Israeli strikes kill 27 in Gaza in spite of fragile truce, follows attacks targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon
The strikes were among the deadliest in Gaza since the truce entered into force last month, and came as Israel...
Geostrategy
Saudi prince, eyeing defense pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalization with Israel at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
China rejects US disinformation accusations, calls Washington ’empire of lies’
Beijing, China - China on Saturday accused the United States of being an "empire of lies", hitting back after a State...
- The report, released Thursday by the US State Department's Global Engagement Center, accused China of financing propaganda, disinformation.
- "It is the U.S. that invented the weaponizing of the global information space," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Geostrategy
UN conference adopts plan to reduce harmful chemicals
PARIS, FRANCE - A new roadmap to reduce the environmental risks from chemicals and waste was adopted at a United Nations...
- The plan sets out 28 concrete targets and guidelines for key sectors across the entire lifecycle of chemicals, from production to waste.
- It calls for a transition to more sustainable chemical alternatives, responsible management of chemicals in industry, agriculture and healthcare.
Geostrategy
Libya resumes flights to Italy after nearly 10 years of EU ban
Tripoli, Libya - A Rome-bound aircraft departed on Saturday from Libya's capital, restarting flights to Italy after a nearly decade-long suspension...
- The European Union in 2014 halted flights operated by Libyan airlines and banned them from entering member states' airspace
- Restarting flights is "part of intensive government efforts to lift the European ban on Libyan civil aviation", said Libya's UN-recognized government
Economy
ADB capital reforms unlock $100bn to support Asia and the Pacific region
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved capital management reforms that unlock US$100 billion in new funding capacity...
- The expansion of available funds will be further leveraged by mobilizing private and domestic capital required to tackle the climate crisis.
- The reforms also create a Countercyclical Lending Buffer to support ADB developing member countries facing unexpected crises.
Geostrategy
At $75bn, Saudi defense budget beats several European countries in 2022
Last year, Saudi Arabia led the Middle East in military investments, ranking fifth globally with a defense budget of $75...
- Qatar's military expenditure reaches $15.4 billion, ranking close to the Netherlands
- The United States remains the global leader with $877 billion in military spending
Geostrategy
Rights group urges justice an year after Iran’s ‘Bloody Friday’
Paris, France - Campaign groups on Saturday demanded the perpetrators of the killing of dozens of protesters in southeast Iran one...
- Reportedly, Iranian forces used live fire to suppress a protest on 30 September. 2022 which resulted in death of 104 people.
- Also known as "Bloody Friday", the day is considered the single deadliest day of months-long protests that erupted in Iran last year.
Geostrategy
Fourth soldier dead due to Houthi attack, says Bahrain
Manama, Bahrain - A fourth Bahraini soldier has died after an attack this week on his country's contingent in the Saudi-led...
- First Lieutenant Hamad Khalifa al-Kubaisi had on Friday "succumbed to serious injuries as a result of the treacherous Houthi attack", Bahrain said.
- Bahrain had previously announced the deaths of three of its soldiers in Monday's attack near the Saudi border with Yemen.
Geostrategy
IMF approves $1.3bn for Morocco to help transition to a greener economy
WASHINGTON, US - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approved a Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) for Morocco of...
- The arrangement will help Morocco strengthen its preparedness and resilience against natural disasters, including from climate change.
- The 18-months arrangement, "Will help Morocco address climate vulnerabilities, bolster its resilience against climate change,” the IMF said.
Geostrategy
The many ways US government shutdown affects people
WASHINGTON, US - The United States is heading toward a government shutdown this weekend with no foreseeable way out of a...
- Sharp disagreements in the Republican Party has prevented passage of the bills needed to keep the government funded and open.
- The credit ratings agency Moody's warned this week that a shutdown would be "credit negative" for US sovereign debt.
Geostrategy
Iran proposes to Saudi Arabia to set up working group for visa cancellation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Iran has proposed to Saudi Arabia to set up a working group to look into the idea of...
- The idea of visa cancellation was put forward by Iranian deputy tourism minister while visiting Saudi Arabia
- Iran and Saudi Arabia in March agreed to a Chinese-brokered deal to revive relations after years of hostility
Israeli strikes kill 27 in Gaza in spite of fragile truce, follows attacks targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon
The strikes were among the deadliest in Gaza since the truce entered into force last month, and came as Israel...
Geostrategy
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Gaza strikes kill 120 as Hamas says aid entry ‘minimum requirement’ for talks
Aid to Gaza has been cut off since March 2, a tactic Israel has said is intended to force concessions...
Geostrategy
Iran, European powers to hold nuclear talks in Turkey
The Istanbul meeting follows Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's warning of "irreversible" consequences if the European powers move to reimpose United...
Geostrategy
Trump caps Gulf tour in Abu Dhabi with dizzying investment pledges, deal worth $1.4 trn signed
US President Donald Trump on Friday capped off a Gulf tour in Abu Dhabi that has seen the securing of...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Trump says getting close to deal to avoid Iran action
US President Donald Trump said Thursday a deal was close on Iran's nuclear programme that would avert military action, sending...
- Trump has said the tour has resulted in trillions of dollars in deals and is hoping to secure more billion-dollar business agreements in the UAE
- Iran has held four rounds of talks with Trump's administration which has sought to avert threatened military action by Israel
Geostrategy
Warm Trump-Erdogan ties puts Turkey at heart of peace diplomacy
Turkey is deploying all-out diplomatic efforts to secure a Russia-Ukraine deal, to ease Syria's relations with the West and facilitate...
- Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan took part remotely in a landmark Riyadh meeting between Trump and Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa
- Analysts say Washington has gravitated towards Turkey thanks to the personal connection between Trump and Erdogan
Geostrategy
Ukraine, Russia to hold first direct talks since 2022
War rivals Ukraine and Russia are set to go into their first direct talks in more than three years on...
- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky had challenged Putin to meet him in person in Istanbul, but the Russian delegation names only a lower-level team
- Putin's absence would diminish the importance of the first direct negotiations since a failed effort in the weeks after Russia's 2022 invasion