Israel’s Netanyahu arrives in Hungary, defying ICC warrant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest early Thursday on his first trip to Europe since 2023 and in...Geostrategy
European Parliament approves aid package for Egypt, Jordan
Brussels, Belgium -- Members of the European Parliament have approved two proposals to provide Egypt and Jordan with loans worth...Geostrategy
US enters into deal with Canada on illegal migration during Biden trip
Face-to-face talks between Biden and Trudeau covered a range of areas where both sides are pushing for improvements. A joint...Biden signalled a resolution to one irritant in the close relationship, with a deal on managing the growing issue of undocumented migration on US, Canada border
The two leaders also reaffirmed support for pro-Western Ukraine "for as long as it takes" in its war to push back Russian invasion, and issued a warning to China
Biden says not seeking conflict with Iran after strikes that killed 14
The US president sought to lower the temperature on Friday, saying the United States "does not seek conflict with Iran,...Pentagon said a US contractor died, and another contractor and five military personnel were wounded by a kamikaze drone "of Iranian origin"
In response, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday that, at Biden's direction, he had ordered the precision air strikes tonight in eastern Syria
Greece, Italy to discuss rail ‘restart’ after tragedy: PM
Following last month's rail tragedy, Greece's prime minister said that he would discuss with Italy safety improvements on Geek trains...The prime minister said that his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni accepted an invitation to talks in Athens before the Greek general election in May
Late last month, two trains collided head-on after running on the same track for several kilometers (miles), killing 57 people
Dozens of sub-Saharan migrants missing in latest Tunisia shipwreck
The boat carrying 38 people had set off Thursday from near Sfax and was attempting to reach Italy, said Fawzi...Tunisia's population of 12 million hosts an estimated 21,000 migrants from other parts of Africa, representing 0.2 percent of the population.
Earlier Friday, Alarm Phone, a charity monitoring migrant boats, said that 40 people were at risk on a "boat in distress trying to escape Tunisia".
France bars public employees from using TikTok on work phones
Paris, France - France on Friday banned public-sector employees from downloading "recreational applications" on their work phones, the public services ministry...The ban would include "game apps like Candy Crush, streaming apps like Netflix and recreational apps like TikTok".
Recreational applications do not present sufficient levels of cybersecurity and data protection to be deployed on administrative equipment," said the public services ministry.
Funding for UN refugee operations swells via Zakat Fund
Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani of Qatar, who serves as a UNHCR advocate, has been the biggest contributor..."Last year, we raised more than $20 million in Ramadan alone," said Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR's representative to the GCC countries. "We are hoping to exceed that this year."
The agency said it was increasingly able to channel obligatory donations under Islam to help fund its activities.
Israel attorney general criticizes judicial reform move
JERUSALEM -Israel's attorney general on Friday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "illegal" public intervention on the government's divisive judicial...The prime minister must avoid any involvement in changes in the judicial system, Israel’s attorney general said.
Israel’s PM pledged to do everything to find a solution that would satisfy both supporters and critics of the judicial reforms.
Those who sow the wind reap the whirlwind: Iran on French protests
Kanani was referring to criticism, including from France, of Iran's response to months-long protests triggered by the death of Mahsa...Protesters clashed with French security forces on Thursday in the most serious violence yet of a three-month revolt against Macron's decision to increase the retirement age
Kanani was referring to criticism, including from France, of Iran's response to months-long protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini after the 22-year-old's arrest
Denmark asks Nord Stream owner to help recover mystery object
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - Denmark has invited the Russian-controlled operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to help recover a mystery object...Russian energy giant Gazprom holds a majority stake in the twin pipelines, with the rest owned by German, Dutch and French companies.
The Danish energy agency released a photo of the cylindrical object standing near the Nord Stream 2 pipeline at the bottom of the sea.
Saudi on track to achieve UN sustainable goals by 2030: Minister
Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia has said that the kingdom is on track to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development...Deputy Minister for Water Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani told UN Water Conference that the kingdom has restructured the water sector and developed the National Water Strategy.
The kingdom has allocated $80 billion for water projects in the coming years as part of its efforts to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
