France issues arrest warrant for Syria’s Assad over 2012 journalist killings: lawyers
Paris, France -- French judicial authorities have issued arrest warrants for ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and six other top...Geostrategy
Leaders gather in China for SCO summit ceremony, Xi slams ‘bullying’ behaviour in world order
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated...Geostrategy
Israel making Gaza unlivable, expands control over half of the territory
Jerusalem, Undefined -- By seizing large swathes of the Gaza Strip, Israel is redrawing the map of the Palestinian territory,...Nearly all Gazans have been displaced at least once, and many now live in schools turned shelters, under tents and in other makeshift shelters.
Some Israeli figures who advocate for the return of settlements in the Gaza Strip -- which were evacuated in 2005 -- claim to have concrete plans and make regular visits.
Chinese vent anger at Trump’s trade war with memes, mockery
Beijing, China -- While China's leaders use their economic and political might to fight Donald Trump's trade war "to the...Defiant posts have shot to the top of most-searched lists on social media, flooding platforms with patronizing comments and jokes.
In one video, a Chinese internet user opens his hands to reveal what goods he buys from the United States -- nothing.
Deadly US strikes hit Yemen fuel port used by Huthis
The US military said it had destroyed a key Yemeni fuel port as it targets the country's Huthi rebels, who...The attack on the Ras Issa fuel port aimed to cut off a source of supplies and funds for the Iran-backed Huthis, the US military said
Washington has hammered the Huthis with near-daily air strikes since March 15 in a bid to end their attacks on civilian shipping and military vessels
Hamas rejects Israel’s truce plan, demands full withdrawal and end of war in Gaza
The Palestinian militants' chief negotiator spoke out after civil defence rescuers in Gaza said new Israeli air strikes killed at...A Hamas source told AFP that the group sent a written response Thursday to mediators on Israel's latest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire
It also called for the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza
40 mostly displaced Gazans killed in Israeli strikes
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said two Israeli missiles hit several tents in the Al-Mawasi area of the southern city...Bassal said that Israeli strikes on two other encampments killed a further nine people -- seven in the northern town of Beit Lahia, and a father and son near Al-Mawasi.
Two more attacks in Jabalia -- one that killed at least seven members of the Asaliya family, and another that killed six people at a school being used as a shelter.
Qatar renews $60 mn grant for Lebanon army salaries
Qatar is to renew a $60 million grant to pay the salaries of Lebanon's army and provide 162 military vehicles,...The Lebanese President arrived in Qatar on Tuesday accompanied by foreign minister Youssef Raggi, and departed Doha on Wednesday afternoon
The gas-rich Gulf state in February pledged support for reconstruction in Lebanon and was already a provider of financial and in-kind support to the Lebanon
UN watchdog chief says Iran ‘not far’ from nuclear bomb
The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi warned on Wednesday that Iran was "not far" from possessing a nuclear...Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran has consistently denied
The UN watchdog was tasked with overseeing Iran's nuclear programme and its compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal which collapsed three years later
Israel says 30% of Gaza now buffer zone, escalates offensive and maintains aid blockade
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also ordered security chiefs and negotiators to keep pressing for the release of hostages held by...Prime Minister Netanyahu also ordered security chiefs and negotiators to keep pressing for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza
The Israeli military said that it had "achieved full operational control over several key areas and routes throughout the Gaza Strip."
WHO countries strike landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics
Geneva, Switzerland -- Years of negotiations culminated early Wednesday with countries agreeing the text of a landmark accord on how...Negotiators stumbled over the agreement's Article 11, which deals with transferring technology for pandemic health products towards developing nations.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, poorer states accused rich nations of hoarding vaccines and tests.
US approves $825 mn Stinger missile sale to Morocco
The United States on Tuesday announced the approval of an $825 million sale of up to 600 Stinger anti-air missiles...The proposed sale will improve Morocco's capability to meet current and future threats, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement
This will contribute to the Moroccan Army's goals of updating capability and further enhancing interoperability with the US and other allies, the statement added
