Israeli tank shell strikes Gaza’s only Catholic church, killing three
Pope Leo XIV said he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of life, which a witness said was the result...Geostrategy
Israel launches strikes in Syria’s Druze area in defence of religious minority
Israel has sought to portray itself as a defender of the community, while also warning the Syrian government against maintaining...Geostrategy
40 mostly displaced Gazans killed in Israeli strikes
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said two Israeli missiles hit several tents in the Al-Mawasi area of the southern city...Bassal said that Israeli strikes on two other encampments killed a further nine people -- seven in the northern town of Beit Lahia, and a father and son near Al-Mawasi.
Two more attacks in Jabalia -- one that killed at least seven members of the Asaliya family, and another that killed six people at a school being used as a shelter.
Qatar renews $60 mn grant for Lebanon army salaries
Qatar is to renew a $60 million grant to pay the salaries of Lebanon's army and provide 162 military vehicles,...The Lebanese President arrived in Qatar on Tuesday accompanied by foreign minister Youssef Raggi, and departed Doha on Wednesday afternoon
The gas-rich Gulf state in February pledged support for reconstruction in Lebanon and was already a provider of financial and in-kind support to the Lebanon
UN watchdog chief says Iran ‘not far’ from nuclear bomb
The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi warned on Wednesday that Iran was "not far" from possessing a nuclear...Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran has consistently denied
The UN watchdog was tasked with overseeing Iran's nuclear programme and its compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal which collapsed three years later
Israel says 30% of Gaza now buffer zone, escalates offensive and maintains aid blockade
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also ordered security chiefs and negotiators to keep pressing for the release of hostages held by...Prime Minister Netanyahu also ordered security chiefs and negotiators to keep pressing for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza
The Israeli military said that it had "achieved full operational control over several key areas and routes throughout the Gaza Strip."
WHO countries strike landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics
Geneva, Switzerland -- Years of negotiations culminated early Wednesday with countries agreeing the text of a landmark accord on how...Negotiators stumbled over the agreement's Article 11, which deals with transferring technology for pandemic health products towards developing nations.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, poorer states accused rich nations of hoarding vaccines and tests.
US approves $825 mn Stinger missile sale to Morocco
The United States on Tuesday announced the approval of an $825 million sale of up to 600 Stinger anti-air missiles...The proposed sale will improve Morocco's capability to meet current and future threats, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement
This will contribute to the Moroccan Army's goals of updating capability and further enhancing interoperability with the US and other allies, the statement added
Netanyahu visits Gaza as Hamas warns hostages may die amid continued Israeli offensive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited northern Gaza Tuesday, his office announced, as the military kept up the offensive it...Hamas said on Monday it had received a new truce offer from Israel that foresees the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire
Another Hamas official said Israel had also demanded that the Palestinian militants disarm to secure an end to the Gaza war, but said this crossed a "red line."
Trade war to cut global oil demand: International Energy Agency
Paris, France -- Global oil demand will be lower than previously forecast this year as rising trade tensions weigh on...It lowered its forecast for growth in oil demand by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) -- down from just over one million bpd in its March report to 730,000.
Trump imposed global tariffs of 10 percent this month but paused higher levies on scores of countries for 90 days.
Syria, Lebanon leaders in Qatar for first official visits
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha. Qatar has been a key backer...Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, accompanied by foreign minister Youssef Raggi, also touched down in Doha as delegations of two countries held talks.
Beirut and Damascus have been seeking to improve relations since the overthrow of Assad, whose family dynasty exercised control over Lebanese affairs for decades.
Disarming Lebanon’s Hezbollah no longer inconceivable: analysts
Beirut, Lebanon - The once unthinkable disarmament of Hezbollah could finally be within reach, as the United States pushes Lebanon...Hezbollah was left badly weakened by more than a year of hostilities with Israel, beginning with the group's campaign of rocket fire at its arch-foe in support of ally Hamas
Israel was meant to withdraw its troops, but it still remains in five points it deems "strategic" and conducts regular strikes on what it says are mostly Hezbollah targets
