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Since September 6, 2025, multiple subsea fiber-optic cables in the Red Sea near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have been cut, causing widespread internet slowdowns and increased latency across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa. Key cables affected include SEA-ME-WE-4, IMEWE, and FALCON GCX. Microsoft and NetBlocks confirm traffic rerouting but warn of ongoing delays. The damage coincides with regional tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
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On September 9, 2025, Israel conducted a rare airstrike in Doha targeting senior Hamas political leaders amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The attack, condemned by Qatar and multiple Gulf states, disrupted peace talks and raised regional tensions. Israel claimed the strike was a precise operation against those responsible for the October 2023 attacks on Israel.
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Carrefour, once a leading hypermarket chain, is rapidly retreating from several Middle Eastern markets, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman, with its franchise partner Majid Al Futtaim replacing it with the local brand HyperMax. The closures follow regional political pressures and strategic shifts, while Carrefour continues to operate in some markets like the UAE and Egypt.
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Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah signed an agreement to host the Trophee des Champions at Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium on January 8. This marks the second year the match is played outside France, following Qatar's hosting last year. PSG leads with 13 titles, while Marseille has three.
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OPEC+ agreed to raise oil output by 137,000 barrels per day in November, matching October's increase. The decision follows months of gradual output hikes aimed at balancing market share and prices amid weak demand and geopolitical tensions. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 2.
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The AFC's final round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins with matches involving Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and others. The process is marked by hosting disputes, scheduling concerns, and teams' ambitions to qualify for the first 48-team tournament in North America.
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Leaders from over 20 countries, including Egypt, the US, and European nations, are convening in Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss Gaza's future amid a recent ceasefire. The summit aims to promote regional stability, support reconstruction, and address the ongoing conflict, with key players like Hamas and Israel absent.
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Daylight saving time ends this weekend in many regions, with clocks set back an hour. New Stanford research supports adopting permanent standard time, citing health benefits linked to circadian rhythm alignment. The change impacts sleep, health, and international coordination, especially between Europe, North America, and Israel.