‘Day of funerals,’ Gazans mark grim Eid under Israeli strikes
At dawn, many Gazans gathered across different parts of the territory to offer traditional morning Eid prayers, an AFP correspondent...Geostrategy
Iran says it has responded to Trump’s nuclear talks letter
Iran has sent a response to a letter from US President Donald Trump that called for nuclear talks and warned...Geostrategy
Earthquake caused direct damage of $5.1bn in Syria, says World Bank
A massive earthquake and aftershocks in February caused an estimated US$5.1 billion in direct physical damage in Syria, said the...The earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, devastated scores of cities and killed over 50,000 people in both countries.
World Bank said that its report does not cover broader economic impacts and losses for Syria, such as production or business interruption.
Ocean conference participants pledge US$19bn
Panama City, Panama - Delegates to a global conference on saving the world's oceans pledged US$19 billion, the host country Panama...European Union announced it would dedicate $865 million to ocean-related projects this year
The total included a $6 billion from the United States, announced by White House climate envoy John Kerry
‘Schoolgirls in 5 Iran provinces treated for new poisonings’
Dozens of Iranian schoolgirls across five provinces were hospitalized in a new wave of suspected poisoning attacks, local media reported....Last week, Iran's deputy health minister, Younes Panahi, said the poisonings were aimed at shutting down education for girls
The string of poisonings come over five months into nationwide protests following the death in custody of Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini
Six EU countries urge Israel to stop settlement expansion in West Bank
LONDON, UK- Six European countries on Saturday called on Israel to stop expanding its settlements in Palestine's West Bank.Britain, France,...The EUs envoy to the Palestinians has called for accountability and action after Israeli settlers went on a rampage.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland have condemned the recent attack on Israeli citizens by Palestinian groups
Saudi, Qatar slam Israel minister’s Palestinian town remarks
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Friday condemned a call by an Israeli minister for a flashpoint Palestinian town...The Saudi foreign ministry expressed its "complete rejection of such racist and irresponsible statements"
Qatar described Smotrich's comments as "hateful and provocative" and said it considered them "a serious incitement to a war crime"
UN nuclear chief to meet Raisi during crucial Iran talks
Grossi was greeted Friday at Mehrabad International Airport by Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and...Grossi had made clear "that he was only prepared to go to Tehran if he had an invitation to speak with the president," the source told AFP
The two-day visit by the head of the IAEA comes as the Vienna-based organisation seeks greater cooperation with Iran over its nuclear activities
Tunisia warns trade unions against inviting foreigners for protest
Warning the country's powerful trade union federation against inviting foreigners to a planned weekend demonstration, Tunisian President Kais Saied said...The president said the presence of foreigners at protests "is totally unacceptable" and that Tunisia "is not a domain without a master."
He has pushed through sweeping changes to the North African country's political system, concentrating near-total power in his office
Hungary unsure of shifting Israeli embassy to Jerusalem
"I also read news in the press,” the Hungarian President Novak said. “In Hungary, a decision so far has not...The Times of Israel reported Friday the decision by Hungary is an act of support for Israel by Prime Minister Orban
If Hungary shifts its capital to Jerusalem, it would become the first European Union country to do so
Lebanon paralysis grows as security chief retires without replacement
Lebanon is navigating a devastating economic crisis that has plunged more than 80 percent of the population into poverty. Strikes...Former president Michel Aoun left office at the end of October, and sectarian leaders have been squabbling over a replacement ever since.
During more than a decade in the job, Abbas Ibrahim had to tackle numerous thorny challenges including the Syrian war's spill-over into Lebanon.
UN House to open in Doha during least developed countries’ summit
Doha, Qatar-- Qatar is preparing to inaugurate the UN House in Doha, on the sidelines of the fifth UN Conference...The house include offices for important international organizations, including the UN Children's Fund
Since its accession to the UN, Qatar has been providing financial support to its affiliated bodies and entities
