New clashes rock Syria’s Druze heartland as tribal fighters reinforce Bedouin
Armed tribes supported by Syria's Islamist-led government clashed with Druze fighters in the community's Sweida heartland on Friday, a day...Geostrategy
Erdogan accuses Israel of using Druze as pretext to expand into Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Israel of using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for...Geostrategy
Syria FM says wants to ‘strengthen relations’ with China
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed on Monday his government's willingness to build a "strategic partnership" with China, a key...A foreign ministry statement said that Shaibani met with the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, at UN headquarters in New York
In the meeting with Beijing's envoy, Shaibani said the two countries "will work together to build a long-term strategic partnership in the near future
Abu Dhabi launches $500mn maternal health fund for Africa
Nairobi, Kenya -- A $500-million fund aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa was launched Tuesday in...The Beginnings Fund brings together philanthropists including the Gates Foundation and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, run by the UAE president.
It set a deadline of 2030 to reach the $500-million target and has already reached $450 million in pledges, organizers said in a statement.
UN rights chief demands world act to stop Israel’s Gaza ‘catastrophe’
"As the complete blockade of assistance essential for survival enters its ninth week, there must be concerted international efforts to...It halted aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2, days before the collapse of a ceasefire that had significantly reduced hostilities after 15 months of war.
Supplies are dwindling and the UN's World Food Programme last Friday said it had sent out its "last remaining food stocks".
UN ‘alarmed’ by US strikes in Yemen that Huthis say killed 68 migrants
The United Nations expressed deep alarm on Monday at reports that US strikes on Yemen killed scores of people at...The US military has hammered the Iran-backed Huthis with near-daily strikes since March 15 in an operation dubbed "Rough Rider."
Huthi-controlled media said the latest strikes on the movement's stronghold of Saada killed at least 68 people, all Africans
Amnesty accuses Israel of ‘live-streamed genocide’ against Gaza Palestinians
Paris, France - Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Israel of committing a "live-streamed genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza by forcibly...In its annual report, Amnesty charged that Israel had acted with "specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, thus committing genocide."
Israel has rejected accusations of "genocide" from Amnesty, other rights groups and some states in its war in Gaza
Putin orders three-day ceasefire; Zelensky slams it as manipulative ahead of Victory Day
Before Putin's announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held new talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, having declared that...Before Putin’s announcement, US Secretary of State Rubio told Lavrov this week is critical for peace efforts
The Kremlin said Putin had ordered a "ceasefire" for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day from May 8 to May 10
Brazil calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza at BRICS ministers’ meet
The meeting comes at a critical moment for the world economy after the International Monetary Fund this week slashed growth..."The resumption of Israeli bombardments and the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid are unacceptable," Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said.
The BRICS grouping has expanded significantly since its 2009 inception, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.
China says on ‘right side of history’ in trade standoff with US
Since returning to the presidency in January, US President Donald Trump has imposed 10 percent tariffs on most US trading...The US, China said, "play cards out of thin air, bully and go back on their word", condemning Washington's "unilateralism and bullying."
Beijing, however, has vowed to fight a trade war "to the end" and denied US claims it is in talks with Washington
Trump thinks Zelensky ready to give up Crimea to Russia
US President Donald Trump said he believed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to concede Crimea to Russia as part...Trump also stepped up pressure on Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian president should "stop shooting" and sign an agreement to end the grinding war
Trump's comments came a day after he met Zelensky during the funeral of Pope Francis, breaking the ice after a major row between the US and Ukrainian leaders at the White House
Khamenei orders probe into port blast as Iran’s nuclear talks, regional tensions simmer in background
The New York Times quoted a person with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity...His instructions came after President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the blast scene in Shahid Rajaee Port near the strategic Strait of Hormuz
Defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told state TV that "there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area."
