Assad, the Al-Harir base in northern Iraq and a military camp near Baghdad airport. The United States currently has about 2,500 troops stationed at the three bases, alongside around 1,000 soldiers...Mediation will lead to Hamas hostage releases very soon: Qatar
Berlin, Germany--Qatar, a key power in the efforts to release hostages seized by Hamas from Israel, believes they can be released "very soon" thanks to ongoing discussions, a Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman told the German Welt am Sonntag newspaper Saturday.Doha's mediation played a key role in the release on Friday evening...US urges parties to keep Rafah crossing open for aid into Gaza
Saturday's was the first such delivery since the war broke out two weeks ago between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Palestinian enclave of 2.4 million people. President Joe Biden said in a statement that the opening of "this essential supply route was the result of days of diplomatic engagement...US welcomes aid in Gaza, urges parties to keep Rafah crossing open
Washington, US - The United States on Saturday welcomed the arrival of aid trucks from Egypt in the war-torn Gaza Strip, and urged all parties to keep the Rafah crossing open.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged "all parties to keep the Rafah crossing open to enable the continued movement of...Rockets fired at US army in Iraq, no casualty reported
Baghdad, Iraq - US troops stationed at two bases in Iraq have been targeted with rocket attacks that caused no casualties, US and Iraqi military sources said Friday, against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war.Armed factions close to Iran have threatened to attack US interests in Iraq over Washington's support for...GCC and ASEAN denounce Gaza attack, urge permanent ceasefire
The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also called for the release of some 200 hostages held by Hamas, as well as the restoration of basic services for Palestinians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.Moody’s puts Israel’s credit ratings on review for downgrade
Moody's announced that it was putting a number of the Israeli government's credit ratings on review for a downgrade, including its long-term foreign-currency and local-currency ratings, because of the war. "Israel's credit profile has proven resilient to terrorist attacks and military conflict in the past," it said.EU president says Egypt needs support to handle fleeing Gazans
"Egypt needs support, so let's support Egypt," said Michel, who is in Washington to attend a summit with US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday. He added that he would meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during his weekend visit.US troops attacked in Middle East amid fears of widening war
Washington, United States - US military forces in the Middle East have faced multiple threats from drone attacks in Middle East, Washington Post reported today. A US Navy destroyer in the Red Sea successfully intercepted a salvo of cruise missiles and drones launched toward Israel from Yemen. These actions come...Egypt to open Gaza crossing for up to 20 aid trucks: Joe Biden
US president said the aid convoy would be allowed to go into Gaza from the Rafah crossing in a first batch of humanitarian aid. According to him, the shipment would likely not cross until Friday as the road at the crossing needed repairs. It became possible only after Egypt's president...Israel to allow food, water and medicine only in Gaza via Egypt
"In light of (US) President (Joe) Biden's demand, Israel would not foil the supply of humanitarian aid via Egypt," the prime minister's office said, announcing a cabinet decision. The statement noted that aid to civilians in the southern Gaza Strip would be allowed "so long as these supplies do not...US authorizes non-essential embassy staff to leave Lebanon
Following Hezbollah's call, hundreds of demonstrators scuffled Tuesday night with Lebanese security forces outside the US embassy in the Beirut suburb of Awkar, where protesters hurled stones and set a building on fire, according to AFP correspondents. Palestinian refugee camps in the southern cities of Sidon and Tyre erupted in...Qatar signs 27-year gas deal with UK’s Shell
Last year Shell inked a deal with QatarEnergy for a 9.4% stake in Qatar's North Field South project, the second phase in the expansion of the world's largest gas field, extending under the Gulf into Iranian territory. Later it also agreed to a 6.25% share in the first phase of...UN chief slams ‘collective punishment’ of Palestinians
Antonio Guterres, speaking at an economic forum in China, condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed more than 1,400 people as "acts of terror" that could not be justified. "But those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," Guterres said. He urged Israel to...Markets fall as Biden set for Middle East diplomacy drive
US and European stock markets mostly fell and oil prices rose as US President Joe Biden prepared for a trip to the Middle East aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas conflict spreading across the region. Investors also weighed another raft of company earnings and rising interest rates.