Syria revamps interior ministry to reassure West
The interior ministry restructure includes reforms and creating "a modern civil security institution that adopts transparency and respects international human rights standards".
US urges Lebanon leaders to form a government swiftly
State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "We urge those elected and the country's political leaders to heed the Lebanese people's call for change and to work seriously, and with urgency, to take the necessary actions to rescue the economy,"UN expert calls US sanctions on Iran ‘devastating’
An independent United Nations expert said Wednesday that the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran was "devastating", describing them as illegal and urging they be lifted. "During our visit, we were able to identify (the) devastating humanitarian impact of sanctions," said Alena Douhan, the UN special...Blinken offers ‘deep condolences’ to family of Palestinian journalist
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the family of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh after criticizing Israel's use of force at her funeral, an official said Sunday. Blinken, during his flight Saturday to Berlin for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, offered "deep condolences" in a phone...Palestinians honor ‘sister’ Shireen Abu Akleh, reject joint probe
In a sign of Abu Akleh's stature among Palestinians, she received what was described as a full state memorial at the Ramallah compound of president Mahmud Abbas, attended by foreign diplomats and prominent Arab Israeli politicians.Emir of Qatar arrives in Tehran to boost relations
Qatar's ruler met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran Thursday, state television reported, as talks falter on bringing Washington back into a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers. Qatar has added the Iran nuclear dispute to the list of diplomatic hotspots where it has sought to play a...SoftBank posts record loss as tech shares nosedive
Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group on Thursday logged a record annual net loss after a bruising year that saw its assets hit by a US tech share rout and a regulatory crackdown in China. The company reported losses of 1.71 trillion yen ($13.2 billion) in the year to March 2022.Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade in Q1 grows by 15 percent to $16.74 billion
Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022 amounted to AED61.522 billion ($16.74 billion), a 15 percent increase compared to the same period of 2021. Exports grew by 35 percent in the first three months of the year compared to the same period of last year ...Indian rupee falls to new low on inflation fears
The Indian rupee plunged to an all-time low against the greenback on Monday, as US monetary policy tightening roiled sentiment and foreign investors continued to dump domestic stocks. The rupee fell past its previous record low of 76.98 against the US dollar in March to 77.56 on Monday.EU nuclear coordinator to visit Iran this week
The European Union's coordinator for talks between Iran and world powers over restoring a frayed 2015 nuclear deal will visit Tehran this week, Iran's foreign ministry said Monday. The date of Mora's arrival in Iran's capital has not been confirmed, but local press reported he is expected on Tuesday.Dubai ranked first globally in attracting greenfield FDI projects
The emirate attracted 418 greenfield FDI projects, Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said. It ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and third globally, up from fourth place last year, in FDI capital inflows.Companies envision taxis flying above jammed traffic
Companies such as Archer, Joby and Wisk are working on electric-powered aircraft that take off and land vertically like helicopters then propel forward like planes.We oppose expansion of settlements in West Bank: State Dept
The US has said that it opposed Israel’s plans to build new settlements in occupied Palestinian territories after Israeli officials said they would approve 4,000 new housing units in the West Bank.US economy adds 428,000 jobs in April: govt
The United States saw another strong month of hiring in April, with the economy adding a better-than-expected 428,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remaining at a low 3.6 percent.US FDA limits use of J&J Covid vaccine
The US said Thursday only adults who "have personal concerns" about mRNA vaccines, access issues or medical reasons for refusing them may now receive the Johnson & Johnson Covid shot, which has been linked to a rare but serious clotting condition. The vaccine, which was authorized as a single shot,...Saudi-US cooperation to spur growth of digital content market in KSA
Saudi Arabia and United States Minister of IT, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha who is on a visit to the US met the president and COO of Omnicom Media Group Daryl Simm.Saudi Central Bank raises interest rate to curb inflation
In order to curb the soaring inflation in the kingdom, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has raised its main interest rates by 50 basis points, in tandem with the US Federal Reserve decision to hike the rate.Sell seized Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine: EU chief
The EU should confiscate and sell Russian assets it has seized and use the proceeds to rebuild war-scarred Ukraine, EU chief Charles Michel said in an interview published Thursday. He was the first high-ranking EU official to propose the confiscation of oligarchs' assets.India central bank raises interest rate ahead of Fed announcement
India's central bank announced a surprise interest rate hike of 0.4 percentage points on Wednesday, as Asia's third-biggest economy reels from galloping inflation in the wake of the Ukraine war. In its first increase in borrowing costs since August 2018, Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das said it would...Expat remittances from Saudi rise 5 percent to $3.91 bn in March
Personal remittances of expatriates in Saudi Arabia jumped 5 percent year-on-year (YoY) to SR14.7 billion ($3.91 billion) in March. Saudi Gazette, citing data released by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), said that compared to the previous month, remittances from expatriates in Saudi Arabia jumped 31 percent, or SR3.5 billion. The...Stock markets steady awaiting start of Fed meet
Major stock markets mostly steadied Tuesday, with traders braced for a sharp US interest rate hike to curb soaring inflation. All eyes are on the conclusion Wednesday of the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting, where it is expected to lift borrowing costs by half a percentage point for the...KSA not to be blamed for high US energy prices: Turki Al-Faisal
A former Saudi intelligence head has insisted that the kingdom should not be held responsible for the rising energy costs in the US. Prince Turki Al-Faisal said that it was the White House's policy agenda that was behind the increase in prices.NBA, NFL stars invest in Indian cricket franchise
US basketball star Chris Paul and American football players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum have invested in Indian Premier League cricket side the Rajasthan Royals, the franchise said Sunday.Russia admits striking Kyiv during UN chief’s visit
Russia's defense ministry said it had deployed "high-precision, long-range air-based weapons" that "destroyed the production buildings of the Artyom missile and space enterprise in Kyiv".Russia urges US, NATO to halt Kyiv arms supply: state media
Russia's foreign minister urged the US and NATO to stop supplying Kyiv with arms if they are "really interested in resolving the Ukraine crisis", Chinese state media reported Saturday. Months into an invasion that failed in its short-term aim of capturing Kyiv, Moscow is now intensifying operations in Ukraine's eastern...Erdogan tells Putin ‘ready to do more’ to end Ukraine war
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday that Ankara was ready to do more to end the war in Ukraine after helping arrange a Russian-US prisoner swap. The swap took place in Turkey "under the coordination and supervision of the National Intelligence Organization."Videoconferencing hinders creativity, study finds
The pandemic has changed the nature of office work, propelling a massive rise in videoconferencing that looks unlikely to abate as homeworking becomes more entrenched.GM lifts 2022 profit forecast
The automaker now sees 2022 net profit of between $9.6 bn and $11.2 bn.US calls for immediate end to Libya oil shutdowns
The US said Wednesday it was "deeply concerned" about an ongoing closure of key oil installations in Libya, calling for the shutdowns to end "immediately". "The United States is deeply concerned by the continued oil shutdown, which is depriving Libyans of substantial revenue," the US embassy in Tripoli said.Ajman Chamber certificates of origin rise by 29 percent in 2021
The total number of certificates of origin issued by the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) during 2021 increased to 33,175, compared to 25,682 during 2020, achieving a 29 percent growth, said Mohamed Ali Al Janahi, Acting Director-General of ACCI. He said the total value of the products, for...Ukraine vows to fight to the end in Mariupol as ultimatum expires
Ukraine on Sunday vowed to fight to the end in Mariupol after a Russian ultimatum expired for remaining forces to surrender in the Black Sea port city where Moscow is pushing for a major strategic victory. "The city still has not fallen," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said hours after Moscow's...UK court orders Assange’s extradition to US for trial
A UK court on Wednesday issued a formal order to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to face trial over the publication of secret files relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The decision now rests with interior minister Priti Patel, although Assange can still appeal.US firm on nuclear accord as Iran casts blame
US officials warned that Iran's advances could eventually make a return to the JCPOA pointless.Iran says US ‘responsible for delays’ to revive nuclear deal
Iran on Monday said an agreement with world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal was still not in sight, blaming the United States for the delay. "More than one issue is still pending between Iran and the United States," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.FBI accuses North Korea hackers of $620m cryptocurrency heist
The hack, which last month targeted players of the popular game Axie Infinity, was one of the biggest to hit the crypto world, raising huge questions about security in an industry that only recently burst into the mainstream thanks to celebrity promotions and promises of untold wealth.Where Paris hides some of its best art
The Paris contemporary art scene has partly got its mojo back thanks to a slew of new museums, including the Louis Vuitton Foundation and Bourse de Commerce.Yen slides to 20-year low against dollar
The yen hit its lowest level against the dollar in two decades on Wednesday, extending recent falls as the gap widens between Japan's ultra-loose monetary policy and US tightening. One dollar bought 126 yen on Wednesday afternoon, the lowest rate since 2002.Ukraine crisis pushes US inflation to new four-decade high
"The Russia-Ukraine war has added further fuel to the blazing rate of inflation," Kathy Bostjancic of Oxford Economics said.Iran questions US will to reach nuclear talks deal
Tehran on Monday questioned Washington's will in reaching an agreement to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement, with key sticking points unresolved after talks halted last month. Iran has been engaged for a year in negotiations with France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China directly, and the United States indirectly to revive...Global stocks slide on Fed tightening and China prices
Asian stocks posted losses on Monday as unease lingered over tightening monetary policy by the Fed and rising prices in China.Syria again accuses US of stealing oil through Iraq
Syria has over the past few months repeatedly accused the US of using its forces to steal oil from its territories. Operation Inherent Resolve, the US military's operational name for the international military intervention against the Islamic State group, has refuted those claims.US-led forces shoot down armed drone in Iraq
The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq said it shot down Friday an armed drone that targeted an air base, reporting no casualties or damage. The base, which is controlled by Iraq, is located in the desert in the western Anbar province.Civilians try to flee east Ukraine as Russia prepares attack
More than 11 million people in Ukraine have been displaced since Russia invaded on February 24, aiming to seize the capital Kyiv. With that goal thwarted, it is instead trying to create a land link between occupied Crimea and Moscow-backed separatist statelets in Donbas.Iran hands UN nuclear watchdog documents on undeclared sites
Iran on Wednesday said it has sent documents on its undeclared nuclear facilities to the UN atomic watchdog, bringing it a step closer to reviving its 2015 nuclear accord. Iran has restricted some inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which had previously called on Tehran to resolve questions...US, Iran spar over stalled nuclear talks and demands
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that the country's negotiators would not return to Vienna, the site of the year-long talks to restore the nuclear deal — formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — until Washington settles outstanding issues.Iran says agreement in paused Vienna nuclear negotiations ‘close’
Iran has been engaged in negotiations to revive the deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China directly, and the United States indirectly.Iran to face off with US and England in football World Cup
Having fought to win the respect of Iran's football public, Dragan Skocic now has a World Cup showdown with England and a politically charged clash with the United States to cement his international standing.US allies agree to tap emergency oil reserves again
IAE repeated its warning that the prospect of large-scale disruptions to Russian oil production "is threatening to create a global oil supply shock".Qatar World Cup draw pairs Iran and USA
England also found themselves in Group B and will face Iran in their opening game on the tournament's first day, on November 21.Iran reacts with fury over imposition of new US sanctions
Iran criticized the United States for imposing new sanctions on the Islamic republic, saying it shows the Americans harbor bad intentions towards its people.Oil prices sink as US taps reserves, equities fall
President Joe Biden will announce later on Thursday the release of a record million barrels of oil a day for about 180 days from US strategic stockpiles.