Putin in Azerbaijan for state visit amid Ukraine offensive on Russian soil
Aliyev and Putin will sign joint documents and make statements to the press, said Russian agency Ria Novosti. On Monday,...Geostrategy
Qatar to host high-stakes Gaza ceasefire talks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told several Middle Eastern counterparts in recent days that "this ceasefire deal is of...Geostrategy
Jordan PM Al-Khasawneh meets the CEO of NEOM
Al-Khasawneh stressed the establishment of investments and joint projects in a way that contributes to addressing and responding to the...Al-Khasawneh stressed the establishment of investments and joint projects in a way that contributes to addressing and responding to the challenges of climate change
The CEO of the Saudi "NEOM" company stressed pursuit of serious and real cooperation with Jordan to move forward with the implementation of economically feasible projects
More than 200 new species found in Mekong region: WWF
Scientists discovered more than 200 new species across the greater Mekong region in 2020, according to a WWF report, despite...The finds include a new primate, a colorless cavefish and an iridescent snake with an unusual non-overlapping pattern of scales.
The greater Mekong region, with landscapes ranging from jungles to mountains and karst formations, is a hugely important biodiversity hotspot.
Federation of Saudi Chambers calls for better Arab-Russia trade relations
Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) Ajlan Al-Ajlan has called for preparing a roadmap to enhance economic relations...Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Ajlan Al-Ajlan recommends establishment of joint companies and an e-platform to promote Russian and Arab products.
Al-Ajlan also stressed the importance of overcoming financial and banking obstacles and stimulating Russian banks to open branches in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli president to visit Turkey in February: Erdogan
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will pay an official visit to Turkey in February, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on...In recent months, however, the two countries have been working on a rapprochement, with Erdogan holding telephone talks with Herzog
Relations between Turkey and Israel froze over after the death of 10 civilians in an Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla in 2010
Iran arrests 17 for filming candid camera horror pranks
Iranian police have arrested 17 university graduates on suspicion of filming candid camera horror pranks that boosted their social media...Gags included mock murders and a suicide as well as throwing cakes in the faces of passengers on the escalators of the Tehran metro
The author of the gag filmed on the Tehran metro was open about his motives
Riyadh, Bangkok restore ties years after gem theft
Riyadh and Bangkok restored their diplomatic relation broken over jewel theft by a Thai-born janitor who stole $20 million worth...Saudi Arabia and Thailand have announced they re-established their diplomatic relations, decades after a jewel theft from a Saudi palace
The move is the result of long-standing efforts at different levels to re-establish mutual confidence and friendly relations, they said in a joint statement
Qatar emir to meet with Biden in Washington Jan 31: W.House
Qatar, a close US ally, has huge gas reserves and is the world's biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Biden...Biden and the Gulf state leader will discuss security in the Middle East and "ensuring the stability of global energy supplies."
The meeting comes as Washington and its European allies are seeking to shore up energy contingency plans should Russia squeeze supplies due to tensions with the West over Ukraine
Saudi Arabia, Romania sign wide-ranging defense agreement
Saudi Arabia and Romania signed on Tuesday a defense cooperation agreement that covers training, exchange of expertise, technologies, developing communications...The pact includes training, exchange of expertise, technologies and developing communications systems.
The agreement is in line with the two sides’ commitment to promote and encourage international peace, media reports said.
American companies willing to invest in Tunisia: Ambassador Blome
A number of US companies are willing to invest in basic infrastructure and logistics to support Tunisia's efforts in this...Tunisian Transport Minister Rabii Majidi expressed the will to further strengthen cooperation with the United States.
Both parties exchanged views on the draft bilateral agreement in the field of air transport. The US ambassador urged stepping up talks to materialize this agreement.
Museum pulls Arafat caricatures after outrage
The 35-piece exhibit at the museum in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, faced immediate backlash after it was installed on Sunday....Activists from Fatah, the Palestinian movement Arafat founded, demanded an investigation into how the images came to be displayed.
In a statement, the museum insisted the images were merely artistic impressions of a revered Palestinian leader.
