US slams Israel’s use of American weapons in Gaza
The US has warned that the reputational damage Israel will suffer if it storms a city where an estimated 1.4...Geostrategy
Biden threatens to stop arm shipments if Israel invades Rafah
Biden, a self-described Zionist, had long resisted stopping any of the $3 billion in weapons the United States sends each...Geostrategy
With no deal in place with Ukraine, Russia starts grain supply initiative
Moscow, Russia - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin has confirmed the commencement of the implementation of the Russian grain...The initiative was initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who pledged to provide one million metric tons of grain at a preferential price
Vershinin stated that practical steps are now being taken, including communication with the involved parties to establish a trilateral agreement
Strengthening Middle East-China ties bolster trade
In recent years, the Middle East and China have fortified economic ties, with the former supplying half of latter's oil...In recent years, the Middle East and China have fortified economic ties, with the former supplying half of latter's oil and sealing a landmark 27-year LNG deal with Qatar
After Chinese President Xi's 2022 Saudi visit, China-GCC FTA talks accelerated, financial ties deepened and the BRI synced with Middle East's digital and infra ambitions
‘Qatar leads the charge in food security initiatives’
Several ministers of agriculture and food security from UN's Food and Agriculture Organization member states at the event discussed key...Qatar plays a major role in advancing food security at local, regional, and global scales, says Qatar’s Municipality Minister
The country's key initiatives include dairy cow importation, poultry self-sufficiency, and innovative greenhouse techniques
West blocked Russian assets worth $280bn, says US treasury
Washington, US - The REPO (Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs) task force, set up to search and freeze Russia-related assets, estimates the...“The total value of assets is estimated at around $280 billion, the majority of which is held in the European Union,” the US Department of the Treasury said.
Reportedly, the task force has completed its “initial effort to map and account for Russian sovereign assets that are immobilized and held in REPO member jurisdictions".
Saudi Nazaha, Interpol discuss ways to enhance cooperation
LYON, FRANCE - President of Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority ‘Nazaha’ Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous on Friday visited the...The two sides discussed cooperation between Nazaha and Interpol in the field of combating corruption and cross-border crimes.
The discussions touched on recovering funds and assets related to corruption and pursuing fugitives in such cases.
African Union set to become G20 member with US, EU backing
"I look forward to welcoming the AU as a permanent member of the G20", European Council president Charles Michel told...G20 host and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the pan-African organization to become a permanent member.
The proposal has won backing from Washington and on Friday the European Union said it would also back the move.
Tunisia authorities have repressed freedoms, says Journalists union
Jelassi argued that such "methodical censorship" aims to remove the voices of the opposition or civil society organizations from broadcasts...Mehdi Jelassi, head of SNJT union said the freedom of the press is increasingly repressed and the authorities are adopting a policy of lockdown and censorship.
The syndicate also denounced "intimidation" of journalists through judicial prosecution and interrogations that are "purely political".
20 injured in clashes at Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon
An AFP correspondent in Sidon reported the sound of intermittent automatic weapon fire and rocket launchers emanating from within the...The fighting pitted members of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement against Islamist militants
Dozens of families with children fled on Thursday evening from the camp's northern end where the clashes were concentrated
GCC poised to help MENA in global trade integration
With MENA accounting for just 7.4% of global trade in 2022, GCC's strategic initiatives and resources can pave the way...With MENA accounting for just 7.4% of global trade in 2022, GCC's strategic initiatives and resources can pave the way for regional trade integration and global prominence
Despite challenges like restrictive nontariff measures, red tape, and corruption, GCC-led comprehensive reforms and a global engagement strategy can make MENA a trade hub
Divisions, Xi’s absence cast shadow on G20 summit in India
The G20 was conceived in the throes of the 2008 financial crisis as a way of managing the global economy....Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has painted the summit as his country's diplomatic coming of age -- evidence of New Delhi's clout and prestige on the global stage.
But that notion was called into question by rival leader Xi, who pointedly decided to skip the meeting and send his number two, Premier Li Qiang instead.