Apollo in talks for AlShaya Starbucks franchise, sources say 

Fahd, a Saudi national who lived in Tennessee for nine years, has returned to Riyadh and continues his daily routine at Dunkin Donuts, reflecting Saudi Arabia's fascination with American culture despite its traditional image. The country hosts numerous American franchises like Buffalo Wild Wings and Starbucks, illustrating deep ties with the U.S. that date back to World War II. As Saudi Arabia diversifies its economy under Vision 2030, American brands have become integral to daily...

The Israeli occupation forces have killed 102 Palestinians and injured 193 in recent airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, as reported by Anadolu agency. Most casualties occurred in densely populated areas, including the Abu Hamisa School in Bureij refugee camp and the Manasra camp in Deir al-Balah, where families had sought refuge. Since October 2023, over 52,600 people, predominantly women and children, have died due to the ongoing military campaign, prompting international scrutiny, including arrest warrants...

EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip are unacceptable, emphasizing that the situation in Gaza is deteriorating and that intensified military operations will worsen civilian suffering. She called for Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need, adhering to humanitarian principles. Kallas also discussed ongoing EU considerations regarding sanctions on Syria and criticized Russia's lack of interest in peace...

The US Treasury Department has sanctioned Chinese refinery Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group and three Shandong port terminal operators for purchasing Iranian oil during ongoing nuclear talks, targeting entities involved in facilitating significant oil transactions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the US's commitment to increasing pressure on Iran's oil supply chain to hinder its destabilizing activities. This marks the third action against a teapot refinery and comes amid postponed nuclear negotiations, with President Trump warning of...

Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa announced on Thursday that he has sought support from Israel and the UAE to combat drug cartels terrorizing Ecuador, which has seen a spike in violence linked to cocaine trafficking. In an interview, Noboa revealed that these nations agreed to provide intelligence to aid in the fight against traffickers and discussed security cooperation at ports and borders. Despite his efforts to attract foreign investment and address the country’s economic decline, Noboa...

Summary Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, reported attacks on Israeli military units in southern Gaza, claiming casualties among soldiers from two separate incidents involving explosives and shells. The Israeli military has not responded to these claims, which come amidst a broader context of high Israeli military losses since October 2023, including 854 soldiers killed and over 5,800 injured. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with nearly 52,800 fatalities reported, predominantly among women and children, prompting...