Israel says expanding Gaza offensive to seize ‘large areas’
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would bolster its military presence in the Palestinian territory to "destroy and clear the...Geostrategy
Le Pen’s French presidency bid in jeopardy after election ban
A French court on Monday threw into severe doubt far-right leader Marine Le Pen's 2027 bid for president, handing her...Geostrategy
UAE, Pakistan discuss ways to enhance mutual trade, investment
The UAE accounts for over 40% of Pakistan's trade with Arab countries, with non-oil exports from the UAE to Pakistan...UAE is Pakistan's leading investment partner in the Gulf and fifth at a global level, a report said at the end of 2021.
The non-oil trade between the two hit the figures of $7 bn in 2022, marking an increase of 30 percent compared to 2021.
Tear gas fired at Lebanon protest against economic meltdown
Lebanon's economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent global history, has plunged most...The Lebanese pound, officially pegged at 15,000 to the dollar, has been trading on parallel markets at more than 100,000 against the greenback.
Some protesters shouted slogans against the political elite, widely blamed for the country's financial collapse.
UN’s water report: Floods cause $650bn in damages in 19 years
UN Water forum published its report as the first major conference on the issue in nearly a half-century is set...Global water consumption has increased by about 1 percent per year over the past four decades.
Warming also intensifies and raises the frequencies of droughts, which over the same period affected 1.4 billion people.
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
