Israel recalls Gaza negotiators after Hamas responds to ceasefire plan
Mediators have been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas delegations in Qatar for more than two weeks, but the indirect talks have...Geostrategy
Trump admin unveils AI strategy to maintain US dominance
The 25-page "America's AI Action Plan" outlines three aims: accelerating innovation, building infrastructure, and leading internationally on AI. Overall, the...Technology Geostrategy
Israel urges Egypt to block Gaza-bound activist convoys
Israel's defence minister on Wednesday called on Egypt to block two pro-Palestinian activist convoys planning to head to Egypt's Rafah...Katz added that such actions "would endanger the safety of (Israeli) soldiers and will not be allowed."
Egypt said on Wednesday that it backs efforts to put "pressure on Israel" to lift its blockade on Gaza
Gaza rescuers say Israel fire near aid centre kills 31
The Gaza civil defence agency said Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting to enter a US-backed food distribution centre...There have been a series of deadly shootings since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) first opened aid distribution points in the Palestinian territory on May 27
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Tuesday that "Israeli military operations have intensified in recent days, with mass casualties reported."
Iran says to target US bases if conflict breaks out
"All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of...Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord
Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran, backing nuclear diplomacy but warning of military action
Nvidia marks Paris tech fair with Europe AI push
Paris, France -- Drawing high-powered tech CEOs and a presidential visit, the Vivatech trade fair opened in Paris on Wednesday...Nvidia boss Jensen Huang also lso announced a multi-billion-dollar partnership with French AI champion Mistral AI.
The US firm's tie-up with Mistral will see the companies build a cloud computing platform powered by 18,000 of Nvidia's "Blackwell" high-end chips worth billions.
Tehran readies counter-proposal as Iran-US nuclear talks set to resume Sunday in Muscat
Iran has said it will present a counter-proposal to the latest draft from Washington, which it had criticised for failing...It came as European powers and the United States submitted a censure motion to the UN's nuclear watchdog in an effort to ramp up pressure on Iran
Iran has said it will present a counter-proposal to the latest draft from Washington, which it had criticised for failing to offer sanctions relief
MENA brief Jun 11: Umrah returns, ADGM surges, Abu Dhabi property market up
China has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—boosting bilateral...Mashreq Bank’s debut $500 million sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai under its $2.5 billion program offers a 5.03 % profit yield.
Nigeria’s planned $5 billion oil‑backed loan with Saudi Aramco is stalled amid falling Brent crude prices and production constraints.
Israel deports Greta Thunberg after intercepting Gaza-bound aid boat
Tel Aviv, Israel - Campaigner Greta Thunberg arrived home in Sweden late Tuesday, after Israel detained her and other activists aboard...Of the 12 activists on board the Madleen, which was carrying food and supplies for Gaza, four including Thunberg agreed to be deported immediately
The remaining eight were taken into custody after they refused to leave Israel voluntarily, and brought before a detention review tribunal on Tuesday
‘What wrong did he do?’ Gaza family mourn three-year-old shot dead
Gazan mother Amal Abu Shalouf ran her hand over her son's face and hair, a brief farewell before a man..."Amir, my love, my dear!" cried his mother, struggling to cross the crowded courtyard of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis
The grieving mother, comforted by relatives, said her young son had been begging for food in recent days and dreaming of a piece of meat
EU removes UAE from ‘high-risk’ money-laundering list, adds Monaco
The European Commission said it added Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela, along with Monaco,...In addition to the UAE, it removed Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal and Uganda.
The moves come after a money-laundering watchdog said in February it had removed the Philippines from its list of countries that face increased monitoring.
Israel says Gaza-bound aid boat activists awaiting deportation after their vessel intercepted
Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and other activists detained aboard a Gaza-bound aid boat have been taken to a Tel Aviv...The activist group departed Italy on June 1 aboard the Madleen carrying food and supplies for Gaza, whose entire population the UN has warned is at risk of famine
"The passengers of the 'Selfie Yacht' arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries," the Israeli foreign ministry said on X
