Hamas says Israeli hostages to be freed before Trump peace summit
As part of the deal's first phase, Hama will free the captives, 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive,...
Geostrategy
Lebanon, Syria seek reset on ties as FM visits Beirut
Lebanon and Syria on Friday committed to turning a new page on ties as Damascus's foreign minister visited Beirut, with...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Iraq-Iran rail link to facilitate travel, tourism and medical treatments
Iraq's prime minister inaugurated construction work on what is slated to become the first railway line connecting the country to...
- The project had been under discussion for years before an agreement was reached in 2021.
- The Iraqi PM thanked Iran for planned demining operations at the border to clear the way for the train line.
Business
Iraqi Trade Center to be launched at ACC’s headquarters in Jordan
AMMAN, JORDAN - Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and the Iraqi Embassy here agreed to open Iraqi Trade Center at...
- The center's inauguration will allow Jordanian and foreign businesspeople to view investment opportunities offered by the Iraqi government.
- The center will provide Jordanian companies with the opportunity to learn about Iraqi industries and agricultural products.
Geostrategy
Iran pilgrims among 18 dead in Iraq road accident
Baghdad, Iraq--A road accident killed 18 people, mostly Iranian pilgrims, north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad overnight, the state news...
- According to state media, the accident between Dujail and Samarra also injured 13 people, citing the toll from director of health services in Salaheddine province
- Every year millions of Shiite pilgrims, many of them from Iran, visit the holy shrine city of Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the world's biggest religious gatherings
Geostrategy
Iran FM rejects Macron remarks over Lebanon ‘interference’
Taking a dig at President Emmanuel Macron, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Macron should focus on "situation inside...
- For more than a year, Lebanon has been governed by a caretaker cabinet and without a president since late October
- On a visit to Beirut, Iran's foreign minister called on Lebanon to overcome its political deadlock and elect a president
Geostrategy
Grain deal in focus as Putin, Erdogan all set to meet
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin will host his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, the Kremlin said, amid...
- Russia pulled out from the UN-backed grain agreement that Turkey helped broker in July, effectively revoking safe navigation for civilian ships sailing through the Black Sea.
- Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan said on a visit to Moscow on Thursday that reviving the deal to ship Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea was "critical" for food security.
Geostrategy
Iran’s non-oil export to ECO countries from Mar 21 to July 22 2023 reaches $3.6bn
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran’s export of non-oil products to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states in the first four...
- In the four-month period, Iran exported 8.161 million tons of non-oil commodities to ECO member states.
- In the same period, Iran imported 1.394 million tons of goods, valued at $2.445 billion, from the ECO states.
Geostrategy
Gulf Federation for Electronic Sports formed, will develop regional talent
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Gulf Federation for Electronic Sports was established Thursday on the sidelines of the Next World...
- A total of 14 MoUs and agreements were signed at the Next World Forum, an event in Riyadh that brings together leaders and experts of the gaming and e-sports.
- The agreements included aspects related to federations, sponsorships, proposed values, and education.
Geostrategy
UAE, New Zealand discuss economic cooperation, free trade pact
DUBAI, UAE – Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade discussed deeper economic collaboration,...
- The UAE and New Zealand already share a productive trade relationship, with non-oil trade reaching US$805 million in 2022.
- UAE is New Zealand's leading trading partner in the Arab World, accounting for 2.5 percent of Wellington’s total foreign trade.
Iraq jails Iranian, 4 Iraqis for life for killing US citizen
No Iraqi officials or security sources have been able to tell AFP why the killing of Stephen Troell took place...
- Stephen Troell, who had been living in Baghdad with his family, was shot dead in unclear circumstances on November 7, officials said
- The five men had "confessed" to the murder and said that their intention had been to kidnap Troell for ransom, not to kill him, the source said
Geostrategy
Hong Kong’s Belt and Road summit expands focus to Middle East
Dubai, UAE - The annual Belt and Road Summit being held on September 13 and 14 in Hong Kong will...
- The Belt and Road Initiative, China's ambitious plan to boost international trade and connectivity, encompasses both the Middle East and Southeast Asia
- Hong Kong aims to leverage its strategic location and expertise to facilitate economic collaboration between these regions
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Hamas says Israeli hostages to be freed before Trump peace summit
As part of the deal's first phase, Hama will free the captives, 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive,...
Geostrategy
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In skies, as on land, European forces face gaps if US pulls back
Leeuwarden, Netherlands - Fighter jets from the United States, France, Finland and Germany roar into the skies from a Dutch...
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Bridges in the Gulf: wealthy states mediate crisis after crisis
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - When US and Iranian negotiators meet in Oman on Saturday they will be just the...
Geostrategy
Trump warns of military option; Iran threatens to end UN nuclear inspections before Oman talks
Last month, Trump sent a letter to Khamenei, who has the final say in matters of state in Iran, calling...
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Turkey opposition to fight Erdogan ‘until the end’: leader tells AFP
The Turkish opposition will fight "until the end" against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the opposition CHP party...
- Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel demanded snap polls that would show the "biggest no confidence vote in history" against Erdogan
- Imamoglu's arrest sparked the biggest opposition protests to grip Turkey since 2013 although the rallies have dipped in intensity over the past 10 days
Geostrategy
US reiterates support for Morocco on Western Sahara
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday renewed US support for Morocco's sovereignty and political plan for Western Sahara, a...
- Trump, during his first term in office, in 2020 recognized Morocco's claim to the vast desert territory after the kingdom normalized relations with Israel
- Morocco mostly controls the former Spanish colony but has been challenged for decades by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front
Geostrategy
Israel seizes Gaza territory as Macron signals imminent French recognition of Palestinian statehood
French President Emmanuel Macron meanwhile said that France plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the "coming months", a move...
- Israel's Defence Minister Katz said that "large areas are being seized and added to Israel's security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated."
- Katz emphasised that Israel would keep increasing pressure on Gaza "until the hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated."