New Gaza-bound flotilla sets off from Sicily, EU officials on board
A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to "break...
Geostrategy
Concluded days after Israeli strikes on Qatar, Pakistan-Saudi defence pact oozes with unknowns
The new mutual defence pact signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month surprised many and came just days after...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Quake-hit Syrians brace for subdued Ramadan
Now displaced in the rebel-held countryside of northern Syria, she places on the bare ground of her shelter a few...
- The conflict, which erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of peaceful protests, cost the lives of over 500,000 people
- The United Nations warned last week that Syria faced "unprecedented levels of poverty and food insecurity".
Geostrategy
No plans of reviving West Bank settlements, says Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the parliamentary vote scraps "a discriminatory and humiliating law, that prohibited Jews from living...
- Israeli parliament had revoked a law Tuesday that banned Jewish settlers from residing in some areas of occupied West Bank.
- In 2005, the Israeli government had vacated the Gaza Strip and removed Jewish settlers from four areas of occupied West Bank.
Business
UAE, Pakistan discuss ways to enhance mutual trade, investment
The UAE accounts for over 40% of Pakistan's trade with Arab countries, with non-oil exports from the UAE to Pakistan...
- UAE is Pakistan's leading investment partner in the Gulf and fifth at a global level, a report said at the end of 2021.
- The non-oil trade between the two hit the figures of $7 bn in 2022, marking an increase of 30 percent compared to 2021.
Geostrategy
Tear gas fired at Lebanon protest against economic meltdown
Lebanon's economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent global history, has plunged most...
- The Lebanese pound, officially pegged at 15,000 to the dollar, has been trading on parallel markets at more than 100,000 against the greenback.
- Some protesters shouted slogans against the political elite, widely blamed for the country's financial collapse.
Geostrategy
UN’s water report: Floods cause $650bn in damages in 19 years
UN Water forum published its report as the first major conference on the issue in nearly a half-century is set...
- Global water consumption has increased by about 1 percent per year over the past four decades.
- Warming also intensifies and raises the frequencies of droughts, which over the same period affected 1.4 billion people.
Israel missiles hit Syria’s Aleppo airport: monitor
It was the second such attack in a month on the airport in Syria's second city, which has been a major...
- The transport ministry said the Israeli strikes caused damage to the runway and to airport equipment, forcing all flights to be redirected to Damascus or to Latakia
- Since civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes against its neighbor, primarily targeting positions of the Syrian army
Xi by his side, Putin accuses west of rejecting Beijing’s peace proposals
Putin called the talks with Chinese president "meaningful and frank" and said that Russia, which has been largely cut out...
- Putin said he was open to talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing's 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue
- Energy is a key focus of Xi's visit, and Putin announced the two countries had reached an agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline
Interview
‘Strategic position makes UAE key blockchain, Web 3 player’
There is a need for more regulations in the cryptocurrency industry to prevent immoral and aberrant behavior, says Anthony Scaramucci,...
- There is a need for more regulations in the cryptocurrency industry to prevent immoral and aberrant behavior, says Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications head
- The blockchain and Web 3 are the future, and UAE's well-designed cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi make them critical players in the industry, adds SkyBridge Capital founder Scaramucci
Geostrategy
China diplomatic offensive lays down new challenge for US
But US officials and experts say that China's diplomacy is not so much about ending the war as an attempt...
- Xi pushed forward positions on Ukraine during two days of talks in Moscow, a week after China announced the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia
- The United States has been skeptical of China's diplomatic offensive, believing its proposed ceasefire would only provide time for Russia to regroup forces
Geostrategy
Israel annuls law banning settlers from residing in West Bank areas
The parliamentary vote notably paves the way for Israeli authorities to formally allow settlers to return to Homesh, the only...
- An amendment approved by lawmakers overnight permits Israelis to return to the West Bank settlement sites near the city of Nablus.,
- Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who claimed "there isn't a Palestinian people", heralded the parliamentary vote as "historic".
New Gaza-bound flotilla sets off from Sicily, EU officials on board
A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to "break...
Geostrategy
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Biden ready to ‘adjust’ US forces in Mideast amid tensions: White House
Washington, United States - President Joe Biden ordered US forces in the Middle East to be adjusted "as necessary," the White...
Geostrategy
Tens of thousands protest against Lebanon ‘bloodbath’ in Iran, Yemen
The demonstrations in Tehran and other Iranian cities were responding to a call by authorities on Wednesday to demonstrate in...
Geostrategy
Helpless! Top EU diplomat regrets failure to ‘stop’ Netanyahu
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell voiced regret Friday that no power, including the United States, can "stop" Israeli Prime...
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Geostrategy
US offers $20 mn for info on Iranian behind Bolton assassination plot
Washington, United States- The US State Department announced a $20 million reward on Thursday for information leading to the arrest of...
- US officials said in August 2022 that they had uncovered a plot by Shahram Poursafi, a member of Iran's IRGC to kill Bolton who served as NSA to former president Trump
- The State Department's "Rewards for Justice" program "is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction" of Poursafi, a notice said
US gives US$8.7 billion in military aid to Israel amid global push for a ceasefire
While international pressure on Israel for ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza intensifies, Netanyahu refuses to slow down military operations. Lebanese...
- Lebanese authorities said Thursday that more than 1,500 people had been killed in almost a year of cross-border violence
- Yemen’s Huthis: “will not hesitate to support Lebanon and Hezbollah” as cross-border fire between the Lebanese group and Israel intensifies
Geostrategy
Ceasefire calls mount as Israeli troops on alert for Lebanon incursion
International calls for restraint mounted Wednesday after Israel's army chief told soldiers to prepare for a possible ground offensive against...
- Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed 72 people on Wednesday
- Biden met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly to discuss ceasefire efforts