Trump, Putin agree halt to Ukraine energy attacks but no ceasefire
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed Tuesday on a halt in Russian attacks against Ukrainian energy targets -- but fell...Geostrategy
Hamas says ready to free Israeli-US hostage, remains of 4 others
During the initial six-week phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 hostages, including eight who were deceased, in exchange for...Geostrategy
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.
Ras Al Khaimah to allow ‘gaming’ at upcoming resort in Marjan
The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah on Tuesday announced a multibillion-dollar deal with casino giant Wynn Resorts and said it will...The emirate announced a multibillion-dollar deal with casino giant Wynn Resorts, but did not elaborate on 'gaming', a euphemism for gambling in the US.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said a new gaming division would require “compliance with all applicable laws and regulations".
Houthi rebels lose a key district days after UAE attack
Yemen's Houthi rebels were driven out of a key district by the United Arab Emirates-trained Giants Brigade, the militia said...The Iran-backed Houthis lost Harib district south of Marib, the strategically vital northern city they have been fighting to topple for months
The Giants Brigade said "hundreds were killed and wounded on both sides" in battles that lasted for more than two weeks
Iran ready for ‘direct’ nuclear talks with US
The US said multiple times it was ready to hold direct talks, and now Iran's foreign minister has also said...Iran open to direct nuclear negotiations with the US, which declared itself ready to hold talks "urgently" on 2015 nuclear accord
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said earlier that negotiating with the 'enemy' does not mean surrendering
Saudi finance minister calls for GCC cooperation
Saudi Arabia's finance minister, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, has stressed the need for the promotion of the joint Gulf action,...During the meeting, the ministers reviewed the progress made on issues related to strengthening the financial and economic cooperation among the GCC states
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance, Chairman of the current session, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan
Saad Hariri, former PM of Lebanon, quits politics
Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri announced Monday he would not run in upcoming parliamentary elections and was withdrawing from...The Sunni Muslim leader said he was "suspending his work in political life" and urged fellow members of his Future party to leave the political arena
A tearful Hariri, who was first elected to parliament in 2005, also announced he would not run in the legislative polls due in May
WHO chief says how World can end Covid emergency this year
The countries need to work harder to ensure equitable access to vaccines and treatment, track the virus and its emerging...Since the Omicron strain was first detected in southern Africa nine weeks ago, Tedros said 80m cases had been reported to the WHO -- more than in all of 2020.
Half of the WHO's 194 member states missed the previous target of vaccinating 40 percent of their people by end-2021.
Taliban, Western envoys meet for Oslo talks
A Taliban delegation headed by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is meeting representatives of the US, France, Britain, Germany, Italy,...The closed-door discussions, facilitated by Norway, are being held at the Soria Moria Hotel, on a snowy hilltop outside Oslo
The Taliban met with Afghan civil society members, including women activists and journalists during the first day of the Norway visit
Houthi militia launch missile attacks on UAE and Saudi Arabia
The UAE air defense forces have intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles targeting the country, the Ministry of Defense announced...The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed that there were no casualties resulting from the attack
However, the attack in Saudi Arabia led to two expatriates sustaining minor injuries
Palestine minister holds first meet with Israel foreign minister
This was the first such encounter between the Jewish state's current foreign minister and a Palestinian official. The Israeli foreign...In late December, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz hosted talks with Mahmud Abbas on the latter’s first visit to Israel since 2010
At that time, Israel's defense ministry announced ‘confidence-building measures’ with the Palestinian Authority
