Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’
Despite international alarm, neither side has backed off from the long-range blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented...
Geostrategy
Israel, Iran trade missile fire as Trump warns Tehran to ‘evacuate’
The United States and Iran had engaged in several rounds of indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks,...
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Geostrategy
‘Torture, abuse’ await returning Syrian refugees: HRW
Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan in particular have faced mounting direct and indirect pressure to return to Syria, in violation...
- The UN estimates that over 6.6 million Syrians have been forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
- Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan in particular have faced mounting direct and indirect pressure to return to Syria.
Geostrategy
Iraq’s Hashed supporters protest vote ‘fraud’
The Conquest (Fatah) Alliance, the political arm of the multi-party Hashed, won around 15 of 329 seats.
- The Conquest (Fatah) Alliance, the political arm of the multi-party Hashed, won around 15 of 329 seats
- The big winner this time, with more than 70 seats according to the initial count, was the movement of Moqtada Sadr
Geostrategy
4,000 West Bank Palestinians to get residency rights
Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967 and exercises full administrative control across much of...
- The new approvals will make thousands of people newly eligible to get Palestinian Authority identification documents and change their residential address.
- Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, some 475,000 Israeli Jews live in settlements in the West Bank considered illegal under international law.
Geostrategy
Fear of sanctions a risk for Iran health rights: UN
Many banks and businesses, including pharmaceutical and medical companies around the world, over-comply with sanctions out of fear of potential...
- In one case, this had resulted in a Swedish company halting the sale of bandages to its Iranian partner.
- A UN expert has reached out to the Swedish company and government to address 'shortfalls' in due diligence processes.
Economy
Deficit to surplus: GCC economies on growth track
The combined current account balance of oil exporters in the GCC region is likely to shift from a deficit of...
- UAE economy is expected to grow by 2.2 percent in 2021 and by 4.9 percent in 2022, supported by tourism, oil prices recovery and Expo 2020 activities.
- Saudi Arabia's real GDP growth fell 4.1 in 2020 and is expected to increase to 1.9 percent this year and 4.8 percent in 2022.
Geostrategy
Social unrest may spoil Mideast recovery: IMF
The fund also warned that the longer-term risk of the uneven recovery could permanently widen wealth, income, and social gaps.
- Unemployment rates increased in MENA last year by 1.4 percent to reach 11.6 percent.
- Nearly 80 percent of the Lebanese population lives below the poverty line and the new government struggles with falling value of currency.
Geostrategy
UAE, Bahrain, Qatar among top 10 expat destinations in the world
Overall, the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) was the highest-ranking region for the quality of life, with 71...
- Switzerland, New Zealand and Spain top three destinations followed by Australia, Cyprus, Portugal, Ireland, France and Netherland.
- 65 percent of expats feel optimistic about the year ahead and 75 percent were optimistic 'normality' will return.
Geostrategy
Turkey summons 10 ambassadors over Kavala release call
Activist Osman Kavala, 64, has been in jail without a conviction since 2017.
- Activist Osman Kavala, 64, has been in jail without a conviction since 2017
- The Turkish activist faces a string of charges linked to 2013 anti-government protests
Geostrategy
Lebanon Hezbollah chief says movement has 100,000 fighters
Nasrallah spoke as tensions simmer in Lebanon over the fate of the judge leading a probe into a port explosion.
- Nasrallah spoke as tensions simmer in Lebanon over the fate of the judge leading a probe into a port explosion
- Violence broke out in the heart of Beirut Thursday after supporters of Hezbollah and Amal rallied to call for judge Tarek Bitar to step down
Geostrategy
Who will form next government in Iraq?
A final tally from the ballot, organised to appease youth-led anti-government protests that began in 2019, is expected in the...
- Results so far show Sadr won more than 70 of the 329 parliamentary seats
- This coalition option would see Sadr agreeing to a compromise candidate as prime minister
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Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’
Despite international alarm, neither side has backed off from the long-range blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented...
Geostrategy
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Turkiye health tourism gains momentum
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Gaza death toll tops 21,507 as Israel continues bombing
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 21,507 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since war...
Geostrategy
Google agrees to settle $5bn data privacy breach lawsuit
Google has agreed to settle a consumer privacy lawsuit seeking at least $5 billion in damages over allegations it tracked...
Geostrategy
UN agency says Israel targeted Palestinian aid convoy
Gaza City, Palestinian Territories - The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said on Friday an aid convoy came under fire...
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Israel to negotiate release of Gaza hostages: Netanyahu
Tel Aviv, Israel - Israel is negotiating the release of hostages held by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas in the...
- Netanyahu confirmed to hostages' families that Israel is working to get all the hostages back, adding that Qatar and Egypt have made two separate proposals
- His meeting with the families came ahead of a meeting of the war cabinet to discuss proposals by Qatar and Egypt to mediate in the Israel-Hamas conflict
Hamas delegation to discuss Egypt’s Gaza ceasefire plan
Sources close to Hamas say Cairo's three-stage plan provides for renewable ceasefires, a staggered release of hostages held by Hamas...
- The ceasefire plan was put last week to officials of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which is also battling IDF in the territory, when the chiefs of both movements visited Cairo
- Diaa Rashwan, who heads Egypt's State Information Services, confirmed that Cairo had put forward "a framework intended to bring together the views of all parties concerned
NYC protesters for Gaza ceasefire hold mock funeral
Holding banners demanding an immediate ceasefire, the activists gathered in Manhattan's Bryant Park while some briefly stood in the middle...
- The mock funeral procession headed to New York's iconic Times Square where the protest continued with giant electronic advertisements as a backdrop
- Israel's relentless aerial bombardment and ground invasion have killed at least 21,320 people, mostly women and children, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry