Israel arms exports to UAE, Bahrain, Morocco rise sharply after 2023
Sales to countries considered part of the Abraham Accords -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco who signed groundbreaking...Business Geostrategy
Saudi hosts urge pilgrims to stay indoors during hajj high point
Makkah, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi authorities have asked pilgrims performing the hajj to remain in their tents for several hours...Geostrategy
Brazil calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza at BRICS ministers’ meet
The meeting comes at a critical moment for the world economy after the International Monetary Fund this week slashed growth..."The resumption of Israeli bombardments and the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid are unacceptable," Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said.
The BRICS grouping has expanded significantly since its 2009 inception, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.
China says on ‘right side of history’ in trade standoff with US
Since returning to the presidency in January, US President Donald Trump has imposed 10 percent tariffs on most US trading...The US, China said, "play cards out of thin air, bully and go back on their word", condemning Washington's "unilateralism and bullying."
Beijing, however, has vowed to fight a trade war "to the end" and denied US claims it is in talks with Washington
Trump thinks Zelensky ready to give up Crimea to Russia
US President Donald Trump said he believed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to concede Crimea to Russia as part...Trump also stepped up pressure on Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian president should "stop shooting" and sign an agreement to end the grinding war
Trump's comments came a day after he met Zelensky during the funeral of Pope Francis, breaking the ice after a major row between the US and Ukrainian leaders at the White House
Khamenei orders probe into port blast as Iran’s nuclear talks, regional tensions simmer in background
The New York Times quoted a person with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity...His instructions came after President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the blast scene in Shahid Rajaee Port near the strategic Strait of Hormuz
Defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told state TV that "there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area."
Qatar Prime Minister sees some progress on Gaza truce
"We need to find an answer for the ultimate question: how to end this war. That's, that's basically, I think,...The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps. Israel resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18.
Hamas is open to an agreement to end the war that would see all hostages released and secure a five-year truce, an official told AFP as the group's negotiators met in Cairo.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to settle Syria’s World Bank debt
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced on Sunday that they would settle Syria's debt to the World...Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach to Syria's new rulers since the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December.
The statement came just days after Syria's central bank governor and finance minister attended the IMF and World Bank spring meetings for the first time in more than 20 years.
Massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port kills 18, injures 800
Although the cause of the blast was not immediately clear, the port's customs office said in a statement carried by...The NYT, quoting a person with ties to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that what exploded was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles.
"The intensity of the fire in Shahid Rajaee Port has increased and it is possible that the fire could spread to other areas and containers," state TV said late Saturday.
Trump trade war pushes firms to consider stockpiling
Even if they don't all acknowledge it so openly, firms in many different sectors are stockpiling their products in the United...Whether it's the luxury, electronics or pharmaceutical sectors, US President Donald Trump's unpredictability complicates the calculations of firms.
Some companies didn't wait for Trump's April 2 announcement of massive "reciprocal" trade tariffs: they had already begun shipping more of their goods to the United States.
Palestinian president Abbas appoints Fatah veteran Hussein al Sheikh as potential successor
Abbas's close aide, 69-year-old Hussein was appointed as the first ever vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization after the...The PLO is empowered to negotiate and sign international treaties on behalf of the Palestinian people, while the PA is responsible for governance in parts of the Palestine.
The PLO is an umbrella organization comprising several Palestinian factions, but not Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are currently at war with Israeli forces in Gaza.
Russia says retook Kursk from Ukraine with North Korean help
The Russian army has fully liberated the border Kursk region from Ukrainian control with the help of North Korean soldiers,...Gerasimov especially hailed the "heroism" of the North Korean soldiers taking part in the operation, who provided significant assistance in defeating the group of Ukrainian forces
However, the Ukrainian Chief of Staff acknowledged the situation on the battlefield was "difficult", while insisting Ukrainian forces were still holding positions in Kursk
