US proposes $8B arms deal with Israel; Biden plans strikes on Houthis as Gaza aid faces Trump-era cuts
The US proposes an $8 billion arms deal with Israel, plans intensified strikes on Yemen's Houthis, while Israel considers cutting...Geostrategy
South Korea’s Yoon: from star prosecutor to president facing arrest
Yoon is under investigation for his martial law declaration and faces criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life...Geostrategy
Israel spy chief to discuss Gaza truce with Qatar PM: source
The talks in the Qatari capital are the first after weeks of intense negotiations involving Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators...The meeting between Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egyptian envoys "is expected to take place today"
Palestinian fighters seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages during the October 7 attack, but dozens were released during a week-long truce in November
Oxfam blames Israel for ‘deliberately’ blocking aid to Gaza
Oxfam said in a report that Israel continued to "systematically and deliberately block and undermine any meaningful international humanitarian response"...Oxfam said inspection rules were causing aid trucks to be stuck in queues for 20 days on average
The group noted that Israeli authorities arbitrarily reject "dual-use" items
Israeli army says operation under way in Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital
Al-Shifa is the Gaza Strip's largest hospital. The Israeli army had in November last year carried out an operation in...Soldiers "are currently conducting a precise operation in the area of the Shifa hospital," a statement from the military said
Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of running military operations from hospitals and other medical centers, claims the fighter group denies
Climate change undermines global security, says NATO chief
Baku, Azerbaijan--NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday stressed the need to fight global warming, and called climate change a "crisis...Stoltenberg said in Baku the challenge was that "the world needs energy, but at the same time we need to fight global warming"
He also hailed Azerbaijan for investing in alternative energies, stressing the country's "great potential" as a supplier of hydropower
Putin hails election victory, says would not be ‘intimidated’
If he completes another full Kremlin term, Putin will have stayed in power longer than any Russian leader since Catherine...All of the 71-year-old's major opponents are dead, in prison or exiled
He has overseen an unrelenting crackdown on anybody who publicly opposes his rule
Israeli PM says civilians can leave crowded Rafah before invasion
Israel has repeatedly threatened a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, where people shelter in tents crammed up against the...Netanyahu had on Friday said he approved the military's plan for an operation in Rafah as well as "the evacuation of the population."
The US - which provides Israel military assistance - has said it wants a "clear and implementable plan" to ensure civilians are "out of harm's way."
German Chancellor calls for Gaza deal with ‘longer-lasting ceasefire’
JERUSALEM – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday called for a deal to free hostages held in war-ravaged Gaza accompanied...In Jerusalem, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a "negotiated two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu is under intense domestic political pressure to free hostages seized during Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack
Attack on Gaza’s Rafah inevitable, says Israeli PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send ground forces into Gaza's southern Rafah city. The right-wing premier, whose security...Israel has repeatedly threatened to launch a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah.
US has said it cannot support a Rafah operation without a "credible, achievable, executable plan" to shelter civilians.
Passports officers to ease travel for Ramadan at Dammam airport and causeway
DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA – With the increase in passenger traffic during Ramadan, the General Directorate of Passports is ramping up...The directorate's officers in Dammam are utilizing modern technology to expedite procedures and ensure smooth and efficient traveler traffic.
The directorate's officers at both locations are working tirelessly, welcoming travelers and providing services professionally.
WHO calls on Israel to halt planned assault on Rafah
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the military's "plans for action in Rafah", according to a statement Friday, which gave...WHO chief wrote on X that he wa gravely concerned about reports of an Israeli plan to go into Rafah
He said an evacuation planned by the Israeli army before its assault was not a practical solution
