Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
An unidentified Israeli official told The Washington Post the "strike" was retaliation for Iran's drone and missile barrage and was...Geostrategy
US, EU to impose fresh sanctions on Iran following recent missile attack on Israel
The United States announced Tuesday that it was preparing new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone program after last weekend’s...Geostrategy
Jordanian-Bahraini business forum explores investment opportunities
AMMAN, JORDAN - The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) organized the Jordanian-Bahraini Business Forum in Bahrain's capital, Manama, to increase...The Jordan Chamber of Industry stressed on the role of the private sector as a driver of the economy.
The JCI described the level of trade between Jordan and Bahrain as "below aspirations," amounting to less than US$300 million.
Turkey’s bickering opposition seeks unity against Erdogan
The opposition's campaign "appears abstract and distant" to voters, especially in a country where the media is heavily controlled by...The opposition's campaign "appears abstract and distant" to voters, especially in a country where the media is heavily controlled by the government, Western diplomat said
Rumors are swirling that Erdogan may push forward the election to late April or early May, giving the opposition even less time to prepare
Israel justice minister presents controversial court reforms
After November elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power last week, heading what analysts call the most right-wing government...The key reform proposed, the "derogation clause", would allow parliament to annul a decision of the Supreme Court with a simple majority vote
Analysts say such a clause would also allow lawmakers to uphold any annulment of the corruption charges against Netanyahu
UAE President and Jordan’s King discuss ties in Abu Dhabi
The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has met with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Abu Dhabi and discussed "fraternal...Ayman Al Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was also present
Upon his arrival, the king was welcomed by the president and a number of Sheikhs
Iranian Revolutionary Guard killed outside his house in Tehran
Tehran, Iran - A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards was shot dead outside his house in Tehran, state media reported Wednesday,...Qassam Fathollahi was shot "four times in front of his house" in southern Tehran late Tuesday by "unknown persons".
Police had noted "signs of theft from the apartments around the scene" of the shooting, the report added.
Palestinians mull next moves after Israel minister’s Al-Aqsa visit
Hours after Ben-Gvir's appearance at the sensitive site, Hamas and other militant groups held emergency meetings to discuss a "proportionate"...Jamal al-Fadi, a politics professor at Gaza's Al-Azhar University, said Hamas "does not want a new military escalation and is currently gauging American and Arab reactions".
Israel's left-wing daily Haaretz cautioned a key moment would come Friday, when thousands of Muslims gather at the compound for prayers.
Japan’s PM to meet Biden in Washington, visit other G7 allies
The two leaders are expected to discuss regional security challenges, including North Korea and China, as well as Russia's invasion...Japan is assuming the presidency of the G7 grouping and Kishida said he also plans to visit members France, Italy, Canada and Britain this month
Kishida will host the G7 leaders summit in Hiroshima in May and wants to put achieving a world free of nuclear weapons on the international agenda
Pakistan expects a boost in trade with UAE in 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The bilateral trade between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates is expected to double from the US$10.6 billion,...The ambassador said the UAE is the biggest trading partner of Pakistan in the MENA region and that CEPA would provide an opportunity for the two countries to increase trade
More than a million Pakistanis residing in the UAE sent $6.11 billion in remittances during 2020-21
Turkey hosts Syria opposition after outreach to Assad
Erdogan's hopes for talks with Assad follow calls from Turkey's main opposition party as it is pressing Erdogan to speed...Erdogan has suggested that the talks between the defense chiefs be followed up by a meeting between the foreign ministers that could set up a potential presidential summit
Erdogan's foreign policy adviser Ibrahim Kalin confirmed that Ankara was now pressing Damascus to take steps for the return of Syrian refugees who fled the fighting to Turkey
Iraq says former official returned fraction of stolen US$2.5BN
The government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani took over from Kadhemi in October and has made regular announcements about...The anti-corruption agency identified the suspect who returned the funds as Haitham al-Juburi, who is in detention and a former adviser to ex PM Mustafa al-Kadhemi
According to a document of tax authority, $2.5 billion was allegedly expropriated between September 2021 and August last year through 247 cheques cashed by five enterprises
