Israel declares ceasefire, begins troops pullback and Gazans start returning home
After two years of brutal war, the families of Israel's remaining hostages in the territory were also hoping the truce...
Geostrategy
US envoys arrive at Gaza truce talks as Egypt, Hamas voice ‘optimism’
Both sides have responded positively to Trump's plan, which calls for a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages held...
Geostrategy
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.
Geostrategy
France pledges more weapons to Ukraine after Zelensky’s Europe tour
In a visit to various European capitals to hold consultations with his allies, Zelensky dined with French President Emmanuel Macron...
- Macron's office said France will supply Ukraine with armour -- without specifying the number of vehicles -- but demurred on sending much-coveted fighter jets
- Volodymyr Zelensky's arrival in Paris followed a visit to Rome on Friday, where he met with Italian leaders and Pope Francis, and a weekend stop in Germany
Thais reject army-backed govt, opposition considers coalition
Thais voted in large numbers after an election campaign pitting a young generation yearning for change against the conservative elite...
- With ballots counted from 97 percent of polling stations, Election Commission data showed MFP on 13.5 million in the popular vote followed by Pheu Thai on 10.3 million
- The progressive Move Forward Party's leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, declared it had "closed the door" on any chance of army-backed parties forming a minority government
Geostrategy
Turkey’s Erdogan and challenger appear headed for runoff election
Appearing before a large crowd of supporters, Erdogan proclaimed himself to be ready to lead the nation for another five...
- The voter turnout touched 90 percent in what is being seen as a referendum on Turkey's longest-serving leader and his Islamic-rooted party
- Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the opposition leader, trailed with 45.0 percent vote, an unlikely outcome for a leader who was shown in the lead in pre-election polls
Israel declares ceasefire, begins troops pullback and Gazans start returning home
After two years of brutal war, the families of Israel's remaining hostages in the territory were also hoping the truce...
Geostrategy
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Syria since Assad’s overthrow: latest developments
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said that all rebel factions in Syria would "be disbanded and the fighters trained to...
Jolani vows to disband rebel factions, integrate fighters into Syria’s Defence Ministry for unity
Jolani emphasized unity in Syria, advocating a social contract among religions for justice, while urging diplomats to lift sanctions to...
Nations step up outreach to Syria’s post-Assad rulers
Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels...
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Geostrategy
US contacts Syria’s HTS, Turkey reopens embassy, as Assad allies Iran and Russia face setbacks
The United States said Saturday it had made contact with Syria's victorious Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels, despite previously designating the...
- US Secretary of State Blinken's comment on "direct contact" with the HTS rebels came despite the US having designated the group as terrorists
- While Blinken and other diplomats held talks on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, Turkey reopened its embassy in Damascus
G7 meeting to address Syria’s challenges following Assad’s ouster
Damascus, Syria - G7 leaders will meet virtually Friday to discuss the momentous changes underway in Syria, where the interim government...
- Assad fled Syria after a lightning offensive spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies
- The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said Thursday that 1.1 million people, mostly women and children, had been displaced since the rebels took over
UNRWA warns of ‘apocalyptic’ conditions as Israeli airstrikes target aid, refugee camps, kill 58
The latest bloodshed came despite growing optimism that negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal might finally succeed, with...
- The UN and aid agencies have repeatedly warned about the acute humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip, exacerbated by the war that has persisted for over 14 months
- Families of the 96 hostages still in Gaza since the Hamas attack that triggered the war, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead, are pressing for their release