Putin says Russia, Ukraine peace proposals “absolute contradictory”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia and Ukraine's demands for peace were "absolutely contradictory", after two rounds of...Geostrategy
US Supreme Court curbs power of individual judges to block Trump
In a 6-3 ruling stemming from Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship, the court said nationwide injunctions issued by district...Geostrategy
UN ‘alarmed’ by US strikes in Yemen that Huthis say killed 68 migrants
The United Nations expressed deep alarm on Monday at reports that US strikes on Yemen killed scores of people at...The US military has hammered the Iran-backed Huthis with near-daily strikes since March 15 in an operation dubbed "Rough Rider."
Huthi-controlled media said the latest strikes on the movement's stronghold of Saada killed at least 68 people, all Africans
Amnesty accuses Israel of ‘live-streamed genocide’ against Gaza Palestinians
Paris, France - Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Israel of committing a "live-streamed genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza by forcibly...In its annual report, Amnesty charged that Israel had acted with "specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, thus committing genocide."
Israel has rejected accusations of "genocide" from Amnesty, other rights groups and some states in its war in Gaza
Putin orders three-day ceasefire; Zelensky slams it as manipulative ahead of Victory Day
Before Putin's announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held new talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, having declared that...Before Putin’s announcement, US Secretary of State Rubio told Lavrov this week is critical for peace efforts
The Kremlin said Putin had ordered a "ceasefire" for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day from May 8 to May 10
Brazil calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza at BRICS ministers’ meet
The meeting comes at a critical moment for the world economy after the International Monetary Fund this week slashed growth..."The resumption of Israeli bombardments and the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid are unacceptable," Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said.
The BRICS grouping has expanded significantly since its 2009 inception, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.
China says on ‘right side of history’ in trade standoff with US
Since returning to the presidency in January, US President Donald Trump has imposed 10 percent tariffs on most US trading...The US, China said, "play cards out of thin air, bully and go back on their word", condemning Washington's "unilateralism and bullying."
Beijing, however, has vowed to fight a trade war "to the end" and denied US claims it is in talks with Washington
Trump thinks Zelensky ready to give up Crimea to Russia
US President Donald Trump said he believed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to concede Crimea to Russia as part...Trump also stepped up pressure on Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian president should "stop shooting" and sign an agreement to end the grinding war
Trump's comments came a day after he met Zelensky during the funeral of Pope Francis, breaking the ice after a major row between the US and Ukrainian leaders at the White House
Khamenei orders probe into port blast as Iran’s nuclear talks, regional tensions simmer in background
The New York Times quoted a person with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity...His instructions came after President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the blast scene in Shahid Rajaee Port near the strategic Strait of Hormuz
Defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told state TV that "there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area."
Qatar Prime Minister sees some progress on Gaza truce
"We need to find an answer for the ultimate question: how to end this war. That's, that's basically, I think,...The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps. Israel resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18.
Hamas is open to an agreement to end the war that would see all hostages released and secure a five-year truce, an official told AFP as the group's negotiators met in Cairo.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to settle Syria’s World Bank debt
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced on Sunday that they would settle Syria's debt to the World...Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach to Syria's new rulers since the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December.
The statement came just days after Syria's central bank governor and finance minister attended the IMF and World Bank spring meetings for the first time in more than 20 years.
Massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port kills 18, injures 800
Although the cause of the blast was not immediately clear, the port's customs office said in a statement carried by...The NYT, quoting a person with ties to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that what exploded was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles.
"The intensity of the fire in Shahid Rajaee Port has increased and it is possible that the fire could spread to other areas and containers," state TV said late Saturday.
