Israel acting against Iran and its proxies, says Netanyahu
Israel has declined to comment on the Damascus strike but analysts saw it as an escalation of Israel's campaign against...Geostrategy
‘Shocking increase’ of children denied aid in conflicts: UN
In addition to access to humanitarian aid, the UN's report on children and armed conflict also lists the number of...Geostrategy
Syria’s 11-year exile ends, attends first Arab League meeting
"I... take this opportunity to welcome the Syrian Arab Republic to the League of Arab States," Saudi finance minister Mohammed...Earlier this month, the pan-Arab body officially welcomed back Syria's government, securing President Bashar al-Assad's return to the Arab fold.
Qatar said this month it would not normalize relations with Assad's government but also noted this would not be "an obstacle" to Arab League reintegration.
France pledges more weapons to Ukraine after Zelensky’s Europe tour
In a visit to various European capitals to hold consultations with his allies, Zelensky dined with French President Emmanuel Macron...Macron's office said France will supply Ukraine with armour -- without specifying the number of vehicles -- but demurred on sending much-coveted fighter jets
Volodymyr Zelensky's arrival in Paris followed a visit to Rome on Friday, where he met with Italian leaders and Pope Francis, and a weekend stop in Germany
Thais reject army-backed govt, opposition considers coalition
Thais voted in large numbers after an election campaign pitting a young generation yearning for change against the conservative elite...With ballots counted from 97 percent of polling stations, Election Commission data showed MFP on 13.5 million in the popular vote followed by Pheu Thai on 10.3 million
The progressive Move Forward Party's leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, declared it had "closed the door" on any chance of army-backed parties forming a minority government
Turkey’s Erdogan and challenger appear headed for runoff election
Appearing before a large crowd of supporters, Erdogan proclaimed himself to be ready to lead the nation for another five...The voter turnout touched 90 percent in what is being seen as a referendum on Turkey's longest-serving leader and his Islamic-rooted party
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the opposition leader, trailed with 45.0 percent vote, an unlikely outcome for a leader who was shown in the lead in pre-election polls
Indo-Pacific needs comprehensive economic prosperity
"The UAE shares a vision with the European Union to achieve comprehensive economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," adds Al Kaabi...UAE’s Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi emphasizes global cooperation and growth opportunities at EU's Indo-Pacific Forum
UAE shares a vision with the European Union to achieve comprehensive economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, she adds
GCC Secretary General hails Qatar’s role in Palestine-Israel ceasefire
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Gulf Cooperation Council has hailed Qatar's efforts for its role in the ceasefire between Israel...Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the Qatari diplomacy has been successful in dealing deal with international and regional issues, seeking to resolve them through peaceful means.
Albudaiwi also appreciated the efforts of Egypt in communicating with the two sides and contributing to establishing the ceasefire.
Iran jails eight for asking workers to strike at gas site
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iranian authorities have arrested eight people for "leading" a workers' strike at a key gas site in the...An official said intelligence services arrested eight main leaders of the workers' strike at a gas site in Iran's south.
The gas site is also knows as having the world's largest reserve and employs around 40,000 people.
Three countries to get $280m for financing education programs
A total of $280 million will be provided to Cameroon, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as innovative financing under the SmartEd initiative...Developed in Dec 2021 by GPE and the ACG, a grouping of Arab financial development institutions, the nitiative has generated $500m to support education in lower-income countries.
Funds under the initiative are accessible to 37 countries that are members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and collectively are home to 28m out-of-school children.
India Jewelry Exposition Center launches in Dubai
DUBAI, UAE - The Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has launched a first-of-its-kind India Jewelry Exposition Center (IJEX)...India Jewelry Exposition Center will provide a platform for the country's MSMEs to showcase their products to the Middle East market.
The move is a reflection of the Middle East's importance to India's gem and jewelry sector which accounts for 30 percent of its exports.
Tehran objects to presence of anti-Iran forces at Kurd event in Iraq
TEHRAN, IRAN- Iran has summoned Iraq's ambassador to protest over the presence of Iranian opposition groups at an official ceremony in...Iran reacted sharply to the invitation of what it calls as separatist groups during a function in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan.
Tehran, which refers to all Kurdish groups who oppose the Iranian government as 'terrorists', summoned the Iraqi envoy over the incident.