Israeli strikes kill at least 29 Palestinians as truce talks stall
Gaza's Civil Defence reports that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 29 people today, including six children near a water distribution point.
The attacks followed a week of stalled indirect ceasefire talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas.
Israel strikes killed at least 110 Palestinians across the Strip yesterday, including 34 people waiting for food at the US-backed GHF site in Rafah.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
14 minutes ago
- Zawya
Bitcoin tops $120,000 for the first time
SINGAPORE: Bitcoin crossed the $120,000 level for the first time on Monday, marking a major milestone for the world's largest cryptocurrency as investors bet on long-sought policy wins for the industry this week. Starting on Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives will debate a series of bills to provide the digital asset industry with the nation's regulatory framework it has long demanded. Those demands have resonated with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called himself the "crypto president" and urged policymakers to revamp rules in favor of the industry. Expectations of further tailwinds for the industry helped propel bitcoin to yet another record high of $121,207.55 in the Asian session on Monday. It last traded 1.5% higher at $120,856.34. The surge in bitcoin, which is up 29% for the year thus far, has sparked a broader rally across other cryptocurrencies over the past few weeks even in the face of Trump's chaotic tariffs. Ether, the second-largest token, scaled an over five-month top of $3,048.23 on Monday and last stood at $3,036.24. The sector's total market value has swelled to about $3.78 trillion, according to data from CoinMarketCap. (Reporting by Rae Wee; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Kim Coghill)
Arabian Post
an hour ago
- Arabian Post
DP World Secures 30‐Year Deal to Revitalise Tartus Port
DP World has finalised a 30‑year concession worth US $800 million to modernise and operate the port of Tartus on Syria's Mediterranean coast, as per official statements issued on 13 July 2025. The agreement, inked in Damascus between DP World and Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, was witnessed by Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, along with DP World's Chairman and Group CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi, chairman of the port authority. The deal follows a memorandum of understanding signed in May, and comes in the wake of Washington's recent move to lift US sanctions on Syria, which paved the way for renewed international investment. DP World will fund and execute significant upgrades at Tartus, Syria's second‑largest port, enhancing its capacity to handle containers, roll‑on/roll‑off and breakbulk cargo, under a build‑operate‑transfer model fully owned by the company. Sultan bin Sulayem highlighted the strategic importance of the port, calling it 'a vital gateway' to Southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa that can support resilient supply chains and spur regional economic stability. Qutaiba Ahmed Badawi described the agreement as 'an important step forward' in modernising trade infrastructure, supporting Syria's reconstruction and creating opportunities for its people. ADVERTISEMENT The pact includes plans to build industrial zones, free‑trade areas and logistics corridors linked to the port, signalling a broader vision to diversify Syria's economic base and integrate it more deeply into global trade networks. DP World operating in over 75 countries and handling approximately 9.2 per cent of global container traffic, brings significant expertise to the project. The agreement follows the termination earlier this year of a 49‑year commercial lease previously held by a Russian firm, cancelled by Syria's new government in January. That move paved the way for the port's complete nationalisation and cleared the path for this new international partnership. While Syria retains the Russian naval base in Tartus, civilian port operations were reverted to state control before the DP World deal was confirmed. Commercial observers highlight the significance of this development for Syria's reconstruction efforts. Gulf News described the agreement as 'a major step in Syria's post‑war reconstruction'. Al Jazeera noted that the investment was part of a series of high‑profile contracts by the new government following Washington's easing of sanctions. Syria's ambition to attract foreign capital is further evidenced by previous agreements this year, including a 30‑year deal with French shipping giant CMA CGM to operate the port of Latakia, and a US $7 billion coalition-led energy sector pact. Critics caution that success hinges on political stability, reconstruction transparency, and effective governance. However, DP World's emphasis on digital infrastructure, modern cargo‑handling systems and global trade linkages suggests a strategic approach targeting efficiency gains and sustainable economic activity. The agreement marks the most substantial foreign investment Syria has secured since the end of the Assad-led conflict era and represents a significant shift toward reintegration into regional and international trade frameworks.
Arabian Post
an hour ago
- Arabian Post
UAE Secures Dominant Role in Azerbaijan Gulf Trade
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE's new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Azerbaijan has catapulted bilateral non‑oil trade to unprecedented levels, now accounting for half of Azerbaijan's commerce with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This landmark pact promises to mould economic trajectories for both nations by 2031. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, revealed that non‑oil trade surged by 36.2 percent in 2024, reaching US $2.24 billion—equivalent to 50 percent of Azerbaijan's trade with the GCC. This accomplishment is underpinned by a robust 4.1 percent expansion in Azerbaijan's overall GDP and a 6.3 percent rise in its non‑oil sector. ADVERTISEMENT Signed in Abu Dhabi with the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, CEPA is expected to inject US $680 million into UAE GDP and US $300 million into Azerbaijan by 2031. It further cements the UAE's status as Azerbaijan's top Arab investor, with cumulative UAE investments now exceeding US $1 billion. The CEPA supports strategic priorities in manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, logistics, and financial services, with planned expansion of UAE investments in energy and renewables via state-owned giants ADNOC and Masdar. Masdar's portfolio in Azerbaijan is set to exceed 1.2 GW by 2027 following a 4 GW renewables agreement including solar and hydrogen projects. This accord also aligns with broader UAE ambitions under its CEPA programme, aimed at achieving US $1.1 trillion in non‑oil trade by 2031. Already, the initiative delivered a record US $816 billion in 2024, marking a 14.6 percent year-on-year increase, and positions the UAE as having 27 CEPA agreements with markets comprising over one‑quarter of global population. Beyond trade figures, CEPA signifies a strategic push to diversify UAE exports and deepen supply‑chain resilience. It enables Azerbaijani goods access to Gulf and global markets, while encouraging UAE capital deployment in Eastern Europe via Azerbaijan's Gateway logistics advantage. Sectors like food security, real estate, and logistics are flagged for development across both economies. Financial cooperation is gaining momentum too. Talks between Azerbaijan's Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange may lay groundwork for capital-market linkages. Additionally, Azerbaijani remittances to UAE saw a 52.1 percent rise in Q1 2025, reaching US $18.8 million. Humanitarian and environmental collaboration with CEPA includes UAE support for demining through Azerbaijan's Mine Action Agency and joint efforts during COP summits. CEPA is poised to enrich private‑sector ties, particularly for SMEs, while also strengthening tourism links—highlighted by over 185 monthly flights connecting the UAE and Azerbaijan. Earlier cooperation has boosted non‑oil trade 43 percent in 2024 to about US $2.4 billion. In the energy domain, strategic joint ventures have been flourishing. ADNOC holds a 30 percent stake in Azerbaijan's Absheron project, and SOCAR reciprocated with oil‑field stakes in UAE territory. Renewable efforts include a 445 MW solar plant in Bilasuvar and a 315 MW installation in Neftchala under Saudi-UAE investment.
