Trump's Board of Peace wants to speed ahead with the rehabilitation of Gaza, but its members can't agree on what the first step should be. All while the possibility of a return to fighting hangs in the background. - Sam Dagher www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump’s Gaza Peace at Risk of Stagnating With Hamas Still Armed

US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace — set up to secure a durable end to the war in Gaza — will hold its inaugural meeting in Washington on Thursday with multiple barriers to overcome, not least...

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DP World's CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin #Sulayem resigned Friday, becoming one of the most influential businesspeople to be felled by his involvement with the disgraced financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey #Epstein. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

DP World Names Yuvraj Narayan as CEO, Essa Kazim as Chairman

DP World Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem resigned, one of the most influential businesspeople to be felled by his involvement with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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With #Israel tired of war and religious nationalism on the rise, economists warn the country faces a potentially irreversible brain drain - Galit Altstein 🎁Link www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Israel’s Wartime Brain Drain Raises Fears of Permanent Exodus

An economy built on tech success watches nervously as high-skilled, high-earners leave the country, and expats hesitate to return.

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I sat down with Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo to talk about the economy and plans for a new agreement with the IMF. He told me any talks with creditors on debt renegotiation would only happen after an IMF program, one of a number of steps he hopes will help reassure investors. 🎁link

Mozambique Eyes Debt Talks After New IMF Program, President Says

Mozambique will only start talks with creditors to renegotiate its debt after reaching an agreement on a new program with the International Monetary Fund, President Daniel Chapo said.

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A consensus is forming on the need to move forward with the day-after plan for Gaza, denying Hamas a veto.

Trump Gulf Allies Aim to Pursue Gaza Plan With or Without Hamas

Gulf nations look increasingly likely to push ahead with US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza regardless of whether Hamas accepts it or not.

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🎁Link Many Israeli entrepreneurs who have built lucrative businesses in the past decade and are now facing uncertainty as employees are drafted into the military. As many as 130,000 reserve soldiers are expected to be mobilized, tying up some 3% of the nation’s workforce.

Israel’s Long War in Gaza and Mass Call Ups Strain High-Tech Economy

With the war in Gaza intensifying and little to no sign of a ceasefire, Israel’s economy and businesses are bracing for further strain.

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Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a legal analysis commissioned by the UN's Human Rights Council says. According to a team of independent experts, four of five legal markers defining genocide have been met. Israel slammed the report, calling it “distorted and false.”

Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza, UN-Commissioned Report Says

A United Nations-commissioned report concluded Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and called for the international community to fulfill its legal obligations to end it and “pu...

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🎁 Gift Link 🎁 Turkey’s main opposition party raised the prospect of the mayor of Ankara being its next presidential candidate, amid a clampdown that’s seen its most popular official and several others jailed.

Turkey Opposition Chief Mulls New Candidate to Challenge Erdogan

Turkey’s main opposition party raised the prospect of the mayor of Ankara being its next presidential candidate, amid a clampdown that’s seen its most popular official and several others jailed.

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GIFT LINK: Trojena is designated to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029. But, set in a region with little snowfall, it’s becoming one of the most difficult tests yet of the kingdom’s ability to pull off Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s grand ambitions and meet commitments for international events.

Neom’s Desert Ski Resort Strains Saudi Prince MBS’s $1.5 Trillion Plan

Trojena is designated to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. But set in a region with little snowfall, it’s emerging as a great challenge to MBS’s flagship project

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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has had a profound influence on security in the Middle East for almost half a century and has often posed a direct challenge to the US and its allies. Golnar Motevalli takes a look at how Iran's recent confrontation with Israel both hurt and emboldened it.

Iran’s Military Elite Emerges From War Bruised and Emboldened

The 12 day conflict in June was the most damaging in the IRGC’s history, yet the organization is now more critical to the survival of the Islamic Republic.

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The United Torah Judaism party said it would quit the coalition in protest for a bill seeking to curtail military draft exemptions long enjoyed by ultra-Orthodox Jews. Without UTJ's seven lawmakers Netanyahu wields just 61 of the 120 seats in parliament. The walkout takes effect in 48 hours.

Netanyahu’s Coalition Shrinks After Ultra-Orthodox Party Quits

An Israeli ultra-Orthodox party said it’s walking out of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, threatening to leave the government with a razor-thin majority in parliament.

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A blaze at a key downtown Cairo telephone exchange left at least four people dead and another 27 injured, cutting off network services and forcing the local stock exchange to cancel Tuesday’s trading session.

Deadly Fire in Cairo Telecom Hub Causes Widespread Disruptions

A blaze at a key downtown Cairo telephone exchange left at least four people dead and another 27 injured, cutting off network services and forcing the local stock exchange to cancel Tuesday’s trading ...

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Some of Israel’s most loyal supporters in Europe are increasingly speaking out against the war in Gaza, with several nations, including Germany, considering trade sanctions and curbs on arms sales.

Israel’s Gaza Attacks Spur European Leaders to Criticize Netanyahu

Some of Israel’s most loyal supporters in Europe are increasingly speaking out against the war in Gaza, with several nations, including Germany, considering trade sanctions and curbs on arms sales.

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Some of Israel’s most loyal supporters in Europe are increasingly speaking out against the war in Gaza, with several nations, including Germany, considering trade sanctions and curbs on arms sales.

Israel’s Gaza Attacks Spur European Leaders to Criticize Netanyahu

Some of Israel’s most loyal supporters in Europe are increasingly speaking out against the war in Gaza, with several nations, including Germany, considering trade sanctions and curbs on arms sales.

bloomberg.com

Germany is cracking down on a massive underground payments system called hawala which is being abused by money launderers and financiers of Islamist terrorism.

Germany Targets Centuries Old Payment System to Stem Dirty Money

Germany is cracking down on a massive underground payments system called hawala which is being abused by money launderers and financiers of Islamist terrorism.

bloomberg.com

Some of America’s biggest banks are limiting the sharing of information with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency because they are concerned about potential security risks to their computer networks following a major hack of the regulator’s emails.

JPMorgan, BNY Limit Information Sharing With OCC After Hack

Some of America’s biggest banks are limiting the sharing of information with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency because they are concerned about potential security risks to their computer n...

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First came the Wall Street banks and then the global hedge funds. Now, a wave of private equity firms led by New York-based Brookfield Asset Management are also setting their sights on the oil-rich Middle East to spur deals and profits.

Brookfield Has Billions Riding on a Private Equity Revival in the Middle East

The region is even more appealing as market turmoil fueled by Trump’s tariffs dashes hopes for a deals resurgence in the US.

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Lebanese depositors will get their money back over time as part of any financial overhaul, with the state, central bank and local banks sharing the burden of repairing the crisis-stricken economy, Economy Minister Amer Bisat said.

Lebanon Vows to Make Depositors Whole in Bid to Unlock Reforms

Lebanese depositors will get their money back over time as part of any financial overhaul, with the state, central bank and local banks sharing the burden of repairing the crisis-stricken economy, Eco...

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And so it ends. Today I said goodbye to Bloomberg's London office. Seven years, two roles and many many friends I'll be sad to leave. But as I prepare to relocate to Dubai for job #3 - Middle East Economics and Politics editor - I'm nothing if not excited. See you in April!

Israel ended the Hamas ceasefire with deadly airstrikes across Gaza. These, along with others overnight in Lebanon and Syria, come days after the US ordered an offensive against the Houthis in an escalation of hostilities against Iran-backed militant groups.

Israel Strikes in Gaza Widen Attacks on Iran’s Militant Allies

Israel ended the Hamas ceasefire with deadly airstrikes across Gaza, days after the US ordered an offensive against the Houthis in an escalation of hostilities against Iran-backed militant groups.

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Turkey revoked Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s university diploma, potentially blocking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival from running for the country’s top office. He's one of Turkey’s most popular politicians and has been widely viewed as a contender to the presidency.

Turkey Voids Erdogan Rival’s Degree in Risk for Presidential Bid

Turkey revoked Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s university diploma, potentially blocking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival from running for the country’s top office.

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Rare tensions are surfacing between Israel and President Donald Trump’s administration, after the US engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages in Gaza. Avi Dichter, a member of Israel's security cabinet, said Monday Boehler's outreach to Hamas is "very bad, very problematic.”

Trump-Israel Tensions Begin to Surface Over Gaza Hostage Talks

Rare tensions are surfacing between Israel and President Donald Trump’s administration, after the US engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages in Gaza, including an American nationa...

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Anytime. And since it's a gift, I might as well pay it forward.

John Bowker@johnhbowker.bsky.social · last yr.

Our mapping analysis of what Gaza looks like now - with about 40% of buildings standing. People are returning north with a fragile ceasefire holding, setting up camps of tents among the ruins. I worked out how to gift this! - Thanks @carlacanivete.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

❗️NOW: UK prime minister Starmer just arrived to the summit as he seeks members for a “coalition of the willing” to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. On Thursday, EU leaders will meet in Brussels to accelerate plans for increasing defense spending and additional support for Ukraine

What does one do on a Sunday morning? Blog the emergency summit in London. If you're around, follow along

European Leaders Meet in London on Ukraine: Live Blog

European Leaders Meet in London to Discuss Ukraine Crisis

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Wondering about rare earths? Give this a listen and, while you're at it, do a quick search about commercial viability studies and the difference between resources and reserves. TL;DR: just cause I found oil/minerals in my yard, it doesn't necessarily mean I've hit the jackpot.

Javier Blas@javierblas.bsky.social · last yr.

VIDEO COLUMN: Fantasy minerals. Many people — not least of all, US President Donald Trump — seem convinced Ukraine has a lot of rare earths minerals. It’s utter nonsense. @opinion.bloomberg.com #Ukraine www.instagram.com/reel/DGh4kw5...

🎁 Gift Link: White House Limits Newswires in Press Pool Takeover

White House Limits Newswires in Press Pool Takeover

The White House handpicked the first group of outlets for a new system of media access in which it chooses who is able to cover President Donald Trump in certain settings, limiting the role of the thr...

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Bloomberg News@bloomberg.com · last yr.

The White House limited newswires in a takeover of the press pool. The AP, Reuters and Bloomberg News released a statement objecting to the decision

The remains of four Israeli hostages were returned Thursday, with Hamas saying they include a young mother and her two small children. Nine-month old Kfir Bibas was the youngest abductee in Oct. 2023. For Israelis, the Bibas family is a symbol of 16 months of anguish over the fate of hostages.

Israel says it’s retreating from Lebanon by a Tuesday ceasefire deadline, but named five spots inside the country where soldiers will remain, drawing protest from the Lebanese government. Most ground troops have returned to Israel. Yet the army will stay in five positions near Israeli communities.

Israel Says Army Retreating from Lebanon, But For Five Outposts

Israel says it’s retreating from Lebanon by a Tuesday ceasefire deadline, but named five spots inside the country where soldiers will remain, drawing protest from the Lebanese government.

bloomberg.com

Russia will likely keep a reduced military presence in Syria, securing a key goal for Putin after the downfall of Assad. However, keeping naval and air bases in Syria will disappoint those hoping for a clean cut with Russia. The chess board keeps being rearranged

Russia Set to Keep Reduced Military Presence in Post-Assad Syria

Russia will likely keep a reduced military presence in Syria, achieving a key objective for President Vladimir Putin after the downfall of the Assad regime he backed, according to people familiar with...

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