Sticky-fingered journalists on Air Force One put on notice
Media outlets pay for the journalists to fly on the government plane with US president, along with the meals and...Geostrategy
IMF approves US$820m as part of Egypt bailout
The IMF action, repeatedly postponed and eagerly awaited by the Egyptian government, arrives at a time of mounting difficulties for...Geostrategy
Israel missiles hit Syria’s Aleppo airport: monitor
It was the second such attack in a month on the airport in Syria's second city, which has been a major...The transport ministry said the Israeli strikes caused damage to the runway and to airport equipment, forcing all flights to be redirected to Damascus or to Latakia
Since civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes against its neighbor, primarily targeting positions of the Syrian army
Xi by his side, Putin accuses west of rejecting Beijing’s peace proposals
Putin called the talks with Chinese president "meaningful and frank" and said that Russia, which has been largely cut out...Putin said he was open to talks on Ukraine and praised Beijing's 12-point position paper on the conflict, which includes a call for dialogue
Energy is a key focus of Xi's visit, and Putin announced the two countries had reached an agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline
‘Strategic position makes UAE key blockchain, Web 3 player’
There is a need for more regulations in the cryptocurrency industry to prevent immoral and aberrant behavior, says Anthony Scaramucci,...There is a need for more regulations in the cryptocurrency industry to prevent immoral and aberrant behavior, says Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications head
The blockchain and Web 3 are the future, and UAE's well-designed cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi make them critical players in the industry, adds SkyBridge Capital founder Scaramucci
China diplomatic offensive lays down new challenge for US
But US officials and experts say that China's diplomacy is not so much about ending the war as an attempt...Xi pushed forward positions on Ukraine during two days of talks in Moscow, a week after China announced the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia
The United States has been skeptical of China's diplomatic offensive, believing its proposed ceasefire would only provide time for Russia to regroup forces
Israel annuls law banning settlers from residing in West Bank areas
The parliamentary vote notably paves the way for Israeli authorities to formally allow settlers to return to Homesh, the only...An amendment approved by lawmakers overnight permits Israelis to return to the West Bank settlement sites near the city of Nablus.,
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who claimed "there isn't a Palestinian people", heralded the parliamentary vote as "historic".
Tunisia dismisses EU official’s ‘looming economic collapse’ warning
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell had warned Monday that if crisis-torn Tunisia "collapses economically or socially then we...Tunisia has suffered over a decade of economic and political crisis since its 2011 revolution, culminating in a July 2021 power grab by President Kais Saied.
Tunis is in prolonged talks with the International Monetary Fund for a $2-billion bailout package to help the heavily indebted treasury balance its books.
China must listen to Ukraine on peace plan: NATO chief
The head of the Western military alliance said he welcomed any proposals that could lead to a "just and sustainable...Putin told Xi he was open to discussing a 12-point position paper put forward by Beijing, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial integrity
China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, but Washington has said Beijing's moves could be a "stalling tactic" to help Moscow
First India-GCC senior officials meeting held in Riyadh
New Delhi, India - The first ever meeting of senior officials of India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was...India has been steadily stepping up institutional engagement of the GCC in addition to regular bilateral meetings with its member countries
As a trade bloc, the GCC is the largest trade partner of India with a total trade of US$154 billion during the last financial year
Israel’s ruling coalition amends key judicial reform proposal
Jerusalem--Israel's ruling coalition presented on Monday an amended version of a key element in its contentious judicial overhaul, in hopes...Israel has been hit by weeks of mass demonstrations against the proposed reforms, which are already moving through parliament and would give politicians more power
The White House said that Joe Biden in a call with Netanyahu voiced support for a "compromise" and stressed the importance of "genuine checks and balances"
Jordan king discusses modernization efforts in meeting with EU envoys
Amman, Jordan - Jordan king Abdullah on Monday discussed his country's modernization efforts in a meeting with a number of...The meeting covered Jordan's modernization efforts, with the king reaffirming the Kingdom’s seriousness about political and economic reforms
Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Syrian crisis and the need to step up international efforts to reach a political solution