Macron, Putin discuss Iran, Ukraine in first talks since 2022
One week after a ceasefire ended Israel's 12-day war with Iran, the two men also discussed Tehran's nuclear programme, with...
Geostrategy
Gaza rescuers say Israeli forces kill 48 as ceasefire calls mount
The swift resolution of Israel's 12-day war with Iran has revived hopes for a halt to the fighting in Gaza,...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
UN chief calls on ‘all parties’ to preserve stability in Libya
UN chief Antonio Guterres called Friday on "all parties to continue to preserve stability in Libya as a top priority,"...
- The UN chief's statement did not mention by name either Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah or the new prime minister appointed on Thursday, Fathi Bashagha
- Guterres also did not repeat what his spokesman had said a day earlier, namely that the UN has continued to support Dbeibah as interim prime minister
Geostrategy
Israel, UAE invite joint research proposals from varsities, research institutes
The UAE and Israel are inviting universities and research institutes in both countries to submit joint research proposals based on...
- Successful proposals will be selected by a joint UAE-Israel committee, which will choose one project to be funded.
- The selected research project will receive $200,000 of funding from the UAE Space Agency and Israel Space Agency.
Economy
IEA warns of ‘chronic’ OPEC+ failure to meet 2022 oil demand
The 13 members of the Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their 10 allies, including Russia, had...
- The group began to increase output last year, renewing every month a target of 400,000 barrels per day, as demand and prices recovered.
- But analysts have said some members, such as Angola and Nigeria, have been unable to scale up their production and others are unwilling to do so.
Geostrategy
‘Difficult talks’ over Ukraine to resume again in March
German, Russian, Ukrainian and French representatives have agreed to meet again in March after "difficult talks" in Berlin, sources close...
- The meeting in the so-called four-way "Normandy" format late Thursday lasted more than nine hours
- Mediation between Russia and Ukraine by Berlin and Paris led to the Minsk agreement of 2015, but Kyiv and Moscow regularly accuse each other of violating its terms
Geostrategy
Iranians get behind wheel to mark 43rd anniversary of Islamic revolution
Thousands of Iranians drove through Tehran on Friday to mark the 43rd anniversary of the country's Islamic Revolution, staying in...
- Due to the pandemic, state television said this year, as the previous year, there should be "no gathering or marching" by those celebrating the 1979 overthrow of the shah's regime.
- Instead, people travelled by car, motorcycle and bicycle, to converge on the capital's iconic Azadi Square, despite chilly temperatures.
Geostrategy
Algeria’s Sonatrach signs deal to restart Libya operations
The Algerian group announced the deal during a visit to the neighbouring North African country by its chief Toufik Hakkar.
- The Algerian group announced the deal during a visit to the neighbouring North African country by its chief Toufik Hakkar
- The Sonatrach statement said the oil and gas giant planned to “redouble efforts for a swift return” to its activities in Libya
Geostrategy
EU chief unveils 150-bn-euro investment plan for Africa
The scheme is the first regional plan that seeks to mobilise up to 300 billion euros ($340 billion) for public...
- The scheme is the first regional plan that seeks to mobilise up to 300 billion euros ($340 billion) for public and private infrastructure around the world by 2027
- Seen as a response to China's Belt and Road initiative, the strategy will use funding from EU institutions and member countries to leverage private-sector investment
Geostrategy
Lebanon bars Bahrain opposition from holding Beirut events
On Thursday, Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said he was banning ‘two events’ organized by Bahraini opposition figures.
- The decision comes weeks after Lebanon ordered the expulsion of members of Bahrain's leading opposition party, Al-Wefaq
- The party had held a news conference in Beirut that had irked authorities in the Gulf kingdom, where it is banned
Geostrategy
Arab Economic and Social Council backs Saudi bid to host Expo 2030
The League called upon the Arab countries to contribute to mobilizing international support for the Kingdom’s request to host the...
- The League called upon the Arab countries to contribute to mobilizing international support for the Kingdom’s request to host the exhibition
- The League held 109th ministerial session of the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League, which was held Thursday at the headquarters of the Arab League
Geostrategy
US President under pressure as Iran nuclear talks resume
The subject of the Iran nuclear deal has been somewhat on mute in Washington after 10 months of indirect talks...
- Supporters and opponents of the agreement have been making their voices heard in Washington in recent days
- US negotiator Rob Malley on Wednesday gave a closed-door briefing to the US Senate on the topic
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Macron, Putin discuss Iran, Ukraine in first talks since 2022
One week after a ceasefire ended Israel's 12-day war with Iran, the two men also discussed Tehran's nuclear programme, with...
Geostrategy
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Years after civil war, security wall holds back Iraqi city
Built more than a decade ago at the height of Iraq's civil war which tore apart the multi-faith, multi-ethnic country,...
Geostrategy
‘Multilateral cooperation remains crucial for peace’
"The UAE’s priority (amid the ongoing Gaza conflict) is to work towards reaching a ceasefire, safeguarding the lives of civilians,...
Geostrategy
Israeli protesters demand return of hostages, elections
Demonstrators marched through the city's Habima Square, a frequent protest site, with some carrying signs calling Netanyahu "the face of...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
US-led coalition base in Iraq hit by missiles
Al-Asad airbase was targeted by 15 rockets" fired from Anbar province, which is home to the military base, an Iraqi...
- A US defense official confirmed that "missiles impacted Al-Asad airbase", adding that a joint damage assessment was under way with coalition and Iraqi forces.
- The attack on the air base comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
Science
NASA loses contact with its mini-helicopter on Mars
WASHINGTON, US - NASA has lost contact with its tiny helicopter Ingenuity during the hard-working craft's 72nd flight, the space agency...
- In a post on X, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory added that Perseverance was temporarily "out of line-of-sight with Ingenuity.
- NASA has lost contact with the helicopter before, including for an agonizing two months last year.
Geostrategy
Hamas rejects US president’s comment on two-state solution
A senior Hamas official dismissed comments by US President Joe Biden about the possibility of Israel agreeing to the establishment...
- "The illusion that Biden is preaching about a state of Palestine and its characteristics does not fool our people," a Hamas member said.
- The call between Biden and Netanyahu came a day after the Israeli leader said he opposes allowing Palestinian sovereignty.