Israeli Strikes on Hezbollah Sites, Mohamed Al-Fayed Rape Allegations, and Global Economic Shifts: Today's Top News
Israeli military targets Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon; multiple women accuse the late Mohamed Al-Fayed of rape.
Israeli jets and artillery targeted multiple Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon amid rising northern tensions, hitting locations in Chihine, Tayibe, Blida, and others, following an attack on Hezbollah communications. This comes as Israeli military operations shift focus from Gaza.
Meanwhile, multiple women have accused the late Mohamed Al-Fayed, former owner of London department store Harrods, of rape and sexual assault, as reported by a BBC documentary. With more than 20 women coming forward, including five alleging rape at properties in London and Paris, Harrods' current owners have issued apologies and begun settling claims from 2023.
In other news, severe flooding in northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region forced the evacuation of 1,000 residents, suspending trains and closing schools in the provinces of Ravenna, Bologna, and Faenza. This adds to the recovery challenges following catastrophic floods in May 2023.
Turning to economic news, Saudi Arabia’s central bank, SAMA, has cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 percent, the first reduction in over four years. This move, reflecting progress on inflation and economic risk reassessment, aims to boost lending and investment in line with Vision 2030's goals.
Oil prices have spiked following the US Federal Reserve's significant interest rate cut, with Brent crude futures rising to $74.01 a barrel. Despite weak demand from China's economy, analysts expect a short-term deficit, predicting a decline in Brent prices to $60 per barrel by 2025 due to deteriorating global oil balances.
On a humanitarian note, Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributed nearly 1,400 food aid parcels in Yemen and Sudan, delivering essential supplies to thousands. In Taiz Governorate, 381 parcels reached 2,667 people, while Sudan’s Red Sea State received 1,000 parcels for nearly 5,800 people, along with additional aid to the needy in Yemen's Hadramout Governorate.
Meanwhile, multiple women have accused the late Mohamed Al-Fayed, former owner of London department store Harrods, of rape and sexual assault, as reported by a BBC documentary. With more than 20 women coming forward, including five alleging rape at properties in London and Paris, Harrods' current owners have issued apologies and begun settling claims from 2023.
In other news, severe flooding in northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region forced the evacuation of 1,000 residents, suspending trains and closing schools in the provinces of Ravenna, Bologna, and Faenza. This adds to the recovery challenges following catastrophic floods in May 2023.
Turning to economic news, Saudi Arabia’s central bank, SAMA, has cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 percent, the first reduction in over four years. This move, reflecting progress on inflation and economic risk reassessment, aims to boost lending and investment in line with Vision 2030's goals.
Oil prices have spiked following the US Federal Reserve's significant interest rate cut, with Brent crude futures rising to $74.01 a barrel. Despite weak demand from China's economy, analysts expect a short-term deficit, predicting a decline in Brent prices to $60 per barrel by 2025 due to deteriorating global oil balances.
On a humanitarian note, Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributed nearly 1,400 food aid parcels in Yemen and Sudan, delivering essential supplies to thousands. In Taiz Governorate, 381 parcels reached 2,667 people, while Sudan’s Red Sea State received 1,000 parcels for nearly 5,800 people, along with additional aid to the needy in Yemen's Hadramout Governorate.
