Israel insists it calls shots in Gaza despite signing up to a US-brokered ceasefire
Under the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire, as Israeli forces withdraw after the end of two years of brutal fighting...Geostrategy
US treasury secretary signals deal to ease trade war with China
Washington, United States -- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday signaled a tentative deal with China to de-escalate their...Geostrategy
‘Far too late’: Clutching pots and buckets, Palestinians despair after UN declares famine in Gaza
"We have no home left, no food, no income... so we are forced to turn to charity kitchens, but they...AFP footage from Gaza's largest city showed women and young children among the chaotic jostle of dozens clamouring and shouting for for food
The UN officially declared a famine in Gaza on Friday, blaming the "systematic obstruction" of aid by Israel during more than 22 months of war
Hamas demands opening of Gaza crossings after UN famine declaration
Hamas called on Friday for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the lifting of the Israeli siege...In a statement published online, the group called for "immediate action by the UN and the security council to stop the war and lift the siege."
The group went on to say that the declaration by the United Nations confirmed the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza and accused Israel of using starvation as a "tool of war".
Iran to meet Britain, France and Germany on its nuclear programme as snapback sanctions loom
The move would reimpose sweeping UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 agreement unless Iran agrees to curb its uranium enrichment...The Islamic republic suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in July in the wake of its 12-day war with Israel
The European trio -- parties to the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal -- have threatened to trigger a "snapback mechanism" by the end of August
ATP and Saudi Arabia’s PIF launch new tennis tech platform
NEW YORK and RIYADH — The ATP Tour, in a landmark partnership with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has unveiled...Next-generation analytics platform set to revolutionize player performance and level the playing field across all levels of the sport.
Groundbreaking partnership with PIF accelerates the development and scale of ATP Tennis IQ, ushering in a new era of data-driven excellence.
United Nations declares famine in Gaza, first ever in Middle East
Tom Fletcher, the UN's emergency relief coordinator, blamed Israel, accusing it of "systematic obstruction" of aid deliveries to the war-ravaged...The assessment of famine was made by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a coalition of monitors tasked by the UN to warn of impending crises.
It defines famine as occurring when 20 percent of households have an extreme lack of food; 30 percent of children under five are acutely malnourished.
21 countries sign joint statement condemning Israel’s West Bank settlement project
Israel has approved the plans for the roughly 12-square-kilometre parcel of land known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, which..."We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms," said the statement of foreign ministers.
All of Israel's settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law.
US senators push for improved press access in Gaza
Washington, United States - A group of 17 US Senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday...The letter to Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel, said: "We urge you to press the Israeli government to protect journalists in Gaza and allow global media to the territory."
Last week, an Israeli strike killed four journalists for Al Jazeera, including Qatari television correspondent Anas al-Sharif, as well as two freelance journalists
Trump raises pressure on central bank, calls for Fed governor to resign
Washington, United States -- President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on the US central bank Wednesday, calling for Federal Reserve...The Trump administration has pursued allegations of mortgage fraud against high-profile Democrats who are seen as political adversaries of the president.
It was not immediately clear if such a probe will take place targeting Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the central bank's board.
Antarctic climate shifts threaten ‘catastrophic’ impacts globally
Paris, France -- Abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in Antarctica driven by climate change could lift global oceans by meters...After increasing slightly during the first 35 years that satellite data was available, Antarctic sea ice cover plunged dramatically over the last decade.
Since 2014, sea ice has retreated on average 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the continent's shoreline.
Israel approves major West Bank settlement project, sparks international outcry
Israel has long had ambitions to build on the roughly 12-square-kilometre parcel known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, but...Critics say the settlement would effectively cut the West Bank in two, undermining hopes for a contiguous Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned last week that constructing Israeli homes in the E1 area would "put an end to" hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
