Author: Steven Sahiounie

SINGAPORE: Oil prices were little changed in Asian trade on Friday but were on track for a fourth straight week of gains and holding near their highest levels since late April on hopes of strong summer fuel demand and some supply concerns, according to Reuters.

His Majesty King Abdullah II has sent a cable to Sir Keir Starmer, congratulating him on taking office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after the Labour Party’s win in the House of Commons elections. In the cable, His Majesty expressed keenness on advancing the strategic partnership and deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the United Kingdom, wishing the new prime minister success, and the people of the UK continued progress and prosperity. Source: Petra News Agency

Israel’s spy chief held talks with Qatari mediators on Friday in the latest effort for a truce and hostage release deal for Gaza, almost nine months into the Israel-Hamas war.A source with knowledge of the negotiations said Mossad chief David Barnea and his delegation had left Doha straight after the meetings on the latest Hamas ideas for an agreement.No public statement was issued after the talks.The US, which has worked alongside Qatar and Egypt in trying to broker a deal, had talked up the significance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to send a delegation to Qatar.The US believes…

Luna Shibl, an adviser to Syrian president Bashar Assad, died on Friday three days after she was involved in a car accident, the office of the president said. “The presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic mourns the death of the adviser Luna Al-Shibl, who passed away today after a serious car accident,” it said in a statement. “She served in recent years as a director of the political and media office of the presidency and then as a special adviser to the presidency,” it added. State media reported on Tuesday that Shibl was involved in a traffic accident on Yaa’four Road in…

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Moscow with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the first Western leader to visit Russia since April 2022. The key issue of the discussions between the two leaders was Ukrainian settlement and the resumption of broad dialogue. According to Putin, Russia is seeking an end to hostilities in Ukraine, but Kiev and its sponsors derail all peace proposals. Orban stated that the search for a peaceful solution should continue. TASS has put together the highlights of the visit of the Hungarian prime minister to Moscow. Putin on Ukraine-related peace initiatives Russia remains open to…

President Mahmoud Abbas today congratulated Britain’s new prime minister Keir Starmer after his Labour Party won the UK general election in a landslide victory. President Abbas congratulated Starmer on the Labour Party’s win in the UK General election as well as on his official appointment by King Charles III as the new prime minister and tasking him with forming the next government. President Abbas conveyed his heartfelt greetings to Starmer and wished that he would fulfil the aspirations of the British people. He expressed his hope that Starmer would continue to develop and promote friendly Palestinian-UK relations in a manner…

Rwanda’s Finance Ministry said on Friday that South Korea has awarded it $1 billion in concessionary loans to fund projects in several sectors including transport, healthcare, and education.

The memorandum seeks to support the economy in agriculture and rural development and to collaborate on utilizing modern technologies

Goldman Sachs raised United Kingdom’s 2025 and 2026 economic growth forecasts on Friday by 0.1 percentage point respectively

RIYADH — A Royal decree has been issued to grant Saudi citizenship to a number of scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished talents with unique expertise and specializations, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.The announcement aligns with the Kingdom’s initiative to attract experts and exceptional global talents in religious, medical, scientific, cultural, sports, and technological fields.This move supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of creating an attractive environment that fosters the retention and investment in exceptional creative minds.This decree is an extension of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to attract prominent talents whose expertise contributes significantly to economic…