Israel army says will use ‘unprecedented force’ in Gaza City
Israel has pummeled Gaza City with air strikes and tank fire in its bid to seize it, nearly two years...
Geostrategy
Syria announces plan with Jordan, US to restore calm in Druze-majority Sweida
Syrian foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced on Tuesday a plan backed by Jordan and the United States to restore calm...
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France issues arrest warrant for Lebanese central bank chief
A French investigating magistrate issued an international arrest warrant for Lebanon's central bank chief Riad Salameh, a source close to...
- Investigators suspect Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh of building his network of assets with the help of a complex fraudulent financial system.
- Since the start of the year, magistrates from European countries have travelled to Lebanon on three occasions to interview the central banker and his entourage.
Geostrategy
Gazans amid the homes destroyed by Israel
In total, 103 homes were completely destroyed and 140 severely damaged in Israeli military strikes, the United Nations said.
- The ruins of past conflicts -- such as a three-day escalation in August which killed 49 Gazans -- are dotted across the densely populated Palestinian territory.
- With Gaza's poverty rate at 53 percent, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, few people can afford to rebuild their homes.
Business
Russian oil exports hit post-invasion high, says IEA
PARIS, FRANCE - Russia's oil exports rose in April to the highest level since its invasion of Ukraine, boosting revenues by...
- The Paris-based organization said Russian exports increased by 50,000 barrels per day to 8.3 million bpd in April.
- Russia's tax receipts from its oil and gas sector were down by 64 percent year-on-year, the agency added.
Business
European Union backs tougher tax rules on crypto transactions
Regulators worldwide are increasingly worried about the lack of oversight of the digital currency sector but the European Union has...
- During a meeting of EU economy and finance ministers on Tuesday, they agreed on rules to go after individuals who stash their cash where tax authorities have no oversight.
- The rules will close loopholes that allow people to avoid taxation on their income using crypto assets, Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson said.
Geostrategy
Qatar and Bahrain to restart flights in signs of improving relations
Dubai, UAE-- Qatar and Bahrain have agreed to restart flights toward the end of the month, in a sign of...
- The resumption of flights between the estranged countries, according to Bahrain News Agency, falls within "the framework of the brotherly relations between the two countries
- In recent months, GCC countries have patched up differences with each other and begun to focus on their economies, taking advantage of high oil and gas prices
Tunisia sentences opposition chief to one year’s prison on terrorism charge
Ghannouchi, 81, a former speaker of parliament, was arrested last month over different accusations, part of what Human Rights Watch...
- Rached Ghannouchi is among more than 20 of Saied's political opponents, including former ministers and business figures, arrested since February
- The United States said the arrests "represent a troubling escalation by the Tunisian government against perceived opponents"
Geostrategy
UAE invites Syrian President to COP28 summit in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates has invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to attend the UN climate summit in Dubai later this...
- Bashar al-Assad has received an invitation to an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia scheduled for Friday.
- Since Syria's war broke out, President Assad has held onto power and clawed back lost territory.
Geostrategy
Iraqi Kurds await oil export renewal deal with Turkey
ARBIL, IRAQ- Officials in Iraqi Kurdistan say Baghdad is still waiting to reach a "final agreement" with Ankara to resume...
- Crude sales were Kurdistan's economic lifeblood, with 475,000 barrels exported daily via the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
- The suspension of exports represents a shortfall of around "one billion dollars", analyst Kovand Shirwani said.
Geostrategy
Lebanese central bank chief likely to miss hearing in French probe
In March 2022, France, Germany and Luxembourg seized assets worth 120 million euros ($130 million) in a move linked to...
- Salameh, 72, has been the target of a series of judicial investigations both at home and abroad on allegations including fraud, money laundering.
- European investigators looking into the fortune he has amassed during three decades in the job had scheduled a hearing in Paris for Tuesday.
Geostrategy
Syria’s 11-year exile ends, attends first Arab League meeting
"I... take this opportunity to welcome the Syrian Arab Republic to the League of Arab States," Saudi finance minister Mohammed...
- Earlier this month, the pan-Arab body officially welcomed back Syria's government, securing President Bashar al-Assad's return to the Arab fold.
- Qatar said this month it would not normalize relations with Assad's government but also noted this would not be "an obstacle" to Arab League reintegration.
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Israel army says will use ‘unprecedented force’ in Gaza City
Israel has pummeled Gaza City with air strikes and tank fire in its bid to seize it, nearly two years...
Geostrategy
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Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as leader; Israel vows he “won’t last long” amid escalating conflict
Hezbollah's Qassem, succeeding slain Nasrallah, pledges resistance as Israel intensifies Gaza strikes, killing scores. International anger grows after Israel's UNRWA...
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
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Updates: Israel slaps ban on United Nations and kills more than 150 in Lebanon and Gaza
Shunning international pressure, Israeli parliament passed a bill banning a United Nations aid agency, and also intensified its strikes against...
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Updates: Iran calls on UN Security Council to condemn Israeli strikes amid fresh peace efforts
Iran unlikely to escalate situation with Israel, say experts, as UN chief says destruction in Gaza is "shocking". Netanyahu faces...
- Iran sends letter to the UN Council to condemn Israeli "aggression" intelligence chief meet in Doha to discuss ceasefire
- "Repeated efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies essential to survive -- food, medicine and shelter -- continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities..."
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Updates: Israel targets key military sites in Iran amid escalating tensions in Middle East
Explosions sounded across Tehran after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military sites, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle...
- The rapid escalation of violence has heightened fears across the region and beyond of a wider war, pitting Israel against Iran and the allies it dubs the "axis of resistance"
- US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the "targeted strikes on military targets" are " exercise of self-defence and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack
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...
- Previous bids to stop the year-long war have failed, though the United States has voiced hope the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as opening for a deal
- A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group's Doha-based leadership discussed "ideas and proposals" related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo