Call for restraint grows as Iran warns of ‘stronger response’ if attacked
As expected, Iran retaliated early Sunday by firing more than 200 drones and missiles toward Israel in response to Israel's...Geostrategy
Hamas leader’s family killed in Gaza strike as truce talks drag on
The strike came as talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire and a hostage release deal dragged on without signs...Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia, UAE mediation efforts aid the US-Russia prisoner swap
The mediation efforts were led by the Emirati president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the Crown...The mediation efforts were led by the UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Brittney Griner, a top basketball player for the United States, was released in exchange for Russian arms dealer Victor Bout
Six years later, Saudi King Salman and China’s Xi sign comprehensive strategic partnership agreement
Beijing is ready to expand its crude oil trade with Riyadh and will "list Saudi Arabia as a destination country...Beijing is ready to expand its crude oil trade with Riyadh and will "list Saudi Arabia as a destination country for outbound tourism organized by Chinese citizens, says Xi Jinping
Xi and Saudi Crown Prince witness signing of energy agreements on hydrogen as well as a plan to "harmonize" Vision 2030, with China's trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative
Abu Dhabi Chamber inks 3 pacts to drive economic growth
ABU DHABI, UAE - As part of its participation in the first edition of the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition...The MoUs are a part of the chamber’s efforts to drive economic growth in Abu Dhabi and support investment in vital sectors.
As part of its efforts to support start-ups and SMEs, the Abu Dhabi Chamber signed a partnership agreement with the Emirates Development Bank.
Xi Jinping meets Saudi Arabia’s crown prince on high-stakes visit
About $30 billion in agreements will be signed on Thursday, Saudi state media said, as China seeks to shore up...Arab leaders also began to converge on the Saudi capital ahead of a summit with Xi, who will hold separate talks with the six-member GCC.
The crown prince sees China as a critical partner in his Vision 2030 agenda, seeking the involvement of Chinese firms in mega-projects meant to diversify the economy.
Kazakhstan threatens to ban ArcelorMittal after worker death
ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN - Kazakhstan threatened Thursday to ban global steel giant ArcelorMittal from operating in the Central Asian country after...ArcellorMittal, the world's second largest steel producer, operates a dozen factories and mines in this polluted industrial Kazakh region.
Kazakhstan has in the past imposed fines on ArcelorMittal for non-compliance with ecological standards.
Lebanon parliament fails to elect president for the ninth time
Parliament is split between supporters of the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and its opponents, neither of whom have a clear...Hezbollah opponent Michel Moawad, who is seen as close to the United States, won the support of 39 MPs but fell well short of the required majority.
Moawad's candidacy is opposed by Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah called last month for a president ready to stand up to Washington.
WHO urges malaria funding boost as deaths stay stubbornly high
The World Health Organization called for more funds to help overcome towering challenges in the battle against malaria, which continues...A report highlighted significant remaining challenges, including limited donor funding.
The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded several challenges facing efforts to battle malaria.
WHO member states agree to develop draft of pandemic accord in early 2023
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Thursday agreed to develop the first draft of a...This zero draft of the pandemic accord, rooted in the WHO Constitution, will be discussed by member states in February 2023.
The agreement by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, comprising WHO’s 194 member states, was a milestone in the global process to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Netanyahu secures parliament majority, closer to forming govt
Some Israeli political analysts had forecast that Netanyahu would move to announce a coalition days after receiving his mandate from...In Israel's fifth election in less than four years, held on November 1, Netanyahu's right-wing alliance triumphed with ease
Although a final coalition agreement has not yet been signed, the agreement with Shas gives Netanyahu control over 64 of the 120 seats in the Knesset
Two killed in Iraq clashes after activist given prison term
Riot police confronted the crowd in the central Habboubi Square with "brutal" force and "fired live ammunition", said demonstrator Mohammed...Haidar al-Zaidi, 20, was sentenced to three years over a tweet of disputed origin deemed insulting to a pro-Iran ex-paramilitary force
The protesters deplored the jail term and also demanded compensation for demonstrators wounded by security forces in late 2019
