Israel vows ‘harsh response’ to Hezbollah attack
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed a "harsh response" to a Hezbollah rocket launch targeting a military position on MondayGeostrategy
Israel PM again warns Iran after top diplomat talks of revising nuclear doctrine if more sanctions imposed
The renewed war of words between the Middle East foes came as Iran prepares to hold key nuclear talks with...Geostrategy
Global alliances key to educational advancement
"We are dedicated to supporting scientific research and innovation through strategic partnerships and pioneering initiatives, focusing on future-oriented sciences for...UAE Education Minister Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi advocates for public-private partnerships in education, emphasizing the importance of sharing expertise to boost quality.
During his UK visit, he underscores UAE's dedication to education, focusing on elevating the EdTech sector, curriculum development, and supporting Emirati students abroad.
Hamas gives ‘initial’ approval to plan for Gaza war pause
A Hamas source had told AFP the three-stage plan would start with an initial six-week halt to the fighting that...Mediators pushed ahead with peace efforts as fighting raged in Gaza and as Qatar-based Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was expected in Cairo for talks on Thursday or Friday
Hamas has been reviewing a proposal for a six-week pause and a hostage-captives exchange, a Hamas source had told AFP after the Paris meeting
Pegasus used in Jordan to spy on key figures, says report
Paris, France - Hackers have used the notorious Pegasus spyware to break into the phones of dozens of journalists and activists...Pegasus can seize control of a phone's microphone and camera and access documents, and a leak in 2021 showed how governments used it to spy on critics.
Daoud Kuttab, a Palestinian-American journalist in Jordan, had his phone hacked three times in 2022 and 2023 and faced a further seven failed attempts.
Assailant takes hostages in Gaza protest in Turkey, says police
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - An assailant on Thursday took a number of people hostage at a plant owned by US cosmetics giant...A union representing workers at the consumer goods plant said the assailant was holding seven people hostage.
The man was standing next to a drawing of the Palestinian flag and the words "for Gaza" painted on the wall in red.
US to sell drones worth $4bn to India to bolster its defenses against China
The United States approved a $4 billion sale of state-of-the-art drones to India, offering a new edge to the growing...Indian officials had discussed the drones during a state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
After months of discussion, the State Department said it had informed Congress of the sale..
Indian authorities tear down 600 year-old mosque in Delhi
New Delhi, India - Bulldozers have knocked down a centuries-old mosque in India's capital, a member of the building's managing committee...The Masjid Akhonji in New Delhi, which its caretakers say is around 600 years old, was home to 22 students enrolled in an Islamic boarding school
It was torn down on Tuesday in a forest of Mehrauli, an affluent neighborhood dotted with centuries-old ruins from settlements predating modern Delhi
Saudi Arabia not part of BRICS yet, still considering invite: Report
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia remains undecided on accepting the BRICS bloc's invitation to join, despite initial claims of...South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor's recently asserted the kingdom's membership, but a Saudi official told Reuters the Kingdom has not yet responded to the invitation.
BRICS had extended membership offers to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Argentina, and Ethiopia last August.
Mediators push for Gaza truce as UNRWA warns its activities may stop
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said that "if the funding remains suspended, we will most likely be forced to shut down...UN rights experts voiced alarm at soaring numbers of journalists killed in the Gaza war, decrying an apparent "deliberate" Israeli strategy to silence critical reporting.
119 people were killed in the latest night of Israeli strikes; "There is a massacre taking place right now," said Leo Cans of international aid group Doctors Without Borders.
OPEC+ panel reaffirms cartel’s current output reduction strategy
In an effort to shore up prices, the OPEC+ oil alliance of 23 nations has implemented supply cuts of more...In a statement following a meeting via videoconference, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of OPEC+ stopped short of making any recommendations on its output policy.
However, the panel said it "reviewed the crude oil production data for the months of November and December 2023", noting the "high conformity" among participating nations.
Spain urges WTO meet in UAE to address de-globalization
ABU DHABI, UAE - Madrid wants the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) here next...The ministerial meeting (MC13) will convene representatives of 164 nations and trading blocs.
MC13 will seek key reforms to the global trading system, including expanding WTO membership .
