Due to war, under 5 percent of Gaza cropland useable for farming: UN
Paris, France -- Under five percent of Gaza's farmland is useable due to war, further exacerbating the risk of famine...Geostrategy
Spain hosts European, Arab nations to pressure Israel on Gaza
Madrid will host 20 countries as well as international organizations with the aim of "stopping this war, which no longer...Geostrategy
French government battles to save flagship immigration bill
Paris, France - The French government of President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday was battling to salvage a flagship immigration reform following...The government regards the legislation -- which generally tightens immigration rules -- as crucial to seizing the initiative on the issue from the far-right
The chief obstacle is that the right wants to make social security benefits for foreigners conditional on five years of presence in France or 30 months for those who work
First commercial trucks enter Gaza since war: US
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the first private trucks entered Saturday and more came through on Monday. Miller,...The commercial trucks came through the Rafah crossing between Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, and Egypt
State Department spokesman Miller said that the arrival of commercial trucks was the "result of intensive diplomacy" by US officials
Israel air force denies indiscriminate bombing in Gaza offensive
A report by Washington's Director of National Intelligence, quoted by US media, said that nearly half of munitions dropped by...The Israeli offensive, aimed at destroying Hamas, has killed at least 19,453 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry
US President Joe Biden has warned Israel was at risk of losing international support due to its "indiscriminate" bombing of the Palestinian territory
Hamas talks down discovery of Gaza tunnel by Israel
Dubai, UAE--A Hamas official on Monday said one of the group's tunnels revealed by the Israeli army in Gaza had...Israel army claimed to have uncovered the biggest Hamas tunnel on Sunday in Gaza, near the Erez crossing between the Palestinian territory and Israel
A senior Hamas official speaking in Beirut said that owing to the tunnel the mission that Hamas set out to achieve has been "carried out successfully"
At least 118 dead in northwest China earthquake
US Geological Survey said Monday night's magnitude-5.9 quake struck at a shallow depth with an epicenter around 100 kilometers from...Officials said the shallow tremor had caused the deaths of at least 105 in Gansu province
A further 13 died, 182 were injured and 20 were missing in the city of Haidong
US forms coalition to combat Houthi attacks in Red Sea
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that countries seeking to defend "the foundational principle of freedom of...Austin said the security coalition will ensure freedom of navigation for all countries
Houthi attacks have forced insurance companies to increase premiums on ships
MENA faces economic turbulence due to Gaza conflict
The Israel-Hamas conflict not only threatens regional stability but also poses significant economic challenges for MENA nations, says Fitch Ratings.The Israel-Hamas conflict not only threatens regional stability but also poses significant economic challenges for MENA nations, says Fitch Ratings.
Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan remain the most affected countries as the conflict will potentially disrupt oil markets and economic growth, it adds.
Nearly 100 MPs barred from Indian parliament session
Nearly 100 opposition lawmakers have been temporarily barred from India's parliament for demanding a debate into last week's protest when...Six people were arrested after the December 13 protest, when one man jumped onto the floor of the lower house of parliament.
Official footage from the session showed one man shouting slogans and vaulting over tables between stunned lawmakers.
Oil prices rise following Red Sea attacks
Oil prices shot up three percent as more companies suspended shipping through the Red Sea following attacks on vessels by...Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said on Monday that they had attacked two "Israeli-linked" vessels in the Red Sea..
Ships must travel through the Red Sea to use the Suez Canal, a key transit route for cargo and oil..
UAE issues federal decree on regulating electronic, digital media
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE Government has issued a federal decree which aims to regulate and organize media in...The decree aims to promote the UAE as a global media hub and establish an enabling environment for the growth and prosperity of the sector.
The provisions of the decree apply to individuals, organizations, media outlets, and free zones dedicated to the media in the UAE.
