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
Time for Syria to return to Arab fold, Sheikh Mohamed tells Assad
Abu Dhabi, which normalized relations with Assad's government in 2018, has led aid efforts in the aftermath of the February...This is Bashar al-Assad's second trip to the UAE in successive years, and follows his visit to Oman in February.
UAE has vowed to provide in excess of $100 million as aid to quake hit Syria, and gave thousands of tons materials in relief items.
Iran’s president welcomes invitation by Saudi king
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has "welcomed" an invitation from Saudi Arabia's King Salman to visit the kingdom following the reconciliation...Riyadh cut relations after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
The two regional heavyweights announced on March 11 a Chinese-brokered deal to restore ties nearly seven years after they were severed.
Former Qatar finance minister charged with bribery, money laundering, corruption
DOHA, QATAR - Qatari prosecutors have charged former finance minister Ali Sharif Al-Emadi with bribery, money laundering and a range of...Ali Sharif Al-Emadi who became finance minister and chairman of Qatar National Bank in 2013, has not been held in detention.
Prosecutors said the investigation had been completed "by interrogating the accused, hearing witnesses, and examining the technical reports".
Kuwait nullifies 2022 elections, reinstates previous parliament
The ruling was made due to discrepancies in the decree dissolving the previous parliament, the official KUNA news agency said....Many in the opposition had stayed out of elections in the past decade, over what they saw as alleged meddling in parliament by the executive authorities.
Kuwait is the only Gulf Arab state with a fully elected parliament. One of the world's biggest oil exporters, it adopted a parliamentary system in 1962.
UAE, Serbia discuss cooperation in R&D, innovation
BELGRADE, SERBIA - UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology Sarah Al Amiri discussed cooperation in research...The UAE minister discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two nations in her visit to Serbia.
She also discussed ways and means to strengthen the education system and vocational schools.
China’s President Xi Jinping plays peacemaker on Russia visit
Xi is pushing for a greater role for China on the global stage and rumours that he may soon hold...Announcing the trip Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China would "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks"
China last month published a 12-point position paper on the war in Ukraine, calling for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignity
Canada eases immigration rules to make Syrians, Turks feel at home
"Canada is committed to providing relief to those impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria," said Sean Fraser, Minister...The new measures would allow, for example, people from those countries to apply for work permits that authorize foreigners to work for any employer for a specified period
The announcement comes 10 days after the UN urged the international community to speed up its settlement of Syrian refugees from areas affected by the earthquake in Turkey
Former US President Donald Trump claims his arrest is imminent
Donald Trump called on his supporters to "protest, take our nation back", as he expects to be arrested over an...A conviction in the hush money case would not prevent Trump from running, but an indictment can have major consequences
Denouncing Trump's announcement as "reckless, Nancy Pelosi said it would foment unrest among his supporters
Ukraine grain deal extended, says Turkey’s President
Turkey announced the extension of a deal that has allowed exports of Ukrainian grain to resume following Russia's invasion, but...Turkey and the United Nations did not specify the duration of the grain deal.
A deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022 - and signed by Kyiv and Moscow - had allowed for the safe passage og grain supplies.
Erdogan to meet Egyptian President al-Sisi soon, says Turkish minister
Turkey's top diplomat said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would meet to mark the end...Turkey's foreign minister said his country wants to restore diplomatic relations with Egypt at the highest level.
Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry visited Turkey in February after the deadly earthquake as a mark of solidarity
