US-backed group says it has begun aid distribution in Gaza
A controversial US-backed aid group for Gaza announced Monday that it had begun distributing food in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory,...Geostrategy
Trump slams ‘crazy’ Putin as Russia pummels Ukraine with massive drone attack
US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "crazy" on Sunday after Moscow launched a deadly barrage of...Geostrategy
US blames Iran for targeting tanker off India coast
It was the first time the Pentagon has accused Iran of directly targeting ships since the start of Israel's war...A Pentagon statement said Saturday's Indian Ocean attack took place around 10 am local time
Ambrey, a maritime security firm, said the "chemical/products tanker was Israel-affiliated"
Yemen warring parties agree to ceasefire: UN envoy
UN special envoy Hans Grundberg's announcement marks the latest step to end the nine-year war that has killed hundreds of...Grundberg said he "welcomes the parties' commitment to implement a nation-wide ceasefire
Yemen has been gripped by conflict since Houthi rebels took control of the capital Sanaa in 2014
Iran slams UN for its failure to stop Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi slammed the "inefficacy" of international bodies to halt fighting between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas which...The UNSC resolution urged the creation of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities", without calling for an immediate end to the fighting,
"The inability and inefficacy of international organizations has become clear to everyone in the world," the Iranian President said.
Families of Gaza’s Christians tense due to war
Jerusalem - Khalil Sayegh lives in the United States and for days he anxiously awaited news of his family who...The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that on December 16 two Christian women were "murdered" by an Israeli army sniper.
A Jerusalem-based nun,said she is only able to reach two other nuns sheltering at the Holy Family Church every three or four days.
Israeli evacuation diktat leaves Gaza without safe zone, says UN body
Israel's latest evacuation order for civilians in the central Gaza Strip would force them to relocate to areas "where there..."The Israeli army just orders people to move into areas where there are ongoing air strikes. No place is safe, nowhere to go," said a UN official.
"People in Gaza are people. They are not pieces on a checkerboard -- many have already been displaced several times," he added.
Six Turkish soldiers dead in Iraq after PKK attack
Ankara, Turkey - Six Turkish soldiers were killed and one wounded when their base in northern Iraq was attacked by members...Friday's attack on Turkish troops by the Kurdistan Workers' Party occurred near Hakurk, the defense ministry said.
In October, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to continue stepping up its strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria.
War affects Christmas festivities in southern Lebanon
Qlayaa, Lebanon - In the Lebanese Christian border village of Qlayaa, the priest urged his parish to keep the Christmas spirit...Despite the violence, the church has put up lights, a life-sized manger and is planning recitals and activities for the community's children.
Residents along the border are used to "difficult times", said father Antonios Farah, "but we have decided... we will celebrate Christmas as usual".
UN expresses ‘alarm’ at spreading violence in Sudan
The Council in a joint statement denounced attacks on civilians and the spread of the violence "into areas hosting large...The UN called on the warring parties to allow for safe and unhindered humanitarian access
It said apart from the 7m internally displaced another 1.5m had fled into neighboring countries
Ukraine says it shot down three Russian Su-34 fighters
Air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said the Su-34 jets were downed around noon on Friday. In his announcement he noted...In his nightly address on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the soldiers who shot down the Russian fighters in the Kherson region
The Kremlin has not commented on the Ukrainian claims but Russian war blogger Fighterbomber said there had been losses, likely due to the Patriot missile air-defence system
Saudi defense minister hosted by UK counterpart at Lancaster House in London
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — UK's Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps welcomed Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin...Upon Prince Khalid bin Salman's arrival, a formal reception ceremony was held, featuring a review of the guard of honor
The two sides discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia
