UN envoy warns Syria conflict not over yet
United Nations' special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, referring to fighting between the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and...Geostrategy
Israel approves plan aiming to double annexed Golan population, Saudi calls it ‘sabotage’ of Syria
The occupied Golan is home to about 23,000 Druze Arabs, whose presence predates the occupation and most of whom retain...Geostrategy
US pledges to stop Iran from making nuclear weapons
The US will use "all elements of its national power" to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, President Joe Biden...The United States "is prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome", said US President Joe Biden.
Israel Prime Minister Lapid has said that countering Iran would be the "foremost" issue during bilateral talks.
ADFD, ADEX to give US$92m loan for Bahrain water supply project
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Abu Dhabi Exports Office signed two loan agreements with the Electricity and Water...AED will provide US$ 41mn to the Electricity and Water Authority in Bahrain to finance a water supply network project
ADEX will provide US$ 51 million for the project which aims to enhance the capacity of the water transmission networks
Libya’s state oil company chief resists move to replace him
Libya's Tripoli-based government has named a new head of the state oil company to replace veteran technocrat Mustafa Sanalla, who...Farhat Bengdara and four others will from now on make up the "board of directors of the National Oil Corporation".
Mustafa Sanallla has led the National Oil Corporation since 2014,. The Corporation has largely managed to remain neutral in the face of political wrangling.
Jordan, Greece discuss cooperation in construction, energy, agriculture
The two sides signed several agreements to implement double taxation and the Cultural and Technical Cooperation Program 2022-2025.The two sides signed several agreements to implement double taxation and the Cultural and Technical Cooperation Program 2022-2025
They decided to work for increased cooperation in the economy and commerce, as well as higher education, transportation, energy and agriculture
Saudi-Israel normalization still long way off
Israeli journalist Yoav Limor's freindly experience in Saudi hints at changes in Saudi public opinion that officials hope could one...There is little chance of Riyadh shifting its focus to ties with Israel "while ignoring the Palestinian issue", Harvard University fellow said
Israeli praised Mohammed al-Issa, a Saudi cleric who travelled to Poland in 2020 for events marking 75 years since liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz
Russia and Ukraine near grain deal in first talks since March
Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday made substantive progress in their first direct talks since March on a deal to relieve...Ukraine is a vital exporter of wheat and grains such as barley and maize, and has supplied nearly half of all the sunflower oil traded on global markets
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the talks had provided a "ray of hope to ease human suffering and alleviate hunger around the world"
Melilla migrants likely died of ‘suffocation’: Moroccan probe
At least 23 migrants who died last month in a mass attempt to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla from...The United Nations, the African Union and independent rights groups have denounced the use of excessive force by Moroccan and Spanish security personnel
The CNDH defended Moroccan forces' actions, saying such cases were "isolated" and citing the danger posed by "the large number of migrants" carrying sticks and stones
Biden vows to advance Israel’s integration into Middle East
Air Force One will make a first direct flight from Israel to Saudi Arabia amid efforts to build ties between...Biden, 79, will also meet Palestinian leaders angered by what they describe as Washington's failure to curb Israeli aggression.
The persistent frustrations of Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy are nothing new for Biden, who first visited the region in 1973 after being elected to the Senate.
Diversifying economy focus of UAE’s plans: President
The UAE will continue to strengthen cooperation and enable positive, respectful dialogue between countries to achieve stability and prosperity for...Sheikh Mohamed said more than 200 nationalities are actively participating in the growth and development of the country’s economy.
UAE’s priorities include strengthening people’s capabilities in science and technology, and develop it further to benefit all economic areas and the society, he said.
Supply risks still haunt market despite high oil prices: IEA
The Paris-based agency cautioned that the global economic recovery could be derailed unless governments take measures to reduce consumption and...The IEA now expects oil demand to rise this year to 99.2 million barrels per day (mbd) and to 101.3 mbd next year.
Meanwhile, supply climbs to 100.1 mbd this year. But even if it hits an expected record of 101.1 mbd next year, it will fall below demand.
