Israel PM threatens to seize parts of Gaza over fate of hostages
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Wednesday to seize parts of Gaza if Hamas did not release hostages, while the militant...Geostrategy
Russia, Ukraine agree to halt Black Sea strikes in US-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia
With President Donald Trump pushing for a rapid end to the war that has killed tens of thousands of people,...Geostrategy
Israel and Jordan agree to clean polluted Jordan river
Jordan is one of the world's most water-deficient countries, suffering from extreme droughts, and water cooperation with Israel long pre-dates...The agreement inked at the COP27 stresses the need to rehabilitate the river system which, experts say, has lost roughly half of its biodiversity.
Israel's environmental protection minister, Tamar Zandberg, called the pact "an expression of the close relationship... between the two countries".
Mourners hit streets as Iran protests take bloody turn
Hundreds of mourners poured onto the streets of a flashpoint Iranian city, defying a lethal crackdown on protests over Mahsa...The tradition in Iran of holding a "chehelom" mourning ceremony 40 days after a death has fuelled the demonstrations.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abollahian accused Israel and its allies of plotting against the country.
Lebanon MPs fail for sixth time to elect president
Lebanese lawmakers failed for a sixth time to elect a successor to former president Michel Aoun, whose mandate expired last...There have been delays in electing previous Lebanese presidents.
This year's vacancy comes as Lebanon is mired in an economic crisis that the World Bank has dubbed one of the worst in recent history.
Gunmen kill 9 in two separate shootings in protest-hit Iran cities
Tehran, Iran— Assailants on motorbikes shot dead nine people, including a woman and two children, during protests in two separate attacks...A senior judicial official in Khuzestan province said that three suspects were arrested and the hunt was on for others after first attack on protesters and security forces in Izeh
It is the second attack that the Iranian authorities have blamed on "terrorists" since nationwide protests flared over Amini's death
Saudi Arabia, South Korea agree to boost energy and defence ties
Among the agreements was Saudi investment for South Korean refiner S-OIL's Shaheen project, which would build petrochemical production facilities in...Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman arrived in Seoul Wednesday. His Asian tour is aimed at shoring up the Gulf nation's ties with Saudi's biggest energy market.
During the visit, the two governments and companies from both countries signed about 20 deals in areas from agriculture to railways.
Ukraine grain deal extended ‘under current terms’: Turkey
Ukraine is one of the world's top grain producers, and Russia's invasion of the country blocked 20 million tons of...The agreement would be in force for "120 days considering the winter conditions", and there could be "new arrangements" after the winter season
An international source close to the negotiations also confirmed to AFP that the parties concerned agreed to extend the deal
Macron says ‘must not politicize sport’ ahead of Qatar World Cup
"I think we must not politicize sport," said Macron, whose national team is defending the title they won in Russia...French president, who will go to Qatar if France reach the semi-finals, said it was "a very bad idea to politicize sport."
France begin their defense of the World Cup trophy against Australia on Tuesday before also playing Denmark and Tunisia
Israel, US blame Iran as ‘drone strike’ hits tanker off Oman
An Israeli official told AFP that the strike on the tanker was "an Iranian provocation" that aimed to "disrupt the...The Pacific Zircon was "hit by a projectile 150 miles off the coast of Oman" on Tuesday
The tanker was carrying 42,000 tonnes of gas oil and bound for Buenos Aires
Qatar steps up diplomatic, media offensive against rights criticism
In an interview with AFP, Qatar's Labor Minister Ali bin Samikh Al Marri said "racism" was behind the onslaught on...Qatar's chief World Cup organizer said attacks on the Gulf state had been launched because it "competed as equals and snatched" the World Cup from rival bidders.
Qatar's media has spoken of a "systematic conspiracy" by European rivals. Al Sharq newspaper slammed "the arrogance" of some European countries.
‘Projectile’ hits tanker off Oman coast, Israel blames Iran
The tanker was "hit by a projectile approximately 150 miles off the coast of Oman ... on 15 November," the..."There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress," it said. It was not immediately clear who launched the projectile.
The Bahrain-based United States Fifth Fleet said it was "aware of the incident". UK Maritime Trade Operations, a British monitor, also said it knew of the incident.
