US envoy in Beirut says ‘real opportunity’ to end Israel-Hezbollah war
US special envoy said he was in Beirut because he saw "real opportunity" to end the Israel-Hezbollah war
Geostrategy
UN nuclear chief heads to Iran for crucial talks
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi is set to visit Tehran on Wednesday for crucial talks on Iran's nuclear...
Geostrategy
Iran Guards hit ‘terrorist’ targets in Iraq, Syria
The IRGC also hit targets in Syria with ballistic missiles, including the "gathering places of commanders and main elements related...
- The attacks destroyed "a spy headquarters" and a "gathering of anti-Iranian terrorist groups" in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, IRGC said
- Four people including prominent businessman Peshraw Dizayee were killed and six others wounded in the attack, according to Iraq's Kurdistan security council
Geostrategy
Big win in Iowa moves Trump closer to Biden re-match
The extent of his victory demonstrated the 77-year-old's success in turning his prosecutions into a rallying cry that has galvanized...
- The former president has led polling for more than a year, but the contest offered the clearest insight yet into his ability to convert that advantage into a White House return
- Major US networks took just half an hour to call the race, with Trump taking 51 percent of the vote and opening an unprecedented 30-point gap over Ron DeSantis
Geostrategy
Iran, India reach final agreement on Chabahar Port
Tehran, Iran – Iran and India on Monday finalized an agreement for the development of the strategic Chabahar port in...
- Chabahar Port, Iran's sole oceanic port on the Gulf of Oman, holds strategic importance both strategically and economically
- In May 2016, India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement for the Chabahar port, facilitating New Delhi's access to Kabul and Central Asia
Geostrategy
Turkish strikes leaves hundreds of Syrian villages without electricity
Qamishli, Syria - Hundreds of northeast Syrian villages and towns have lost power after Turkish strikes pounded electricity stations and infrastructure,...
- The Kurdish administration said Turkey launched a slew of strikes since Friday, mostly concentrated on infrastructure including power stations and oil refineries
- The semi-autonomous Kurdish administration listed hundreds of villages and towns facing blackouts due to the Turkish strikes in a statement Monday
Geostrategy
Iran asks US and Britain to ‘stop war against Yemen’
Tehran, Iran - Iran urged on Monday the United States and Britain to "stop the war against Yemen" following their recent...
- "We warn America and Britain to stop the war against Yemen immediately," said Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
- The Houthis, who control large swathes of Yemen including the capital Sanaa since 2014, are part of a Tehran-aligned "axis of resistance" against Israel and its allies
Geostrategy
EU worried Red Sea attacks could spark inflation
European Union economy commissioner Paolo Gentiloni warned that violence in the Red Sea sparked by Houthi attacks on shipping could...
- Gentiloni said that "what is happening in the Red Sea... is not for the moment apparently creating consequences on energy prices and inflation".
- Tensions in the Red Sea have soared after the United States and Britain carried out strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Geostrategy
Gaza war deaths top 24,000 as UN chief calls for ceasefire again
Bringing food and supplies to the besieged population of Gaza, which is increasingly at risk of famine, also depends on...
- In a statement released with the video, Hamas said "the Zionist army's bombing" was responsible for the death of two male hostages.
- King Abdullah II of neighboring Jordan warns that continuing Israeli attacks could cause the conflict to expand across the region.
Geostrategy
UN wants $4.2 billion for Ukraine’s humanitarian aid in 2024
"Remember Ukraine?" UN aid chief Martin Griffiths asked as he launched the plan in Geneva. "Please do not forget Ukraine...
- Russia's war in Ukraine is set to enter its third year in February and the UN said it was vital to maintain support to millions affected by war
- The UN hopes to reach 8.5 million people within Ukraine and 2.3 million refugees and their host communities in eastern Europe
Business
Saudi Arabia unveils 45,000-seat multi-use stadium in Qiddiya City
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced on Monday the launch of...
- Upon opening, the stadium is anticipated to host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events.
- It aims to draw visitors from across the globe and revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with its immersive design.
World Economic Forum
IMF chief at Davos: AI holds risks, opportunity for global economy
Artificial intelligence poses risks to job security around the world but also offers a "tremendous opportunity" to boost flagging productivity...
- "We must focus on helping low-income countries in particular to move faster to be able to catch the opportunities that artificial intelligence will present," Georgieva told AFP.
- Georgieva said 2024 is likely to be "a very tough year" for fiscal policy worldwide, as countries look to tackle debt burdens accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
US envoy in Beirut says ‘real opportunity’ to end Israel-Hezbollah war
US special envoy said he was in Beirut because he saw "real opportunity" to end the Israel-Hezbollah war
Geostrategy
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Kuwait emir names former PM as new crown prince
Kuwait entered new political turbulence in May when the 83-year-old emir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved parliament just six weeks...
Gaza mediators urge Israel, Hamas to accept truce plan
Rafah, Palestinian Territories - Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators called on Israel and Hamas Saturday to "finalise" the truce deal outlined...
Geostrategy
Hamas says Israel’s Gaza ceasefire proposal ‘positive’
The US president urged Hamas to accept the Israeli offer. "It's time for this war to end, for the day...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel troops push into central Rafah
In central Gaza, the Israeli army said it was "intensifying operations" and had carried out air strikes that "eliminated several...
- Witnesses reported seeing Israeli air strikes "in central Rafah" as well as troop movements in the area
- Israel said its forces had killed about 300 Palestinian fighters in Rafah since launching its military operation in the city
Geostrategy
US, UK air strikes hit several sites in Yemen
The British defence ministry said in a statement that its planes launched strikes in "a joint operation with US forces...
- AFP journalists heard loud explosions in the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida overnight from Thursday to Friday
- The Houthi-controlled television channel Al-Masirah said strikes had also targeted telecoms infrastructure in the town of Taez
Geostrategy
Rafah battles intensify as Israel takes over Gaza-Egypt border strip
Israel said on Wednesday its forces had taken over the 14-kilometre Philadelphi corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border
- The Israeli military launched its incursion into Rafah in early May despite international objections
- A strike over the weekend that started a fire and killed dozens in a displacement camp drew a wave of fresh condemnation