Israel’s Druze organise aid for violence-hit Syria community
In the quiet Galilee village of Julis, Israeli Druze volunteers are busy collecting food donations and gathering information to support...Geostrategy
World economies reel from Trump’s tariffs
The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position while...Economy Geostrategy
European Union says Israel has agreed to ‘expand’ Gaza aid access
"This deal means more crossings open, aid and food trucks entering Gaza, repair of vital infrastructure and protection of aid...Gaza's two million residents are facing dire humanitarian conditions as Israel has severely limited aid during its devastating war with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The current system of aid distribution by a US- and Israeli-backed group has drawn international condemnation.
Syria rejects federalism, calls on Kurdistan forces to join army ranks
Syria reiterated its rejection of federalism on Wednesday following a meeting with a Kurdish military official, calling on Kurdish forces...The Kurds, who control vast swathes of territory in Syria's north, including oil and gas fields, have demanded a decentralised system of governance
A Syrian government source told the official Alekhbariah television channel on Wednesday that Damascus remained committed to "the principle of 'One Syria, One Army, One Government'
Israeli army says intercepted missile launched from Yemen
The Israeli army said early Thursday it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, days after carrying out strikes on..."Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted," the army wrote on social media platform X
The Huthis said Monday that they boarded and sank another vessel, the Magic Seas, because its owner had done business with Israel and used its ports
Hamas agrees partial hostage release in ‘difficult’ truce talks after Qatar-brokered indirect talks
The group's statement came after four days of indirect talks brokered by Qatar and as the United States signalled its...group's statement came after four days of indirect talks brokered by Qatar and as the US signalled its belief that agreement for a 60-day truce would be struck this week
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said part of the deal would be the return of 10 living hostages held by militants since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which sparked the war
Iran nuclear programme ‘very delayed’ by strikes: French intel chief
Iran's nuclear programme has been "very, very delayed" by US and Israeli strikes, France's foreign intelligence chief said on Tuesday,...US President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran's key nuclear facilities were "obliterated" in last month's air strikes, angrily bashing assessments to the contrary
Asked how much the strikes had delayed Iran's nuclear programme, Nicolas Lerner, head of the DGSE French spy agency, said: "Undeniably various months, certainly."
Trump holds fresh talks with Netanyahu to end Gaza ‘tragedy’
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time in 24 hours Tuesday as the US president intensified the...Netanyahu's return to the White House for fresh talks came after Qatari mediators warned it would take time to seal an elusive ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas at talks in Doha
"It's a tragedy, and he wants to get it solved, and I want to get it solved, and I think the other side wants to," Trump said as he announced that Netanyahu was coming back
Iran FM holds talks with Saudi Crown Prince after Tehran’s ceasefire with Israel
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country hoped the truce would contribute to regional stability, and emphasised Riyadh's position...Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country hoped the truce would contribute to regional stability
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi "expressed his gratitude" to Riyadh for its condemnation of Israel's attacks on Iran last month
UN experts warn of torture risk as US deports migrants to third countries
Geneva, Switzerland -- UN experts decried Tuesday the US resumption of migrant deportations to third countries, including to war-torn South...The experts stressed that assessments of potential dangers faced by deportees "must be individual as well as country-specific".
They highlighted that the United States had agreed to adhere to international obligations to prevent so-called refoulement, including under the Convention Against Torture.
Trump says ‘no extensions’ to Aug 1 tariff deadline
While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 percent tariff on goods from almost all trading partners in April, higher rates customized...On Monday night, Trump had told reporters at a dinner that the August 1 deadline was "firm, but not 100 percent firm."
Pressed on whether the letters were his final offer, Trump replied: "I would say final -- but if they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we'll do it."
AI needs to be smaller, reduce energy footprint: UNESCO study
Paris, France -- The potential of artificial intelligence is immense -- but its equally vast energy consumption needs curbing, with...OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said that each request sent to ChatGPT consumes on average 0.34 Wh of electricity, which is 10-70 times a Google search.
UNESCO calculated that AI energy demand is doubling every 100 days as generative AI tools become embedded in everyday life.
