Rubio seeks quick deployment of international Gaza force
He confirmed that Israel would enjoy vetoes on the force composition, amid reports Israel has objected to participation by Turkey.Geostrategy
Rubio says Israel annexation moves in West Bank, settler violence ‘threatening’ Gaza peace deal
Israeli lawmakers voted Wednesday to advance two bills on annexing the occupied West Bank, barely a week after President Donald...Geostrategy
UN chief blasts ‘lack of compassion’ for Palestinians in Gaza
United Nations, United States -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday slammed the international community for turning a blind eye..."I cannot explain the level of indifference and inaction we see by too many in the international community -- the lack of compassion," he said.
"This is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience. We will continue to speak out at every opportunity."
Syrian, Israeli ministers meet US envoy in Paris: senior diplomat
The US special envoy for Syria said he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday on..."I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," said the envoy, Tom Barrack, on X
This was the first meeting between the two countries that have technically been at war since 1948, and Israel has occupied the Golan Heights from Syria since 1967
Macron says France will recognise State of Palestine, angering Israel, US
At least 142 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally -- though Israel...At least 142 countries now recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, according to an AFP tally -- though Israel and the United States strongly oppose the move
Several countries have announced plans to recognise statehood for the Palestinians since Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza nearly two years ago
Iran defends ‘unshakable’ right to enrich uranium ahead of key talks
Iran on Thursday reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, saying it was "unshakable", on the eve of key talks with...Friday's meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will be the first since Israel's mid-June attack targeting key nuclear and military sites in the Iran sparked a 12-day war
The hostilities between Iran and Israel broke out just two days before Tehran and Washington were set to resume negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme
International Court of Justice court paves way for climate reparations
The court said climate change was an "urgent and existential threat" and countries had a legal duty to prevent harm...Countries breaching their climate obligations were committing a "wrongful act", the court said in its advisory opinion, which is not legally binding.
Campaigners and countries on the climate frontlines hailed a milestone moment in the fight for accountability from big polluters most responsible for global warming.
Israel recalls Gaza negotiators after Hamas responds to ceasefire plan
Mediators have been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas delegations in Qatar for more than two weeks, but the indirect talks have...International concern is growing over the plight of the more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where the fighting has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis.
International news organizations, including AFP, urged Israel on Thursday to allow journalists in and out of Gaza, with concern that a lack of food is putting their lives at risk.
Russia, Ukraine begin a fresh round of talks in Istanbul, Kremlin plays down breakthrough hopes
Ukraine said it hoped the two countries would discuss the release of prisoners and lay the ground for a meeting...A source in the Ukrainian delegation said the heads of the two delegations held a preparatory meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ahead of wider talks
The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, but managed to agree only on exchanges of prisoners and soldiers' bodies
India expulsions to Bangladesh unlawful, target Muslims: HRW
New Delhi, India - India has pushed hundreds of ethnic Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh without due process, Human Rights Watch...The Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long taken a hardline stance on immigration -- particularly those from neighbouring Muslim-majority Bangladesh
HRW, a New York-based nonprofit, said India expelled more than 1,500 Muslim men, women, and children to Bangladesh between May 7 and June 15, quoting Bangladeshi authorities
Hamas confirms it responded to latest Gaza truce proposal
Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it has responded to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, after more..."Hamas has just submitted its response and that of the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal to the mediators," the Palestinian militant group said in a statement
Negotiators from both sides have been holding indirect talks in Doha with mediators in an attempt to reach an agreement on a truce deal
Saudi investors’ delegation arrives in Syria, aims to invest billions
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- A Saudi delegation of over 100 investors arrived in Damascus on Wednesday ahead of a conference...The country's investment minister, Khalid Al-Falih, was leading the delegation, which included 120 investors, aiming to ink agreements worth 15 billion riyals ($4 billion).
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia and Qatar pledged to settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totaling about $15 million.
