Murderer of Palestinian-American boy sentenced to 53 years
Washington, United States - An Illinois man was sentenced to 53 years in prison on Friday for the murder of...Geostrategy
Slower growth expected in MENA region in 2025: IMF
"Growth is still projected to increase in 2025 and 2026, but at a considerably slower pace than anticipated last October,"...Economy Geostrategy
African Union formally joins G20 at Delhi summit
New Delhi, India - The African Union joined the Group of 20 leading economies at its summit on Saturday, enhancing...The expansion of the bloc is a notable diplomatic victory for Modi, who faces national elections next year
Modi has used hosting rights for this year's forum to burnish his image as an international statesman
Saudi Crown Prince arrives in India for G20 summit
His visit comes at a time when Washington is actively engaging with the kingdom, encouraging it to normalize ties with...The head of the Arab world's largest economy was greeted on the tarmac in New Delhi by a troupe of women dancing to folk music
He is expected to sign an infrastructure agreement with the United States and other G20 members to explore the building of a rail and shipping network
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
