Syrian, Israeli diplomats met in Paris to discuss ‘de-escalation’: report
Syria's foreign minister met with an Israeli diplomatic delegation in Paris on Tuesday to discuss "de-escalation and non-interference in Syria’s...Geostrategy
Israel demands release of all hostages after Hamas backs new truce offer
Mediators are awaiting an official Israeli response to the plan, a day after Hamas signaled its readiness for a fresh...Geostrategy
The AI of war: computers and autonomous killing
Observers say Beijing is massively investing in AI, to the point where it may soon be able to change the...Ahead of a summit between China's Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, there had been suggestions that the two men would agree to ban lethal autonomous weapons
The meeting appeared to produce no such accord, but experts say it's a vital topic that is already altering armed conflict -- and switching up the competition for global supremacy
UN official calls for probe over human rights violations in Israel-Hamas war
Geneva, Switzerland - The UN human rights chief on Thursday decried serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war...Turk was speaking after a visit last week to the Middle East, where he warned that both sides were committing war crimes in the deadly conflict.
He added his most important recommendation was that all parties had to acknowledge that all human lives have equal value.
Saudi Arabia, CARICOM countries hold first summit for strategic partnership
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Since its foundation, the Kingdom has been keen to build bridges of communication with all the...The convening of the summit will contribute to mutual support for various global nominations of the Kingdom and CARICOM, including Saudi Arabia's bid to host Expo 2030.
It will enhance coordination on regional and international issues of common interest, boosting tourism cooperation, and highlighting Saudi Arabia's tourist attractions.
UN Security Council calls for ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Gaza
The resolution, prepared by Malta and adopted with 12 votes in favor, "calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and...The resolution called on all parties to comply with international humanitarian obligations "notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children
It also called for the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children." Over 230 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas
Qatar calls for international probe into Israeli raids on Gaza hospitals
Israeli forces raided and then combed through Al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, before withdrawing and redeploying around its outskirts, a journalist...Qatari foreign ministry in a statement called for "an urgent international investigation" including by UN to look into "the targeting of hospitals by the Israeli army"
Qatari mediation efforts have so far led to the release of four out of around 240 hostages Israeli officials estimate were seized by Hamas fighters on October 7
Israeli opposition leader calls on Netanyahu to resign ‘immediately’
Four days after Hamas's surprise October 7 attack on Israel, Netanyahu and another opposition leader, Benny Gantz, announced an agreement...Lapid called for a no-confidence vote in parliament that would allow for the formation of a new government led by another member of Likud party
In a statement posted to Telegram, Likud immediately rebuffed the call, saying such a proposal in a "time of war" was "shameful"
Gaza cancer patients fly to Turkey for treatment
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 27 patients had been flown to Turkey from Egypt, along with 13 companions, without specifying...Two planes carrying the patients, many of them children, landed at Ankara airport
Turkey has sent material for field hospitals, ambulances and generators to Egypt to treat civilians
Biden, Xi take steps to reduce tensions at key summit
Central to the discussions was the commitment to restore military-to-military communications, previously severed after a visit by former House Speaker...In opening remarks, Biden said the US and China had to ensure that competition between them "does not veer into conflict" and manage their relationship "responsibly."
Xi called the US-China relationship "the most important bilateral relationship," saying he and Biden "shoulder heavy responsibilities for the two peoples, and for the world."
Israel’s regional ties strained amid Gaza conflict
Escalating Middle East tensions and Netanyahu's policies affect Israel's ties with Egypt and Jordan amid Arab concerns over civilian casualties...Escalating Gaza tensions and Netanyahu's policies strain Israel's ties with Egypt and Jordan amid Arab concerns over civilian casualties and Palestinian displacement.
UAE's stable relations with Israel contrast Saudi Arabia's demand for significant Israeli peace concessions, casting uncertainty on regional resolution prospects.
Iran urges UN to deliver aid quickly in desperate Gaza
"The amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is very small and almost zero, and it is necessary for the...The Iranian foreign minister said the amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is very small and almost zero.
Trucks carrying the first delivery of fuel to Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7 crossed from Egypt Wednesday.
