Iraqis cover soil with clay to curb sandstorms
Samawah, Iraq -- Deep in Iraq’s southern desert, bulldozers and earthmovers spread layers of moist clay over sand dunes as...
Geostrategy
14 countries condemn Israel’s expansion of West Bank settlements, say actions ‘violate international law’
Fourteen countries, including France, Britain, and Germany, condemned on Wednesday Israel's recent approval of new Jewish settlements in the occupied...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
UAE and Jordan leaders discuss boosting economic, investment ties
Amman, Jordan-- The UAE and Jordan have explored opportunities for collaboration in the fields of economy, investment, food security, renewable...
- The two leaders explored new opportunities for collaboration to support the development goals of both countries
- They discussed regional and international issues with a specific focus on the Middle East, in particular the Gaza Strip
Geostrategy
Blinken heads to Egypt to seek ‘enduring end’ to Gaza war
Palestinian Territories - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to fly to Egypt on Tuesday as part of...
- In Cairo, Blinken is scheduled to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the day after he held talks in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- Blinken's diplomatic push has been given fresh urgency with Israeli forces pressing further south towards Rafah, a Palestinian city on the southern border with Egypt
Geostrategy
China, Russia blame US for stoking Middle East tensions
The US forces targeted many positions in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a drone attack on a base in...
- Russian ambassador said US attacks are aimed to stoke the conflict
- China's ambassador said US actions will worsen the "tit-for-tat violence in the Middle East"
Geostrategy
WW3 may begin before US President Biden’s term ends, Trump says
NEW YORK, US - World War III may break out before US President Joe Biden leaves office, former US president...
- Trump alleged that that Biden's policy had turned the world into hell and was leading the United States to a bloodbath.
- The US presidential election will be held in November and incumbent Joe Biden said that he would seek re-election.
Geostrategy
Russian foreign minister to speak at Valdai Middle East Conference
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the 13th Middle East Conference of the Valdai...
- The 13th conference is taking place at a time when the region is under the microscope amid the escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
- Experts are likely to discuss ways to come to a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, the legacy of colonial policy.
Geostrategy
Spain to increase UNRWA funding after donors suspend aid
MADRID, SPAIN - Spain said on Monday that it would give an additional US$$3.8 million (3.5 million euros) in aid to...
- Over a dozen countries, including the US, Germany, Britain and Sweden, have suspended their funding to UNRWA.
- There are accusations that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas.
Business
Investment in Qatar free zones reaches US$1.3bn, says QFZ chairman
DOHA, QATAR - Minister of State and Chairman of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed...
- The QFZ chairman held a meeting with a delegation led by First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari.
- The delegation paid a field tour to the Ras Bufontas Free Zone to explore the investment benefits and business opportunities within the free zones.
Geostrategy
Gaza situation ‘indescribable’ as Blinken starts another Mideast tour
On his fifth trip to the region since the war broke out, Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia, Israel and mediators...
- At least 128 people were killed in Israeli strikes overnight to Monday, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
- UN chief Antonio Guterres announced the creation of a panel to assess UNRWA and "whether the agency is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality".
Business
Saudi, UAE ‘prior’ countries for Russia’s inbound tourism push
Moscow, Russia -- China, India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia will become prior countries for Russia...
- In 2024, attention will be given to five prior countries: China, India, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, said Director General of the Center for Strategic Research Pavel Smelov.
- "It is expected that by 2030 the implementation of the concept presented will result in the annual flow of 16 million foreign tourists," he said.
Geostrategy
Iran starts construction on new 10MW nuclear research reactor
Tehran, Iran -- Iran said Monday it had started building a new nuclear research reactor in Isfahan, days after it announced...
- The new 10-megawatt research reactor is being constructed to create a powerful neutron source, IRNA said.
- It would have a variety of applications, including fuel and nuclear material tests and the production of industrial radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, it said.
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Iraqis cover soil with clay to curb sandstorms
Samawah, Iraq -- Deep in Iraq’s southern desert, bulldozers and earthmovers spread layers of moist clay over sand dunes as...
Geostrategy
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Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel says opening aid routes
UN's World Food Programme said a third of the population of Gaza had not eaten for days, and 470,000 people...
Geostrategy
Humanoid robots embodiment of China’s AI ambitions
Shanghai, China -- Serving craft beer, playing mahjong, stacking shelves and boxing, the dozens of humanoid robots at Shanghai's World...
Geostrategy
Israel declares Gaza fighting pause amid deepening hunger crisis
Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza on March 2 after ceasefire talks broke down. In late May, it began...
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Geostrategy
Paris demands ‘explanation’ from airline over removal of Jewish teens
Paris, France - France's foreign minister has called the CEO of Spanish airline Vueling to demand an "explanation" after dozens...
- During an incident on Wednesday, the Spanish airline said it had asked the adolescents to leave the plane in the Spanish city of Valencia due to their "disruptive behaviour."
- But parents condemned what some described as an "antisemitic act", and alleging the teenagers were forced off the plane after one of them had sung a song in Hebrew
Geostrategy
UNRWA chief says Gaza aid airdrops will not stop ‘starvation’, solve food shortages
The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory has gravely deteriorated in recent days, with international NGOs warning of soaring malnutrition...
- "Airdrops will not reverse the deepening starvation. They are expensive, inefficient & can even kill starving civilians," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X
- An Israeli official told AFP on Friday that aid drops in Gaza would resume soon, adding they would be conducted by the United Arab Emirates and Jordan
Geostrategy
Syria says meeting with Israeli officials sought to ‘contain escalation’
Syrian diplomatic source said Saturday that a US-mediated meeting with Israeli officials in Paris this week sought to "contain the...
- Israel launched strikes this month on Damascus and Druze-majority Sweida province, saying it was acting in support of the religious minority
- On Thursday, US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack had said he held talks with unspecified Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris