New Syrian rulers pledge stability, accountability, and reconstruction after Assad’s ouster
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the Islamist leader who headed the rebel offensive, had previously announced talks on a transfer of power...
Turkey confirms Syria talks with Russia and Iran
A meeting was expected on the forum's sidelines between Turkey, and Damascus allies Iran and Russia.
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Britain sanctions ‘Israeli settlers’ in West Bank
London, UK - Britain on Monday announced sanctions on four "extremist Israeli settlers" accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians...
- The curbs follow what the UK called "unprecedented levels of violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank" over the past year.
- The sanctions represent a rare move by London and Washington against Israelis, as war rages with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Economy
IMF, World Bank say Gaza and Red Sea attacks risk to world economy
World Bank President Ajay Banga said that "what's going on Gaza, but also the challenges of Ukraine... and the Red...
- The Israel-Hamas war raging since October has already hit the Middle East and North Africa region's economy, the IMF chief said.
- She said that if there are other "consequences in terms of where the fighting goes, it could be more problematic for the world as a whole".
Business
Energy transition led Saudi Arabia to halt oil expansion, says official
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom's surprise decision to halt a planned expansion of its oil production capacity reflects ambitions to...
- Aramco announced on January 30 that the energy ministry had ordered it to maintain production capacity at 12 million barrels per day.
- Officials in the world's biggest crude exporter did not explain the move, leaving analysts to speculate that it reflected lack of confidence
Geostrategy
Red Sea issue puts Yemen peace process on hold
DUBAI, UAE- As Houthi attacks roil the Red Sea and Western air raids target the rebels, moves to end Yemen's long-running...
- The Iran-backed Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since March 2015, months after they seized the capital Sanaa.
- Hundreds of thousands of people have died in the fighting and from indirect causes such as disease and malnutrition.
Geostrategy
UAE defends Israel ties, calls for two-state solution
Despite maintaining its ties with Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, the UAE has been at pains to...
- The United Arab Emirates and Israel established diplomatic ties in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords
- UAE's ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said her country has a field hospital in Gaza because of cooperation with Israel.
Geostrategy
Relative of freed Israeli hostages appeals for Gaza deal
Talks have been underway for weeks to secure a second truce in the four-month war, which would see more hostages...
- A special forces raid in Gaza's southern city of Rafah saw Louis Har, 70, and Fernando Simon Marman, 60, freed
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stepped up pressure on Israeli authorities to bring home the remaining captives
Geostrategy
Court asks Netherlands to stop export of F-35 parts to Israel
The Appeals Court in The Hague sided with a group of human rights organizations that argued the parts contributed to...
- The Appeals Court in The Hague sided with a group of human rights organizations that argued the parts contributed to violations of law by Israel in its war with Hamas.
- "Israel does not take sufficient account of the consequences for the civilian population when conducting its attacks," said the court.
Business
GPSSA issues circular on pensions, gratuity in UAE
ABU DHABI, UAE – The Emirates General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) has issued a circular to government and...
- The circular included limiting the procedure of deduction from the pension or end-of-service gratuity for the benefit of GPSSA's debt.
- In cases of unlawful disbursement, GPSSA has the right to deduct from other beneficiaries' shares, proportional to their entitlements.
Business
Several nations eager to join Charter of Cooperation, says OPEC Secretary-General
ABU DHABI, UAE - Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Haitham Al Ghais said that OPEC is in...
- The names of these countries will be announced after the completion of the ongoing consultations, the OPEC chief said.
- He said the Charter helps facilitate dialogue and exchange views regarding conditions in the global oil and energy markets.
Vessel reports missile attack off Yemen’s coast: security firms
Another security firm, Ambrey, said the Marshall Islands-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier "was targeted by missiles in two separate incidents" within...
- The incident occurred before 0400 local time (0100 GMT) in an area where Houthi rebels have repeatedly targeted Red Sea shipping in recent months, UKMTO said
- Houthis' attacks prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid Red Sea, a vital route that normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade
New Syrian rulers pledge stability, accountability, and reconstruction after Assad’s ouster
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the Islamist leader who headed the rebel offensive, had previously announced talks on a transfer of power...
Company News
Israel troops push into central Rafah
Geostrategy
Latest News
US personnel injured in rocket attack on Iraq base
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the attack, the White House said. "They discussed...
Geostrategy
Biden to meet national security chiefs as Mideast war fears grow
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his counterparts from the G7 nations that any attack could happen within 24...
Geostrategy
Jordan FM meets Iran president as Middle East tensions soar
The political head of Palestinian group Hamas was killed early on Wednesday in Tehran, where he had attended the inauguration...
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Geostrategy
Fears of Middle East war grow after Hamas leader’s killing
Israel on Saturday again traded fire with Hezbollah, carried out a deadly raid in the occupied West Bank, and struck...
- Israel ally the United States said it would move warships and fighter jets to the region, while Western governments called on their citizens to leave Lebanon
- Iran-backed groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria have already been drawn into the nearly 10-month war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza
Geostrategy
US to deploy more warships, fighter jets to Mideast
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas...
- The announcement comes after Iran and its regional allies vowed retaliation for the killings of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hizbollah commander in Beirut
- The aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, Singh said
Biden says US committed to defend Israel against ‘all threats from Iran’
Biden, who was joined on the call by Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, also emphasized the "ongoing...
- The call between the leaders also came after Israel announced it had "eliminated Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut
- Netanyahu's government has not commented on the slaying of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, but the Palestinian group has blamed Israel