Saudi, IMF discuss recovery of conflict-affected economies
Saudi, IMF discuss recovery of conflict-affected economies

At the inaugural annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, Saudi Arabias Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) co-hosted a high-level roundtable to address the recovery of conflict-affected economies in the Middle East, with a special focus on Syria. The session...

UK must respect Trump's mandate, new US ambassador says
UK must respect Trump's mandate, new US ambassador says

The United Kingdom (UK) must respect President Donald Trumps strong and clear mandate for change, according to Lord Peter Mandelson, the newly appointed UK ambassador to the US, speaking on his first day in the role. In an interview with the BBC, Lord Mandelson acknowledged that while the UK may...

Arab states oppose Trump's Gaza plan, Egyptian FM tells Rubio
Arab states oppose Trump's Gaza plan, Egyptian FM tells Rubio

Egypts top diplomat informed U.S. Senator Marco Rubio that Arab nations stand united with Palestine in opposing Donald Trumps plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza and take control of the besieged enclave. In a statement, Egypts foreign ministry noted that Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry...

Will rebuild our own restaurants, hotels
Will rebuild our own restaurants, hotels

Gaza citizens said they will rebuild their own seafront restaurants and hotels, dismissing, reports the Reuters. They dismiss US President Donald Trumps vision of creating a Riviera of the Middle East emptied of its population and under US control. Before Israels 15-month offensive left...

Egypt serves as mediator for ceasefire in Gaza
Egypt serves as mediator for ceasefire in Gaza

Egypt is intensifying its efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, prioritizing the release of hostages, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and an end to the ongoing conflict. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed these critical issues with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken...

Inflation, elections, and war defined 2024
Inflation, elections, and war defined 2024

Inflation eased in most global economies in 2024, but voters remained unconvinced. Years of soaring prices for essentials, from eggs to energy, fueled widespread frustration, leading to the downfall of incumbent parties across the world. The lingering pain of inflation made governments an easy...

US, Kuwait discuss solutions for Middle East humanitarian crisis
US, Kuwait discuss solutions for Middle East humanitarian crisis

The United States and Kuwait held critical discussions this week to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. During the sixth U.S.-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, conducted virtually from December 9-11, both nations emphasized the urgent need for ceasefires, increased humanitarian...

Antony Blinken notes ‘Encouraging Signs’ for Gaza ceasefire agreement
Antony Blinken notes ‘Encouraging Signs’ for Gaza ceasefire agreement

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism about progress toward a Gaza ceasefire during his visit to Ankara on Friday. Speaking after a meeting with Turkiyes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Blinken said, We discussed Gaza, and we discussed I think the opportunity... to get a ceasefire...

Israel, US and Turkey launch strikes in Syria to protect interests
Israel, US and Turkey launch strikes in Syria to protect interests

The whole Syria remains in the turmoil situation with the fall of president Bashar al-Assads regime. To take the advantage of situation, countries hit sites across Syria as regional actors in the Middle East scrambled to defend their interests in the country. As rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir...

Dubai to reimpose 30% alcohol sales tax from next month
Dubai to reimpose 30% alcohol sales tax from next month

Dubai will reinstate a 30% municipality tax on alcohol sales starting January 1, 2025, according to several restaurateurs and a communication from alcohol retailer African + Eastern. The announcement was made via email to restaurants and bars, notifying them of the change, reads a Khaleej Times...

Oil slightly firmer ahead of OPEC+ supply decision
Oil slightly firmer ahead of OPEC+ supply decision

Oil prices were mostly stable on Thursday ahead of an OPEC+ meeting later in the day, with investors waiting to see what the producer group would do next on supply cuts while also monitoring geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Brent crude futures rose 6 cents, or 0.08 per cent, to $72.37 a...

UN to convene summit on Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution
UN to convene summit on Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution

Saudi Arabia and France will host a summit in June 2025, aiming to renew efforts toward an Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution. The United Nations hopes to reinvigorate international dialogue on achieving peace in the region, reads a DW report. On Tuesday, the United Nations General Assembly...

Ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah is “very close”
Ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah is “very close”

Citing an unnamed source CNN reported on Sunday that a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Hezbollah is very close. More than 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the uptick in hostilities in mid-September according to a tally of Lebanese health ministry figures,...