Iran FM in Saudi for talks on Gaza and Lebanon
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's arrival in Saudi Arabia aims to address Israeli military aggression in Gaza and Lebanon, seeking...Geostrategy
HRW: Israeli strikes endanger civilians on Lebanon-Syria border
Human Rights Watch said the strikes were "impeding civilians trying to flee and disrupting humanitarian operations", adding: "The situation places...Geostrategy
Israel releases 30 Palestinian civilians in latest exchange
The truce agreement between Israel and Hamas stipulates that a minimum of 10 Israeli hostages should be released alive each...The civilians -- including 23 minors and seven women -- were released hours after eight Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas
Since the truce came into force on November 24, the agreement has resulted in the freeing of 110 hostages, including 80 Israelis
Europe to splurge record $295bn on military in 2023, says official
Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022 provided Europe with a wake-up call that it needed to pump more into...The European Defense Agency (EDA) said six countries had increased their spending by over 10 percent in 2022.
"Our armed forces must be ready for a much more demanding era," said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
EU agree draft rules to protect journalists from abusive lawsuits
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on X, formerly Twitter, that she welcomed the agreement to "protect those...The Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are aimed at intimidating critics with burdensome legal action
The new rules would allow a person targeted by a SLAPP lawsuit to request a rapid rejection by the courts
MoHRE asks over 12,000 private firms to meet Emiratization targets
DUBAI, UAE – The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has notified over 12,000 private companies with 20-49 workers...Companies with 20-49 workers will be required to hire one UAE national in 2024 and another one in 2025.
This step is expected to create around 12,000 jobs annually for UAE nationals in 2024 and 2025 in various sectors.
Debt Settlement Fund waives default loans worth over US$107m in UAE
DUBAI, UAE - The Citizens Debts Settlement Fund announced the exemption of 1,244 citizens from their debts with a total...The settlement of debts is subject to specific and strict laws and standards regarding the quality of loans and their areas of expenditure.
Officials of banks, financial institutions and national companies expressed their pleasure and pride in taking part in this national initiative.
Henry Kissinger, singular US diplomat, dead at 100
Kissinger's family would hold a private funeral, with a memorial service to take place later in New York, where Kissinger...Kissinger, arguably the most identifiable secretary of state in modern times, died at his home in Connecticut, announced Kissinger Associates
Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiations to end the Vietnam War, even though the conflict did not immediately end
30 Palestinian civilians freed under truce deal: Israel
The overnight releases, which came after a sixth batch of hostages were freed from Gaza, bring the number of Palestinian...During the night, 30 male and female security civilians were released from a number of prison facilities," the country's prison service said in a statement
Among those freed was Ahed Tamimi, a 22-year-old activist who has become a key figure for Palestinians defying the Israeli occupation
Israel’s security impossible without resolving Palestinian problem: Russia
United Nations - Israel’s security can be ensured only through a lasting solution to the Palestinian problem and Russia is...Many questions arise about ways of reviving Gaza and about the future lasting solution to the Palestinian problem in general, Vasily Nebenzya said
The mechanism of external backing for conditions for a lasting, stable settlement on the basis of the two-state solution should be really representative, he added
UAE presents its maritime contributions at IMO meet in UK
DUBAI, UAE - Presenting its category B candidacy in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council at the organization’s focus group...The UAE’s strategic location at the crossroads of global shipping routes has enabled it to become a central maritime hub in the world.
The country has strived to achieve continuous development in the maritime industry, which is a key pillar of its national economy.
Google to pay Canadian media $73m annually after a deal with Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada -- The Canadian government and Google have reached a deal to support the country's media, heading off an...The amount is less than the government-estimated compensation, but heads off a potential online blackout for news in Canada, where Google and Meta are the dominating platforms.
The agreement will reportedly allow Google to negotiate with a single group representing all Canadian media, rather than one-on-one deals.
