Israel military says approved plan for new Gaza offensive
The approval for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel's security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza's largest city,...
Geostrategy
The Elders group of global leaders terms Gaza situation ‘unfolding genocide’
The London-based group also called for the "recognition of the State of Palestine", but added "this will not halt the...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
EU seeks new sanctions on Iran for drones supply to Russia
The hardening EU stance towards Tehran appeared to bury deeper hopes of reviving a 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which has...
- EU diplomats said there was work under way on Wednesday to draw up a list of Iranian individuals and entities linked to the drones.
- Ukraine has for weeks been accusing Iran of supplying Russia with Shahed-136 drones -- unmanned aircraft equipped with a warhead.
Geostrategy
Iran to criminalise sale of VPNs amid protests: Telecom Minister
The Islamic republic has imposed drastic restrictions on internet access as it grapples with demonstrations that flared over the death...
- Iranian media outlets reported last year that lawmakers were working on a draft bill that could further restrict internet access.
- The bill calls for "organizing social media" and the banning of VPN software used widely to bypass internet restrictions and blocks imposed on social media platforms.
Economy
Biden to release 15m barrels from US oil reserves: official
The decision to make the biggest-ever dip into the emergency oil reserves -- usually kept for responding to situations such...
- New tranche of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve will be "completing the 180 million barrel release authorized in the spring," in response to price hikes
- Major energy exporter Russia was hit with US and European sanctions soon after it invaded Ukraine in February, causing turmoil on markets
Geostrategy
Hamas in first Syria visit in decade as relations thaw
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, was one of Assad's closest allies but left Syria in 2012 after condemning his...
- A Hamas leader told AFP the group plans to reopen its Damascus office but that it was "too early" to talk about relocating its headquarters to the Syrian capital
- The thaw between Hamas and Damascus was brokered by Tehran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a senior Hamas source said
Geostrategy
Iran says ready for talks with Ukraine over drone claims
Terming the Ukrainian and Western claims that its military drone are being used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine as...
- Earlier Tuesday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he had suggested to President Volodymyr Zelenksy that Kyiv cut diplomatic ties with Iran
- The United States warned Monday it would take action against companies and nations working with Iran's drone program
Economy
UAE to provide Ukraine with $100m in humanitarian aid
Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy said the UAE's continued efforts to mitigate the humanitarian...
- Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy said the UAE's continued efforts to mitigate the humanitarian impact of the Ukraine crisis
- Al Hashimy added that the UAE has provided similar aid in recent months to Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Moldova
Geostrategy
Russia not planning to end military mobilization ‘yet’, says Kremlin
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - President Vladimir Putin does not plan to end a military mobilization in Russia "yet" but some of...
- "For the moment, there is no presidential decree (on ending mobilization)," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
- Vladimir Putin announced a nationwide military call-up to prop up Moscow's forces in Ukraine on September 21
Geostrategy
Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh to enhance trade, economic ties
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi, have organized the Economic Cooperation Forum...
- Abu Dhabi and Bangladesh bilateral trade and mutual investments are on the rise.
- The Emirate and Bangladesh have organized the Economic Cooperation Forum to enhance mutual investment opportunities.
Geostrategy
Iraq judge quizzes five tax officials over missing $2.5 billion
Local media published a tax authority document showing the funds were withdrawn between September 2021 and August this year, transferred...
- The Baghdad judge summoned five tax office officials, including the director-general, his deputy and a supervisor at the finance and control department.
- Rafidain Bank said in a statement Sunday that it had cashed the cheques on the basis of official correspondence from the tax authority assuring their validity.
Geostrategy
Nord Stream probe tailored against Russia, says Kremlin
The Kremlin said that the investigation into the explosions that tore through the Nord Stream gas pipelines was being 'tailored'...
- Russia has accused Western countries of being behind the explosions of the pipelines.
- Russia had earlier expressed bewilderment over its exclusion from an investigation into the incident.
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Israel military says approved plan for new Gaza offensive
The approval for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel's security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza's largest city,...
Geostrategy
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Israeli minister calls UN ‘anti-Israeli’ as Guterres visits Gaza border
JERUSALEM - Israel's foreign minister said on Saturday the United Nations had become an "anti-Israeli body" under Antonio Guterres, after...
Geostrategy
Putin vows retribution on Moscow concert hall attacks, as toll rises
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to punish those behind a "barbaric terrorist attack" on a Moscow concert hall that killed...
Geostrategy
OPEC Fund provides US$50m loan to support agriculture in quake-hit Türkiye
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) is extending a US$50 million loan to Türkiye to...
Geostrategy
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UN Security Council vote on new Gaza ceasefire text postponed to Monday
Eight of the council's 10 non-permanent members have been working on the draft, which also calls for the "immediate and...
- The new, tougher draft resolution, seen by AFP, "demands an immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan that leads "to a permanent sustainable ceasefire"
- Eight of the council's 10 non-permanent members have been working on the draft, which also calls for the "immediate and unconditional" release of hostages seized by Hamas
UN chief to visit Gaza border as Israel vows to go ahead with Rafah attack
On Saturday, UN chief Guterres plans to meet with aid workers on the Egyptian side of Rafah, just across the...
- During his visit, Guterres plans to reiterate his call for ceasefire, though international pressure has so far failed to dissuade Israel from the planned ground offensive in Rafah
- Despite warnings that such an invasion would cause mass civilian casualties and worsen the humanitarian crisis, Netanyahu said he must press ahead with the attack
Geostrategy
UN official urges $4bn humanitarian aid for cash-strapped Syria
Beirut, Lebanon - A UN official on Friday appealed for about $4 billion in humanitarian assistance for Syria, warning funding was...
- "In 2024, we are appealing for $4.07 billion to provide lifesaving aid to 10.8 million Syrians, out of 16.7 million people assessed to be in need of assistance," he said
- Abdelmoula also noted "Syria's vulnerability to climate shocks", exacerbated by conflict, warning of water scarcity and "heatwaves impacting agriculture and livestock"