Israel’s security cabinet approves 19 new settlements in West Bank, a move to scuttle ‘a Palestinian state’
The decision brings the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to 69, according to a statement...
Geostrategy
Zelensky says US mooted direct Ukraine-Russia talks on ending war in Miami
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Washington had proposed the first face-to-face negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in...
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Geostrategy
Gaza refugee camps: born during first Arab-Israeli war
Over 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes in what is referred to by Palestinians as the "Nakba"...
- More than two-thirds of the 2.4 million people living in Gaza are registered refugees. Israel has persistently rejected their "right of return", which the UN backed in 1948.
- Gaza's camps are among the most densely populated places on the planet, with over 620,000 people packed into less than 6.5 square kilometers of land.
Geostrategy
UAE to set up 150-bed field hospital in Gaza: official media
The United Arab Emirates, a wealthy Gulf monarchy, broke with Arab tradition to establish ties with Israel in the 2020...
- Five aircraft flew out of Abu Dhabi for Arish in northern Egypt carrying equipment and supplies for the 150-bed facility, says report
- The hospital's facilities will include anesthetics and surgery, gynecology and intensive care units "catering to both children and adults"
Geostrategy
Israel to take ‘security responsibility’ of Gaza: Netanyahu
The Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza by air, land and sea since October 7, when Hamas militants launched a...
- Netanyahu disputed the health ministry's figures, which he said likely included Palestinian combatants
- Despite growing calls for a ceasefire from the UN head and other world leaders, Netanyahu rejected the call
Geostrategy
Economic strain looms over Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and GCC; Gaza escalation to affect Israeli economy too
A latest report by IIF highlights three possible outcomes from Gaza operations, each with profound implications for MENA economies and...
- A latest report by IIF highlights three possible outcomes from Gaza operations, each with profound implications for MENA economies and political stability.
- Saudi Arabia may seek additional concessions for Palestine in future reconciliation talks, potentially slowing or reversing any progress, says the report.
Geostrategy
Jordan keeps options open in response to Gaza conflict
Amman, Jordan - Jordan has stated that it is considering "all options" in response to what it perceives as Israel's...
- The kingdom refrained from specifying the measures Jordan might take, but the statement comes after the country recalled its ambassador from Israel
- In a significant move, Jordan also declared Israel's ambassador persona non grata, effectively preventing his return to Amman
Geostrategy
UAE issue guidelines on unlicensed virtual asset service providers
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee (NAMLCFTC)...
- The guidance aims to educate licensed financial institutions (LFIs) and public sector on the risks associated with unlicensed virtual asset service providers.
- It aligns with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) publication on updated guidance for a risk-based approach to virtual assets and virtual asset service providers.
Geostrategy
Anti-west boycott waves sweep across Middle East in Gaza solidarity
Manama, Bahrain - In a convenience store in Bahrain, 14-year-old Jana Abdullah carries a tablet as she shops, checking a list...
- Led by tech-savvy youth, the boycott campaign includes browser extensions, dedicated websites and smartphone apps that identify proscribed products.
- The boycott has been accompanied by calls for Arab states to cut ties with Israel, while pro-Palestinian rallies have taken place weekly in major capitals.
Geostrategy
Turkmenistan plants over 470,000 trees in a single day
Turkmenistan is one of the most closed societies in the world, where dissent is outlawed and the Berdymukhamedov family have...
- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says water stress in Turkmenistan is "extremely high".
- Three-quarters of the country are covered by the black sands of the Karakum Desert and annual precipitation is below 100 mm in places.
Geostrategy
European Union to increase Gaza humanitarian aid by $27mn
"By doing so the European Union will spend a total of 100 million euros in humanitarian aid for the civilians...
- The EU chief Von der Leyen, a staunch supporter of Israel, said it was essential the country "strives to avoid civilian casualties" in its operation in Gaza.
- Von der Leyen told diplomats that even as conflict rages, there needs to be a "perspective" for a two-state solution.
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10,000 deaths raise specter of genocide in Gaza
Some world leaders like Turkey's President Erdogan use the term genocide to describe Israeli actions in Gaza. Israel has also...
- The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has used the term "genocide" to describe Israeli actions in Gaza.
- Pronouncements of several Israeli politicians, who openly called for extermination of Palestinians, have added to the fears of a genocide in Gaza.
Israel’s security cabinet approves 19 new settlements in West Bank, a move to scuttle ‘a Palestinian state’
The decision brings the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to 69, according to a statement...
Geostrategy
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Japan’s Masaki Kashiwara wins Abel Prize for mathematics
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Nations advance ocean protection, vow to defend seabed
UN Ocean Conference wrapped up Friday with world leaders taking major steps toward marine protection and vowing a showdown when...
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Iran calls Israeli strikes ‘declaration of war’ amid international calls for restraint
Trump warns Tehran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Iran should cut a deal...
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Nuclear states spent $100 billion on atomic arsenals in 2024, say ICAN
ICAN said Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and the United States together spent nearly $10 billion...
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Geostrategy
MENA brief Jun 13: Prince Salman to skip G7 meet, OpenAI in funds talks with PIF
In the financial sector, Fitch Ratings has projected a notable uptick in mergers and acquisitions within Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry....
- Qatar’s real estate sector recorded transactions exceeding QAR 1 billion in the first five days of June, driven by strong demand for residential and commercial assets.
- Morocco emerged as North Africa’s financial leader, with six of the region’s top 20 listed firms based in the country.
Geostrategy
Israel says Hamas ‘weaponising suffering in Gaza’ as aid workers killed
Israel charged on Thursday that Hamas was "weaponising suffering in Gaza" after a US and Israeli-backed charity accused the Palestinian...
- The distribution of food and basic supplies in the blockaded and war-ravaged Gaza has become increasingly fraught and perilous
- Asked to respond to the GHF accusation, the Hamas government media office in Gaza said GHF was a "filthy tool" of Israeli forces
Geostrategy
Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites, kills top generals; Tehran, Iraq shut airspace, casualties reported
Israel's operation struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and...
- Israel's operation struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists
- Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were also hit, killing a number of civilians including women and children