With cash and aid, Saudi Arabia pursues soft power push in Syria
Saudi Arabia has spent months courting Syria's new leaders, aiming to draw closer a country long dominated by Iran and...
Geostrategy
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
World Bank to provide Turkey $1.78 bn for recovery after quake
The 7.8-magnitude quake struck as people slept early Monday, with Turkish officials saying that over 70,000 people have been injured...
- Immediate assistance of $780 million will be offered via Contingent Emergency Response Components from two existing projects in Turkey
- An added $1 billion in operations is being prepared to support people affected amid recovery and reconstruction from the catastrophe
Geostrategy
Hopes of finding survivors fade as Turkey-Syria quake toll nears 20,000
Bitter cold has hampered the four-day search of thousands of flattened buildings and threatened the lives of many quake victims...
- Chances of finding survivors have dimmed now that the 72-hour mark that experts consider the most likely period to save lives has passed.
- Despite the dimming hopes for rescues, thousands of local and foreign searchers have not given up in the hunt for more survivors.
Geostrategy
European Union leaders offer ‘full solidarity’, aid to Erdogan
Brussels, Belgium--The 27 EU leaders wrote to their Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday to express their "full...
- The leaders sent their message at the start of their Brussels summit. A video call with Erdogan was contemplated but it was not clear if this would be possible.
- Many countries around the world, including EU members, have sent emergency teams and aid, and Europe is keen to do more, fearing a new wave of refugees from the region.
Economy
Turkey, Syria quake economic losses may exceed $4 billion: Fitch
More than 17,500 people have died so far in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria.
- More than 17,500 people have died so far in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria.
- Insured losses will be much lower, possibly around $1 billion, due to low insurance coverage in the area.
Geostrategy
Row over West Bank outpost exposes Israel cabinet split
Jerusalem--Cracks have emerged within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government, with a row over the demolition of a settlement...
- Netanyahu vowed in December to expand settlements across the West Bank, as he returned to power at the helm of the most right-wing government in Israeli history.
- Despite being considered illegal by the state, two far-right members of the cabinet, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, objected.
Geostrategy
Bahrain loses state immunity bid in spyware lawsuit in UK filed by dissidents
According to Saeed Shehabi and Moosa Mohammed, Bahrain infected their computers with FinSpy spying software, allowing agents access their data.
- According to Saeed Shehabi and Moosa Mohammed, Bahrain infected their computers with FinSpy spying software, allowing agents access their data
- The software also allows users to enable microphones and cameras on electronic gadgets to perform live surveillance and monitor their whereabouts
Geostrategy
Rival Libya administrations agree to remove foreign fighters: UN
Cairo, Egypt-- Senior Libyan officials from both rival administrations on Wednesday endorsed a coordination mechanism to clear the war-torn country of...
- According to UN estimates there are more than 20,000 foreign fighters, both military and paramilitary, in the country
- The country descended into a decade of violence following the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed rebellion
Geostrategy
Morocco criticizes ‘unjust’ EU campaign over Pegasus spyware
Rabat, Morocco--The Moroccan parliament decried Wednesday an "unjust campaign" against it at the European Parliament ahead of a hearing in Brussels...
- The parliament is set to hear from experts, human rights defenders and journalists on Thursday on claims that Morocco had used the spyware against politicians and journalists
- The Moroccan parliament voted unanimously to review ties with the European Parliament, accusing it of meddling
Geostrategy
Algeria recalls envoy from France in fresh outbreak of tensions
Tensions between Algeria and France have spiked again after Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Wednesday decided to recall his country's...
- According to a statement released by Algeria, it has protested against the "clandestine and illegal exfiltration of an Algerian citizen" via Tunisia to France
- Ties between the two countries had been frosty since autumn 2021, but warmed when French President Emmanuel Macron visited Algiers last August
Geostrategy
Syria’s White Helmets rescuers urge international quake help
First responders from the group that was formed a decade ago to save the lives of civilians during Syria's civil...
- Their volunteers include 3,300 young men and women, including 1,600 dedicated to search and rescue operations.
- AFP correspondents across the war-ravaged country said rescue workers and residents have had to sift through the rubble with their bare hands.
With cash and aid, Saudi Arabia pursues soft power push in Syria
Saudi Arabia has spent months courting Syria's new leaders, aiming to draw closer a country long dominated by Iran and...
Geostrategy
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Israel army says 9 soldiers held over suspected abuse of detainee
The Israeli military said Monday nine soldiers were being held in a case of suspected abuse of a Palestinian detainee...
Geostrategy
Hamas says Netanyahu ‘stalling’ ceasefire deal with new terms
A source with knowledge of the talks said last week that Israel's return with extra demands was "a recurring theme"...
Iran’s Khamenei formally grants Pezeshkian presidential powers
In a message read by the director of Khamenei's office, he said: "I endorse the vote (for) the wise, honest,...
Geostrategy
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Gaza mediators, Israel spy chief to meet in Rome: Egypt media
"A four-way meeting between Egyptian officials and their American and Qatari counterparts, in the presence of Israel's intelligence chief, will...
- Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been involved in months of mediation efforts aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war
- The proposed truce deal would be linked to the release of hostages held by Gaza fighters in exchange for Palestinian captives held in Israel
UAE urges ‘temporary international mission’ for post-war Gaza
Washington has said repeatedly that it opposes post-war government of Gaza by either Israel or Hamas and has called for...
- It came after Arab heads of state called at a summit in May for the deployment of UN peacekeepers across the occupied Palestinian territories, an idea strongly opposed by Israel
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said little about his plans for post-war Gaza, but he wants Israel to retain control of security matters
Geostrategy
Palestinian and Jewish protesters stage rare peace march
Chanting "yes, to peace, yes, to a deal", hundreds of Palestinian and Jewish Israelis marched noisily through Tel Aviv on...
- Their agenda starts with a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but ultimately, they want to reboot Palestinian-Israeli relations,
- According to activists and watchdogs, Palestinian citizens of Israel have struggled to get authorization for anti-war protests