Hamas armed wing says Israel blocking ceasefire and hostage release talks
The armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday accused Israel of blocking a deal in talks for...Geostrategy
Baghdad and Arbil agree to resume Kurdish oil exports: government
Baghdad, Iraq -- The Iraqi government announced Thursday an agreement to resume crude exports from the autonomous Kurdistan region after...Geostrategy
Qatar Prime Minister sees some progress on Gaza truce
"We need to find an answer for the ultimate question: how to end this war. That's, that's basically, I think,...The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps. Israel resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18.
Hamas is open to an agreement to end the war that would see all hostages released and secure a five-year truce, an official told AFP as the group's negotiators met in Cairo.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to settle Syria’s World Bank debt
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced on Sunday that they would settle Syria's debt to the World...Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach to Syria's new rulers since the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December.
The statement came just days after Syria's central bank governor and finance minister attended the IMF and World Bank spring meetings for the first time in more than 20 years.
Massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port kills 18, injures 800
Although the cause of the blast was not immediately clear, the port's customs office said in a statement carried by...The NYT, quoting a person with ties to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that what exploded was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles.
"The intensity of the fire in Shahid Rajaee Port has increased and it is possible that the fire could spread to other areas and containers," state TV said late Saturday.
Trump trade war pushes firms to consider stockpiling
Even if they don't all acknowledge it so openly, firms in many different sectors are stockpiling their products in the United...Whether it's the luxury, electronics or pharmaceutical sectors, US President Donald Trump's unpredictability complicates the calculations of firms.
Some companies didn't wait for Trump's April 2 announcement of massive "reciprocal" trade tariffs: they had already begun shipping more of their goods to the United States.
Palestinian president Abbas appoints Fatah veteran Hussein al Sheikh as potential successor
Abbas's close aide, 69-year-old Hussein was appointed as the first ever vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization after the...The PLO is empowered to negotiate and sign international treaties on behalf of the Palestinian people, while the PA is responsible for governance in parts of the Palestine.
The PLO is an umbrella organization comprising several Palestinian factions, but not Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are currently at war with Israeli forces in Gaza.
Russia says retook Kursk from Ukraine with North Korean help
The Russian army has fully liberated the border Kursk region from Ukrainian control with the help of North Korean soldiers,...Gerasimov especially hailed the "heroism" of the North Korean soldiers taking part in the operation, who provided significant assistance in defeating the group of Ukrainian forces
However, the Ukrainian Chief of Staff acknowledged the situation on the battlefield was "difficult", while insisting Ukrainian forces were still holding positions in Kursk
Hamas says open to 5-year Gaza truce, one-time hostages release
Cairo, Egypt - Hamas is open to an agreement to end the war in Gaza that would see all hostages...The Hamas official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the Palestinian militant group "is ready for an exchange of prisoners in a single batch and a five year truce
Hamas has consistently demanded that a truce deal must lead to an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a surge in humanitarian aid
Iran, US discuss nuclear deal in third round of talks
Muscat, Oman - The United States and Iran went into detail about a potential nuclear deal Saturday at their third...US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi again led the talks, which this time included a technical-level meeting between experts from both sides
In an interview released Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's firm stance against Iran's uranium enrichment
Trump, Zelensky meet on sidelines of pope’s funeral
US President Donald Trump on Saturday criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for attacks on civilian areas of Ukraine in recent...Zelensky said they discussed a possible unconditional ceasefire with Russia and was "hoping for results" from a "very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic."
The war cast a shadow over preparations for Francis's funeral, and even as it took place, Russia claimed its forces had "fully liberated" the border Kursk region
India, Pakistan and threats of a water war: what we know
India, furious after a deadly attack, has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, with Islamabad warning any attempt to...The 65-year-old pact was considered a rare diplomatic success story between bitter nuclear-armed rivals who have fought multiple conflicts
But one thing experts on both sides of the border agree on is that while important, its suspension will have limited immediate impact on water
