Mideast at ‘most dangerous juncture’ in decades: UN official
The UN's special coordinator for Middle East peace warned that the region was at its "most dangerous juncture" in decades
Geostrategy
Israel and Hamas near ceasefire talks, spy chief heads to Qatar as truce momentum builds
Israel’s Mossad chief will travel to Qatar for ceasefire negotiations as Hamas signals readiness to halt fighting, contingent on Israel...
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Geostrategy
Russia extends ban on entry of trucks from EU, UK, Norway, Ukraine
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The Russian government has extended the ban on the entry of trucks from the European Union, the...
- “The restriction will remain in effect until the circumstances that served as the basis for its introduction are eliminated,” the Russian Cabinet said.
- The ban was introduced in 2022 as a response to the EU’s decision not to allow trucks with Russian and Belarusian license plates through.
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UN General Assembly approves US$3.59bn budget for 2024
NEW YORK, US - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved a US$3.59 billion budget for 2024, including establishing a...
- The UNGA approved around US$50 million as an additional funding for UN Human Rights Council.
- UNGA revealed that it established a multiannual private account for peacemaking and it is used for funding UNPBF.
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Gaza toll 20,674 as Netanyahu vows to intensify fighting in coming days
The Gaza health ministry said an Israeli strike late Sunday killed at least 70 people in Al-Maghazi refugee camp, in...
- The World Health Organization said it led missions to barely functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, describing starving people stripping an aid truck of supplies.
- Pope Francis deplored "the desperate humanitarian situation" of Palestinians in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the freeing of hostages.
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Regional players welcome ceasefire and political process in Yemen
Riyad, Saudi Arabia -- Key regional players have welcomed the agreement – involving a comprehensive set of measures aimed at...
- This pivotal agreement includes a nationwide ceasefire, initiatives to enhance living standards, and steps towards resuming a comprehensive political process under UN's guidance.
- The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope for the roadmap's imminent signing, contributing to a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
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Spain will not join US-led Red Sea coalition
The Houthis welcomed Spain's stance, with deputy foreign minister Hussein al-Ezzi saying "we highly appreciate Spain's refusal to be drawn...
- On Thursday, the Pentagon said 20 countries had joined the Washington-led coalition to protect the key shipping lane
- Spain's government has been ambivalent and on Sunday a spokesman for the defense ministry told that Spain "will not participate"
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Palestinians recount ‘torture’ in Israeli army custody
In recent weeks, the army has faced international criticism after viral footage of detainees stripped down to their underwear and...
- About 20 men released from Israeli custody "have bruises on their bodies", hospital official in Rafah
- The Israeli army rejected the claims, saying detainees are "treated in accordance with international law"
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Moroccans protest against Gaza war, Israel ties
The protesters were called to the streets by a disparate group of organizations backing the Palestinian cause, including left-wingers and...
- The protestors in Rabat denounced what protest leaders called a "war of extermination"
- In 2020, the north African country established diplomatic and trade relations with Israel
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Tunisia records low turnout in vote for new chamber
More than 260 prominent Tunisian figures had signed a petition against what they called a "useless" election, saying Saied's government...
- Just 11.66 percent of the nine million strong electorate turned out on Sunday for the vote to choose more than 2,000 councilors from around 7,000 candidates
- The electoral authority is scheduled to give preliminary results on December 27. A second round is scheduled for February, with no set date as of now
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Gaza war exacting ‘heavy price’ on Israel army: Netanyahu
Israeli prime minister said that in spite of the high toll in Gaza, the country had no choice but to...
- Netanyahu said the war will go on until Hamas is eliminated and "we restore security"
- The army said 14 soldiers had been killed in the Palestinian territory since Friday
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia, UAE lead MENA’s smart city development
In 2023, the region advanced in smart city initiatives, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the transformation, with Frost...
- In 2023, the region advanced in smart city initiatives, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the transformation, with Frost & Sullivan projected $50bn investment by 2025.
- Saudi Arabia, leading with Riyadh, targets 17 cities for smart development, while the UAE's Masdar City, Oman's Sultan Haitham, and Qatar's Lusail City follow suit.
Mideast at ‘most dangerous juncture’ in decades: UN official
The UN's special coordinator for Middle East peace warned that the region was at its "most dangerous juncture" in decades
Geostrategy
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Israel thanks US Senate for approving military aid
Israel's foreign minister on Wednesday thanked the US Senate for approving $13 billion in military aid that he said sent...
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Lebanon’s Hizbollah launched ‘dozens’ of rockets at Israel after civilian deaths
Hizbollah fighters fired "dozens of Katyusha rockets" at northern Israel "as part of the response to the Israeli enemy's attacks...
Tunisia, Algeria, Libya hold ‘advisory’ meeting to create new regional coalition
The meeting was decided on by Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune, Libya's head of presidential council Mohamed Al-Menfi and Tunisian President...
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Syria has held ‘meetings’ with US: Assad
The United States was among the first to cut ties with Assad over the repression of anti-government protests that sparked...
- The United States was among the first to cut ties with Assad over the repression of anti-government protests that sparked war in 2011
- Last year Syria returned to the Arab fold, seeking better ties with wealthy US-allied Gulf states, in the hope they can help fund reconstruction
Iran, Israel appear to pull back from brink as US approves military aid
Iran downplayed Israel's reported retaliation for its unprecedented drone and missile attack, tamping down fears that escalating attacks between the...
- Aiming to bolster Israel's defences including its Iron Dome air defence system, the US House of Representatives approved $13 billion in new military assistance for the country
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the aid bill, writing on X, that it "demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization."
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
An unidentified Israeli official told The Washington Post the "strike" was retaliation for Iran's drone and missile barrage and was...
- Israeli officials made no public comment on the attack and Iranian officials played down its significance
- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Israeli micro-drones used in the operation had caused no deaths or damage