US-led coalition shoots down 15 Yemen rebel drones: CENTCOM
CENTCOM and coalition forces determined that the drones "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy and coalition ships...Geostrategy
US plan for Gaza aid transfer through sea dismissed by UN expert
In his annual State of the Union address to Congress, President Joe Biden said the US military would "lead an...Geostrategy
Iran seeks assurances on sanctions as nuclear talks resume
Iran said nuclear talks that are set to resume Monday in Vienna should focus on lifting sanctions on the Islamic...Negotiations to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal resumed in late November, after a five-month hiatus following the election of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi.
The talks seek to bring back the United States, after it withdrew from the accord in 2018 under president Donald Trump and began imposing sanctions on Iran.
What were the top geopolitical events of 2021?
The year 2021 was, despite the dampened activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, chock-full of landmark events.Globally, the world is still talking about the January 6 incident where supporters of then US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol
Also, the annual climate conference COP26 was held in Glasgow, with observers still divided on whether it was a success or a failure
UAE extends $2m grant to Costa Rica in flood response
The UAE has extended a grant of $2 million to Costa Rica to help the Central American country battle its...The money is expected to help Costa Rica build capacity in its National Emergency Commission to address flooding throughout the country
This comes against the backdrop of two previous aid flights sent by the UAE to Costa Rica carrying critical medical supplies to fight Covid-19
France arrests man for shipping chemical components to Syria
France detained a 60-year-old French-Syrian man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit crimes against humanity.France has arrested a man under formal investigation on suspicion of supporting the Syrian army
Syria denies the use of chemical weapons, insisting it handed over its stockpiles under a 2013 agreement
Saudi-led coalition intensifies anti-Huthi campaign, bombs camp
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Sunday it struck a Huthi rebel camp in the capital Sanaa, as it...The coalition says it will show evidence of involvement by Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in the Yemeni conflict.
Yemen has been wracked by civil war since 2014 pitting the government against the Huthis who control much of the north.
Afghanistan’s asset freeze hurts everyone
To avoid giving the Taliban access to Afghanistan's reserves, Washington froze an estimated $10 billion held by the central bank...Ordinarily, the reserves could be dipped into to pay overdue government bills and development projects, but the freeze has trickled down to the rest of the economy.
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a US resolution to help humanitarian aid reach desperate Afghans.
Israel approves $317m plan to double settlers in occupied Golan Heights
Around 25,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights, along with some 23,000 Druze, who remained on the land after...Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presented his one billion shekel ($317 million) program to improve housing, transportation, tourism and medical facilities in the area.
Former US president Donald Trump, widely viewed as pro-Israeli, granted US recognition to Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in 2019.
UAE, Morocco discuss cooperation in investment and economy
The two sides talked about Expo 2020 Dubai and the importance of the Arab countries' participation therein.The discussion took place in a meeting between UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Morocco Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch
They are also said to have reviewed the latest developments in the Arab region and exchanged views over a number of regional and international issues of common interest
Tunisia rescues 48 illegal migrants at sea
Tunisian coastguards have rescued 48 illegal migrants trying to reach Europe from neighboring Libya in a makeshift boat.The migrants —15 from Mali, 15 Syrians and four Egyptians — were intercepted and rescued off Zarzis when their boat broke down
The rescued migrants were taken to El Ketef port before being transferred to International Organization for Migration premises
Iran won’t enrich uranium beyond 60% if talks fail, says official
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran director Mohammad Eslami said the enrichment levels were related to the needs of the country.The 2015 nuclear deal offered Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program
It was derailed in 2018 when the US unilaterally withdrew under then president Donald Trump
