Business, trade and the world

Abdi-Wali makes history as first Somali-born refugee in UK Parliament

Newly sworn-in Labour MP Sagal Abdi-Wali has become the first Somali-born refugee woman elected to UK Parliament.

Analysis: Trump's global headaches worsen weeks before crucial elections

US President Donald Trump has had a whirlwind weekend, announcing a diesel deal with Russia and an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. With the midterms coming up, it looks like Trump is turning overseas for help.

Qantas flight grounded after bedbug outbreak

The flight from Italy to Australia was cancelled after passengers on the plane's previous journey complained of bug bites.

Israel demolitions in Negev displace 400 Palestinians

Israeli authorities have demolished 80 structures in Al-Dahiya village in Israel’s Negev Desert

Azerbaijani users report social media disruptions amid hijab protests

TBILISI: Internet users in Azerbaijan reported difficulties accessing social media Monday amid protests against school restrictions on Islamic headscarves, as police announced 37 arrests linked to unrest over uniform rules. Instagram and TikTok users complained that videos would

South Africa deputy police chief resigns amid sex offence charges

Shadrack Sibiya, who is in prison after his arrest last month, denies corruption, rape and child grooming allegations.

Morocco violated Ceuta waters during migrant surge: media

MADRID: Moroccan warships entered Ceuta’s waters during and after July’s migrant surge in a rare violation of Spanish sovereignty in the north African territory claimed by Rabat, media reported on Monday. The report comes on the eve of the first royal visit to Ceuta since 2007, w

Agents search Rep. Omar’s Washington home in criminal probe as she vows she won’t ‘be silenced’

WASHINGTON: Federal agents on Monday searched the home of Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar, a startling escalation in a criminal investigation that brings renewed focus to the frequent target of Trump administration derision in the final weeks of her reelection bid. The search of th

APC faults Atiku over reference to Tinubu as ‘Bola’

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has criticised Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over

Norway pitches Nigeria free satellite data to track illegal fishing

Norway is seeking Nigeria’s participation in a satellite surveillance programme that provides free vessel-tracking data to help countries detect illegal

Islamic leaders condemn deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia that threaten safety of pilgrims

Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh received support from 176 global leaders condemning the recent Houthi attacks in Riyadh that killed 12 and injured 309, including a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar heading to perform Umrah. They emphasized the threats posed to the sanctity of the

2027: Parties kick as INEC omits key governorship candidates

Political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the final lists of governorship and state Houses of Assembly contestants

Iran Guards say struck vessel in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck a vessel on Monday that was attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that is crucial to global energy flows. Iran has imposed a blockade on the strait since the United States and Israel launched strikes against the

Jigawa pays N6.2bn pension benefits to 2,472 retirees, families

The Jigawa State Government has disbursed more than N6.2 billion in retirement and death benefits to 2,472 beneficiaries between January

North Korea fires several ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, following increased tensions due to a land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone that injured South Korean soldiers. Both South Korea and the U.S. enhanced their military readiness in response, with South

Why Moscow is staying tight-lipped on Trump's energy ceasefire

While Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky suggests he would sign up to a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, Russia has said little.

Universities should build stronger relationship with industry to drive dev. – Mahama

…As university of Offa produces eight first class graduates President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has said that youthful

Japan should help ASEAN bring Myanmar back into fold: Kishida

Japan's foreign worker system strains as officials shift quotas

Japan needs to build an LNG safety net for the next energy crisis

Panel to finalise cancer drugs for 30% trade margin cap; Rs 2,500 crore annual savings possible

An expert group is finalizing the list of cancer medicines for a new trade margin cap. The government plans to implement a 30% cap to reduce drug prices and save patients money. Retail prices of some anti-cancer drugs could drop by up to 70% as a result of this cap. The trade mar

Israeli strike on tent in Gaza’s Khan Younis kills three

Israeli strike on tent in Gaza’s Khan Younis kills three

Cabinet nod sought to extend power fund for 5 years

The power ministry is pursuing Cabinet approval for continuing the Power System Development Fund in upcoming finance cycles. The fund supports essential projects for enhancing the reliability and stability of India’s electricity grid. An allocation of around ₹1,103 crore has been

UK to review protection for public figures after attacks

The UK government is initiating a review of security measures for public figures, including lawmakers and royals, in response to increasing threats and recent violent attacks. This decision follows the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe and aims to address the rising dangers face

French navy boards ‘shadow fleet’ ship in Indian Ocean: Macron

The French navy intercepted a vessel off Reunion Island suspected of smuggling oil, as part of efforts against the ‘shadow fleet’ used by Russia to bypass sanctions.

Australia sets 421-run target and South Africa struggling at 102-4 on Day 4

DURBAN, South Africa: Australia set South Africa a 421-run target and the Proteas were laboring at 102-4 after the first full day of cricket in the first test at Kingsmead on Monday. Another innings-leading score by Matt Renshaw of 82 helped Australia declare its second innings a

Israel’s Sufa 53 Line in southern Syria casts shadow over security talks

LONDON: As Israel heads toward elections, its bulldozers are pushing deeper into southern Syria, widening the gap between diplomatic efforts to reach a security agreement and developments on the ground. In the hills of Quneitra province, excavation work on a project known as the

Elon Musk spends $366m to bolster Republican Party in US midterm elections

The barrage of spending comes as Republicans fight to overcome Trump's slipping popularity and cost of living concerns.

Teenager shoots headmaster, teacher at French school

French officials say a 14-year-old boy opened fire with a hunting rifle at a middle school in the town of Aubagne.

Railways cracks down on brand-linked tenders

The Railway Board has mandated the removal of restrictive conditions in procurement tenders for railway zones. This includes avoiding brand-specific references and adhering to Bureau of Indian Standards marked products. Previous procurement issues had been raised regarding certai

Where We Are Going Today: Jeddah’s Zafana pairs Indian comfort food with Chinese-style favorites

From Indian cooking to Chinese street food, Zafana brings together flavors from both cuisines at its restaurant on Prince Majed Road in Jeddah’s Aziziyah district. The meal can begin with chaat, shaped like a volcano and made with crispy samosa, chickpeas, yogurt, tangy tamarind

Cartoon by Amjad Rasmi. (Courtesy of Asharq Al-Awsat)

Cartoon by Amjad Rasmi. (Courtesy of Asharq Al-Awsat)

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC, BGO target $1 billion real estate portfolio

The plan to deploy more capital comes as developers increasingly turn to institutional investors for structured capital amid regulatory changes, sector consolidation and stronger balance sheets among leading players.

Jewels of the World debuts show in Riyadh

RIYADH: Beneath crystal chandeliers and gleaming display cases filled with diamonds, pearls, and gemstones, visitors are moving between jewelry brands in Riyadh this week searching for something more than precious metals. Industry leaders say Saudi consumers are looking beyond pr

What We Are Reading Today: AI and Political Freedom by Matthew Botvinick

American democracy is under pressure, as institutions that we once thought stable suddenly seem precarious. At the same time, artificial intelligence has taken over much of our online life, with enormous offline consequences. In “AI and Political Freedom,” Matthew Botvinick exami

Delhi HC bench asks single judge to explain curbs on PepsiCo

The company approached the HC against the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) order asking manufacturers of high-caffeine beverages to stop using the "energy drink" descriptor on their products, terming it a misleading claim.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home searched by immigration agents

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar’s home has been searched as part of an undisclosed ‘criminal investigation’.

Suppliers Tejas, C-DoT claim BSNL equipment meet TRAI standards

Tejas Networks and C-DoT have confirmed that their equipment meets the quality benchmarks set by Trai. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd recently sought relaxed compliance timelines for new quality-of-service norms. The state-owned telecom operator cited challenges related to indigenous s

IKEA targets 4x revenue growth in India by 2030

The observation comes as the retailer plans to quadruple its revenue in India by 2030, expand its store network to 30 from the current eight and double its investments to Rs 21,000 crore. IKEA, which is recording double-digit sales growth in India, expects to become profitable by

Cos' body for higher duty on copper used in solar module

The Indian Primary Copper Producers Association has urged the government to raise customs duties on solar copper products. They recommend increasing the duty on solar PV ribbon and busbars from 5% to 10%. The association also requests maintaining existing duties on refined copper