Early returns show reformist Pezeshkian leading Iran runoff vote: interior ministry
Iran held the first round of its snap presidential election last week which was marked by a record low turnout....Geostrategy
Pro-Palestinian group scales Australia’s parliament
Sydney, Australia - Protesters scaled Australia's national parliament on Thursday, unfurling banners reading "Palestine will be free", and accusing Prime Minister...Geostrategy
Sweden to deport pro-Kurdish PKK supporter to Turkey
The decision comes after the Supreme Court in May cleared his repatriation to Turkey, where he is expected to serve...The Swedish government has decided to "grant an extradition from Sweden regarding a 35-year-old Turkish citizen," an official said.
Turkey has accused Sweden of being a haven for "terrorists," especially members of the the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.
Global nuclear investments increase as tensions rise, say reports
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The world's nuclear powers, and China in particular, increased investment in their arsenals for a third consecutive year...World's nine nuclear-armed states jointly spent $82.9 billion on their arsenals last year, with the US accounting for more than half.
Washington spent $43.7 billion, which was slightly less than a year earlier but was still far ahead of all other countries, the report showed.
Gulf nations stress on cementing unity, pledge support for Palestine
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has stressed the need for coordination, integration...The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council approved the foreign action plan in the field of human rights for the years 2023-2026.
It emphasized on the completion of the requirements for finalizing the Customs Union and ensuring equal treatment for citizens within the GCC Common Market.
Former Israeli PM testifies in Benjamin Netanyahu graft trial
JERUSALEM - Â Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday testified at a Jerusalem court in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing...According to prosecutors, between 2007 and 2016 Netanyahu allegedly received gifts valued at US$195,000.
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing, saying gifts were only accepted from friends and without him having asked for them.
Indirect talks with US ongoing via Oman, says Iran
Iran said it has continued indirect negotiations with the Unites States through the Sultanate of Oman over its nuclear deal...A 2015 deal granted Tehran much-needed sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
The two countries recently denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord.
Iraq approves budget granting Baghdad upper hand over Kurdish oil
The new bill earmarked 12.7 percent of the budget to the oil-rich autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. It follows...The 198.9 trillion dinar ($153 billion) budget -- valid for three years though subject to future amendments -- also sets out record spending on public wages
Lawmakers approved the bill after days of voting and months of wrangling over its articles in a country long accustomed to budget delays
SEWA, US delegation explore collaboration in innovation, sustainability
Sharjah, UAE - Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, Director-General of SEWA Sunday discussed the authority's initiatives to reduce emissions and...The two discussed the authority's initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change and its vision for the upcoming COP28 conference.
They also explored potential collaborations between the authority and American companies in innovation and sustainable development.
Kuwait urges Europe to facilitate Schengen visas for its citizens
Kuwait-- Kuwait has urged European states to facilitate the granting of Schengen visas for Kuwaiti citizens.The call was made by...The call was made by Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who received at a luncheon several European ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.
The Schengen area is a group of European countries that have agreed to allow passport-holders from one country to travel freely within the area without border controls.
EU offers Tunisia more than $1bn to boost economy, reduce migrant flows
The EU is ready to offer Tunisia a 900-million-euro package plus 150 million euros in immediate support, European Commission head...EU governments, under pressure to reduce migrant arrivals, last week agreed on steps to fast-track migrant returns to their countries of origin or transit countries deemed "safe".
Tunisia lies less than 150 km from the Italian island of Lampedusa, and has long been a steppingstone for migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan African countries.
Iran’s supreme leader urges cooperation with IAEA
Iran's supreme leader urged continued cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, while warning against succumbing to "bullying" based on "unfounded...Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said agreements could be reached in certain fields, but "the existing infrastructure of the nuclear industry should not be touched".
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization "need not succumb to the pressure of unfounded claims and demands based on bullying", Khamenei said.
