Iran supreme leader prays over bodies of slain Guards
Tehran, Iran--Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei mourned Thursday the seven Revolutionary Guards killed in a strike in Syria, which...Geostrategy
Sweden Quran burner arrested in Norway, faces deportation
OSLO, NORWAY – An Iraqi refugee in Sweden who stoked international outrage by repeatedly desecrating the Quran last year has been...Geostrategy Global
Libya parliament suspends rival government chief Fathi Bashagha
Parliament also announced an investigation into Bashagha. The chamber, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar, had picked Bashagha in February...In July, Bashagha had told AFP that he planned to take office in Tripoli "in the coming days." The reasons for Bashagha's suspension were not immediately known.
Since his failed attempts to force Dbeibah out, Bashagha has been based in the central city of Sirte.
France issues arrest warrant for Lebanese central bank chief
A French investigating magistrate issued an international arrest warrant for Lebanon's central bank chief Riad Salameh, a source close to...Investigators suspect Lebanese central bank chief Riad Salameh of building his network of assets with the help of a complex fraudulent financial system.
Since the start of the year, magistrates from European countries have travelled to Lebanon on three occasions to interview the central banker and his entourage.
Gazans amid the homes destroyed by Israel
In total, 103 homes were completely destroyed and 140 severely damaged in Israeli military strikes, the United Nations said.The ruins of past conflicts -- such as a three-day escalation in August which killed 49 Gazans -- are dotted across the densely populated Palestinian territory.
With Gaza's poverty rate at 53 percent, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, few people can afford to rebuild their homes.
Russian oil exports hit post-invasion high, says IEA
PARIS, FRANCE -  Russia's oil exports rose in April to the highest level since its invasion of Ukraine, boosting revenues by...The Paris-based organization said Russian exports increased by 50,000 barrels per day to 8.3 million bpd in April.
Russia's tax receipts from its oil and gas sector were down by 64 percent year-on-year, the agency added.
European Union backs tougher tax rules on crypto transactions
Regulators worldwide are increasingly worried about the lack of oversight of the digital currency sector but the European Union has...During a meeting of EU economy and finance ministers on Tuesday, they agreed on rules to go after individuals who stash their cash where tax authorities have no oversight.
The rules will close loopholes that allow people to avoid taxation on their income using crypto assets, Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson said.
Qatar and Bahrain to restart flights in signs of improving relations
Dubai, UAE-- Qatar and Bahrain have agreed to restart flights toward the end of the month, in a sign of...The resumption of flights between the estranged countries, according to Bahrain News Agency, falls within "the framework of the brotherly relations between the two countries
In recent months, GCC countries have patched up differences with each other and begun to focus on their economies, taking advantage of high oil and gas prices
Tunisia sentences opposition chief to one year’s prison on terrorism charge
Ghannouchi, 81, a former speaker of parliament, was arrested last month over different accusations, part of what Human Rights Watch...Rached Ghannouchi is among more than 20 of Saied's political opponents, including former ministers and business figures, arrested since February
The United States said the arrests "represent a troubling escalation by the Tunisian government against perceived opponents"
UAE invites Syrian President to COP28 summit in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates has invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to attend the UN climate summit in Dubai later this...Bashar al-Assad has received an invitation to an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia scheduled for Friday.
Since Syria's war broke out, President Assad has held onto power and clawed back lost territory.
Iraqi Kurds await oil export renewal deal with Turkey
ARBIL, IRAQ- Officials in Iraqi Kurdistan say Baghdad is still waiting to reach a "final agreement" with Ankara to resume...Crude sales were Kurdistan's economic lifeblood, with 475,000 barrels exported daily via the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
The suspension of exports represents a shortfall of around "one billion dollars", analyst Kovand Shirwani said.
Lebanese central bank chief likely to miss hearing in French probe
In March 2022, France, Germany and Luxembourg seized assets worth 120 million euros ($130 million) in a move linked to...Salameh, 72, has been the target of a series of judicial investigations both at home and abroad on allegations including fraud, money laundering.
European investigators looking into the fortune he has amassed during three decades in the job had scheduled a hearing in Paris for Tuesday.