Israeli minister calls to annex Gaza if Hamas doesn’t surrender
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday called on the government to begin annexing parts of the Gaza Strip if...
Geostrategy
Iran says return of IAEA inspectors not full resumption of cooperation
Iran said Wednesday that the return of UN nuclear inspectors did not represent a full resumption of cooperation, which was...
Geostrategy
Economy
Thousands flee homes in western Canada as wildfires spread
Fanned by strong winds wildfires flared across Alberta in the Canadian province, forcing 25,000 people to flee their homes as...
- Canada in recent past has been affected by extreme weather, the frequency of which has soared owing to global warming
- The declaration of the state of emergency gives the local government more powers to deal with extreme situations and unlock emergency funds
Geostrategy
None of eight Russians barred from judo worlds were athletes, says official
Vlad Marinescu, the IJF director general said that the IJF executive committee voted unanimously to reinstate Russians and Belarusians. The...
- The championships, which start in Doha on Sunday, will be the first major international competition to welcome back Russian and Belarusian athletes
- Ukrainian federation said some of the judokas in Qatar are soldiers in the Russian army but that IJF director said he was satisfied all the Russians were full-time athletes
Geostrategy
UAE evacuates 176 people, including media professionals, from Sudan
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE has evacuated 176 people from seven countries, including media professionals, from Sudan on Saturday...
- The UAE will host evacuees and provide them with all necessary support and assistance prior to their safe transfer to their home countries.
- The UAE continues the process of prioritizing the evacuation of the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, children, elderly and women.
Geostrategy
Protests in Israel carry on for 18th week against judicial reforms
Thousands of Israelis protested for an 18th straight week against the hard-right government's controversial judicial reforms, despite Prime Minister Benjamin...
- In a statement, protest organizers said the Benjamin Netanyahu government was waiting to turn Israel into a "messianic and dangerous dictatorship".
- Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv's Habima Square as they prepared to march across the city to Kaplan Street waving Israeli flags.
Geostrategy
Iran puts to death Swedish-Irani man over ‘terrorism’ charge
TEHRAN, IRAN- Iran executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chaab for "terrorism" on Saturday, according to the judiciary. "The death sentence for...
- Habib Chaab had been held in Iran since October 2020 after he vanished during a visit to Turkey and was put on trial in Tehran.
- Iran said haab led Harakat al-Nidal, or the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz, which Iran considers a "terrorist group".
Geostrategy
Two Palestinians killed by Israeli troops in West Bank
Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said, as the army claimed to...
- The Israeli army said the two men were "involved in the shooting attack in Avnei Heftz on May 2, 2023 during which an Israeli civilian was injured".
- "The two gunmen were shot and killed after attempting to flee the scene," an army statement said, adding two others were arrested in the operation.
HSBC shareholders defeat proposal to split the bank
Ping An had called on HSBC to engage in a "strategic restructuring" that would see it create a separately-listed bank...
- Of the shareholders who voted, more than 80 percent opposed the call to break up the Asia-focused bank, HSBC said in a statement
- The vote took place during HSBC's annual general meeting in Birmingham, central England, which faced disruption from climate protesters
Geostrategy
Covid-19, which killed nearly 20m, no longer global health emergency
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, however, warns that "the worst thing any country could do now is to use this...
- The UN health agency first declared the so-called public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) over the crisis on January 30, 2020.
- To date, 13.3 billion doses of Covid vaccines have been administered, with 82 percent of adults over 60 having received the initial jabs.
Geostrategy
Iran expels four Azerbaijan diplomats in tit-for-tat move
Tehran, Iran -- Iran has expelled four Azerbaijani diplomats, state media reported Friday, saying the move was "in response" to...
- Azerbaijan's foreign ministry last month said it had notified the Iranian ambassador that "four employees of the Iranian embassy were declared personae non gratae" with 48 hours.
- Baku accused the embassy staff of carrying out activities "incompatible with diplomatic status" but did not elaborate.
Economy
Improving African trade integration key to boosting GDP: IMF
Washington, United States - Improving trade relations between African countries could provide a major boost to economic output (GDP) across the...
- The IMF report predicted its recommendations would boost real per capita output in the median African country by "more than 10 percent."
- It said such change would require reforms in the trade environment of Africa, which includes changes in transportation, border infrastructure.
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Israeli minister calls to annex Gaza if Hamas doesn’t surrender
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday called on the government to begin annexing parts of the Gaza Strip if...
Geostrategy
Company News
Palestinian prisoner in Israel wins top fiction prize
Arts & Culture
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Saudi-hosted summit says Mideast peace requires end to Israeli occupation
The summit's closing statement said that "a just and comprehensive peace in the region... cannot be achieved without ending the...
Geostrategy
Avia to buy 40 Boeing aircraft
The transaction for the purchase of 737 MAX 8 jets valued at $4.9bn.
Business
World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing
Dozens of world leaders convene in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for COP29 but many big names are skipping the UN climate...
Economy
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Geostrategy
Donald Trump ramps up transition moves with key appointments
President-elect Donald Trump is tapping loyalists for several key posts after signaling his desire to have his cabinet confirmed without...
- Trump has promised to carry out the "biggest deportation operation in the history of our country"
- New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik got the nod for UN ambassador, while Stephen Miller might serve as deputy chief of staff
Geostrategy
Saudi Crown Prince says Israel must not attack Iran, expresses shock over war crimes in Gaza
Indicating improving ties between the two major powerhouses in the Middle East, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged international community...
- International community should oblige Israel "to respect the sovereignty of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran.."
- Riyadh and Tehran are warming their relationship, and this is a very different regional environment, says expert.
Geostrategy
Saudi crown prince demands Gaza, Lebanon ceasefires at Arab summit
Prince Salman also called on Israel not to attack Iran, highlighting improving ties between Saudi Arabia and its former regional...
- Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the international community must "immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon".
- A draft resolution for the summit stresses "firm support" for "national rights" for the Palestinian people, "foremost among which is their right to freedom".