Polls open in Iran for presidential election amidst vote boycott calls
Polls in Iran opened on Friday for a presidential election following the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a...Geostrategy
Israel PM says ‘intense’ phase of Gaza war winding down
Netanyahu said Israel would be able to "redeploy some forces to the north" on the border with Lebanon, where exchanges...Geostrategy
Drone strike targeted lawmaker’s home: Libya parliament
The UN-recognized Government of National Unity said the strikes hit "hideouts used by gangs of smugglers in fuel, narcotics and...The UN mission in Libya said it was in contact with concerned national authorities, calling on both to respect relevant national and international laws
Libya is split between a nominally interim government in Tripoli in the west, and another in the east backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar
Japan deal expands UAE’s defense relations with Asia
The signing of the UAE-Japan defense cooperation agreement aims to promote transfer of technology, cooperative research, development, and production projects.The signing of the UAE-Japan defense cooperation agreement aims to promote transfer of technology, cooperative research, development, and production projects
The strengthening of defense cooperation with Asian countries is part of a broader UAE's effort to diversify its security partnerships and decrease dependence on the US
Saudi, US mediators see ‘improved respect’ for Sudan ceasefire
Within minutes of the ceasefire taking effect late Monday, witnesses in the capital Khartoum reported air strikes and gunshots. The...The United States and Saudi Arabia, which brokered the latest deal, reported "serious violations" since it took effect, particularly on Wednesday.
As civilians, aid groups and mediators pleaded for a stop to the fighting, Sudan's defense ministry issued a call to arms.
RAKEZ highlights Ras Al Khaimah’s potential to Chinese business owners
RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE - A top-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently concluded its trip to...The RAKEZ delegation interacted with prominent Chinese business owners from a range of sectors.
The team traveled through Shanghai, Suzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Foshan, and Zhuhai.
Iran, Belgium free jailed persons in prisoner swap
Iran freed Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele after almost 15 months in custody, in a prisoner exchange for an Iranian...Oman said it had helped broker an "exchange deal" and that an Iranian previously held in Belgium was on his way to Tehran.
Iran announced that the freed Iranian is diplomat Assadollah Assadi, who was jailed in Belgium over a 2018 plot.
GCC contributes 97% of Arab humanitarian assistance
The Gulf countries are playing an important role as the estimated cost of providing the necessary aid has surged to...The Gulf countries are playing an important role as the estimated cost of providing the necessary aid has surged to around US$51.5 billion, marking a 25% increase, says a report
Challenges facing charitable organizations include conflicts and societal instability, highlighting the need for continued development and capacity building, adds the API report
In Sudan’s capital, risking death in search of water
After nearly six weeks of street battles between forces loyal to rival generals and with temperatures regularly topping 40 degrees...On April 15, when fighting broke out between Sudan's army and the paramilitary RSF, the station supplying several districts of North Khartoum with running running water was damaged
Since then, about 300,000 of its inhabitants have not seen a drop of water run from their taps and some have reopened wells or used pots to draw water from the Nile River
Russia sending nuclear arms to Belarus, ratcheting up tensions with the West
"The transfer of nuclear munitions has begun," Lukashenko told reporters during a visit to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir...Lukashenko has allowed his territory, which borders Ukraine, EU and NATO members Poland and Lithuania, to serve as a staging ground for Russian invasion
In March, Putin said he would station "tactical" nuclear weapons - in effect short-range atomic missiles - in Belarus, drawing condemnation from the West
Brazilian group seeks trade, investment boost with UAE
Sharjah, UAE - The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) organized the UAE-Sao Paulo Business Forum on Thursday, marking...During the forum, the two sides discussed joint efforts and investment opportunities available in both cities.
The delegation comprised representatives from companies operating in agriculture, food, cosmetics, and furnishings sectors.
‘Partnerships with technology leaders help in Dubai’s digital transformation’
DUBAI, UAE - First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE Sheikh...Successful partnerships with leading industry players are a key enabler of Dubai’s digital transformation journey.
The initiative seeks to advance Dubai’s strategic objective of becoming one of the world’s top urban economies.
