Unveiling the Unexplored: A New Book Delves into Oman's Off-the-Beaten-Path Highways
In international news, several significant events have unfolded over the past few days. Let's take a closer look.
The United States and the Philippines have recently signed a trade agreement, following which Japan has agreed to invest as much as $550 billion in the US under a new trade deal. This move is seen as a capitulation by many in Japan, as the auto industry will be subject to a 15% tariff.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia and Ukraine would hold a new round of peace talks tomorrow in Istanbul. However, Ukrainians took to the streets in protest after President Zelenskyy signed a bill targeting the country's anti-corruption agencies.
In the Middle East, startups have raised a substantial amount of funding. Startups in the region collected $1.35 billion in the first six months of 2025 - nearly double last year's tally. A high-level business delegation led by Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih arrived in Syria for an investment forum expected to generate trade deals worth 15 billion riyals ($4 billion).
The number of foreign startups licensed to operate in Saudi Arabia grew 118% year-on-year, with Saudi Arabia courting startups in growing sectors like fintech, artificial intelligence, and climate technology.
Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, has increased its exposure to private credit, a form of non-bank lending, through a partnership with BNP Paribas unit Hayfin Capital Management. Mubadala's allocation to private credit reached about $20 billion last year through partnerships with Apollo, Ares, Carlyle, Goldman Sachs, and KKR. Hayfin Capital Management, a partner of Mubadala, has €33 billion ($38.7 billion) in assets under management.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, there are only four aid distribution sites to feed two million people after a controversial US-backed foundation took over in May. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that 33 children had starved to death in two days in Gaza. A WHO official described one child as so underweight that they looked "like they're two when actually they're five."
Elsewhere, China's efforts to curb its oil addiction are expected to lead to the country's demand peaking by 2027. Nigeria's GDP grew more than 3% in the second quarter compared with the same period last year.
In the world of technology, OpenAI warned that its latest artificial intelligence model might raise the risk of bioterror. Cyberattacks, both state-sponsored and private, are a growing problem, with British institutions being banned from paying ransom money to hackers.
Lastly, the upcoming book "Homebound" by Noa Avishag Schnall chronicles a three-week solo journey along Oman's coastline, spanning from the Yemeni border to the Strait of Hormuz. The book offers an intimate and personal reflection on the journey and the concept of home, revealing a seldom-documented, less luxurious, and more authentic side of Oman.
In politics, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a free trade agreement, expected to boost British exports to India by 60% by 2040. Dubai-based restaurant payments startup Qlub secured $30 million from investors including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala.
In a controversial move, the US announced it would withdraw from the UN's cultural and educational agency, UNESCO, at the end of next year. The White House escalated its conflict with the US Federal Reserve, with the Treasury secretary calling for a review of the "entire" central bank. A US judge raised questions over the legality of the Donald Trump administration's cuts to Harvard University's research funding.
In a concerning turn of events, Chinese state-backed hackers broke into a US agency which designs nuclear weapons, Microsoft said. In Syria, a fragile ceasefire between Druze and Bedouin forces is holding after a week of conflict that left more than 1,000 dead.
These are just a few highlights of the many events happening around the world. Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds.
- While international news continues to evolve, it's noteworthy to mention that the book "Homebound" by Noa Avishag Schnall provides a unique insight into lifestyle, sharing an intimate account of a solo journey along Oman's coastline, exploring themes of travel and home.
- Amidst the busy landscape of trade deals and geopolitical conflict, a potential shift in entertainment is also taking shape. The upcoming book "Homebound" offers a fresh perspective, diving into the realms of travel, lifestyle, and personal reflection, opening up a lesser-known and more authentic side of Oman.
