Hezbollah says Israel ‘cannot impose conditions’ for truce
U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein announced "additional progress" in Lebanon-Israel ceasefire talks, heading to Israel to finalize an agreement amidst escalating...Geostrategy
With Trump’s presidency, expect pro-Israel policies to replace Biden’s nuanced approach in Middle East relations
Trump’s return could shift US policy on Israel, with his Republican Party's pro-Israel stance and his preference for "America First"...Geostrategy
Italy’s Eni joins giant Qatar gas project after Russian cuts
Eni will own a stake of just over three percent in the $28 billion North Field East project, the world's...The project's LNG -- the cooled form of gas that makes it easier to transport -- is expected to come on line in 2026.
It will help Qatar increase its liquefied natural gas production by more than 60 percent by 2027.
US Federal Reserve hints at another interest rate hike
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Saturday threw his support behind another large interest rate increase next month. The Fed on...The super-sized rate increase came as the Fed faces intense pressure to curb soaring gas, food, and housing prices
According to Fed Governor, central bankers were trying to prepare markets by offering guidance about when it would stop purchasing bonds
Israel pounds Gaza with airstrikes after Hamas rocket fire
Israeli warplanes hit Hamas military sites in the Gaza Strip on Saturday in retaliation for rocket fire from the Palestinian...According to the officials, Israeli aircraft targeted a weapons manufacturing site and three military posts belonging to Hamas
Defense ministry has suspended an increase in Israeli entry permits for Gazan workers in response to the firing of a rocket toward Israel
Anti-government rebels in Chad threaten to pull out of Doha talks
Chad rebels due to take part in landmark talks with opposition groups and the military government on Saturday threatened to...Preparatory negotiations in Qatar ahead of a mooted inclusive full national dialogue have been stalled for months with landlocked Chad
Armed groups accused the government delegation of "stalling negotiations through harassment and intimidation"
Iran fighter jet crashes, injuring two crew members
An F-14 fighter jet crashed on Saturday while on a mission in central Iran, causing injuries to its two crew...The air force in sanctions-hit Iran has suffered several crashes in recent years, with officials complaining of difficulties in acquiring spare parts
Iran has mostly Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets that date back to the Soviet era, as well as some Chinese aircraft
Saudi crown prince likely to visit Egypt, Jordan ahead of Turkey
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman begins a regional tour Monday in Egypt that will also take him to Turkey...After Cairo, Mohammed bin Salman will travel to Jordan and then on to Turkey, a Saudi diplomat said
During the tour, he will discuss "regional and international files and the future of global cooperation"
EU unveils ‘new strategic partnership’ with GCC
European Union has unveiled a new strategic partnership with the GCC, aiming to deepen the ties with the Gulf countries.European Union High Representative Josep Borrell will present a new EU strategic paper on relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at a formal meeting of EU foreign minist
The two sides are expected to launch joint projects in the coming months in a number of areas
UAE president calls for global collaboration at Biden’s climate summit
The UAE president emphasised that the UAE, as an active partner of the global community, is determined to hold a...The UAE president emphasised that the UAE, as an active partner of the global community, is determined to hold a COP28 in 2023
He highlighted the UAE’s investment of more than $50 billion in renewable energy projects across 40 countries
‘Delay in govt formation, budget approval to hit Iraq’s economy’
A report issued by the World Bank warns of the delay in forming a government in Iraq and of not...A World Bank report warns of the delay in forming a government in Iraq
Report warns of impact of budget's non approval on the country's economy
UAE seeks Iran assurance on ‘peacefulness’ of nuclear programme
The United Arab Emirates urged Iran on Friday to provide reassurances on the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme after...The permanent representative of the UAE to the IAEA, Hamad Al Kaabi called on Iran to "closely cooperate with the IAEA".
The UAE has the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world, which lies just across the Gulf from Iran which has a nuclear power plant of its own in Bushehr.
