Iran says nuclear talks ‘difficult but useful’, US ‘encouraged’
Iran and the United States wrapped up nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday with no apparent breakthrough in a public...Geostrategy
Syria’s Sharaa meets Bahrain king on Gulf trip
Manama, Bahrain - Bahrain's King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa on Sunday welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Bahraini state media...Geostrategy
Israel strikes town south of Damascus: Syrian state media
This is the second Israeli aerial strike on Syria this month, after the Jewish state targeted anti-aircraft batteries on February...This is the second Israeli aerial strike on Syria this month, after the Jewish state targeted anti-aircraft batteries on February 9
"The shelling targeted a regime military post," Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP
UAE and Turkey to cooperate in agriculture, rural development
The pact is in line with the UAE’s leadership to enhance international cooperation and exchange of successful experiences.Areas of cooperation include agricultural pest control and plant protection, organic agriculture, technology-based agricultural production, food safety, food production.
The two countries will also collaborate in the promotion of joint agricultural ventures between their private sectors, and development of specialized agricultural zones.
Iran calls for US ‘political statement’ on nuclear deal
Iran urged the US Congress on Wednesday to issue a "political statement" that Washington will stay committed to a possible...The accord offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, but then US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018.
The talks in the Austrian capital resumed in late November after a pause following the June election of President Ebrahim Raisi.
17 Israelis arrested over attack on Palestinian village in January
Seventeen Israelis have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a racist attack on a Palestinian village in the occupied...Armed with stones, clubs and "other objects", the assailants wounded one Palestinian and vandalized shops, vehicles and property in the village of Hawara.
Human rights groups say that West Bank Palestinians face frequent attacks by Jewish Israelis and that perpetrators often go unpunished.
Kuwaiti defense minister discusses ties with Turkish, Indian envoys
While not verified, the claims by Russia provided some much-needed relief for investors, who had grown increasingly fearful of a...While not verified, the claims by Russia provided some much-needed relief for investors, who had grown increasingly fearful of a conflict in Eastern Europe
Separately, the defense minister received Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Sibi George. The two addressed issues of common interest
France ‘concerned’ as Tunisia’s president extends powers
Last year, the Tunisian president sacked the government, suspended parliament, and seized a range of powers.France's Foreign Minister expressed concern over Tunisian President Kais Saied giving himself sweeping powers over the judiciary
Thousands of Tunisian took to the street on Sunday demanding democracy and an independent judiciary
Russia’s defence minister in Syria for Assad meeting
During a meeting in Damascus, Shoigu "informed the Syrian president about the exercises of the Russian navy in the eastern...During in a meeting in Damascus, Shoigu "informed the Syrian president about the exercises of the Russian navy in the eastern Mediterranean"
Moscow has been a key ally of the Assad regime throughout the Syrian conflict that erupted in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests
Israel PM hails ‘new model’ of ties on Bahrain visit
It was the latest diplomatic breakthrough since several Arab states under the 2020 Abraham Accords ended their isolation of Israel.Naftali Bennett discussed ‘deepening cooperation’ in meetings with the defense and other ministers
He also praised Bahrain's ‘moderate’ leaders who are looking out for ‘the prosperity of their own people’
Taliban declare day of Soviet exit from Afghanistan as holiday
The Taliban on Tuesday declared February 15 a national holiday to mark the anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan...Forty years of conflict has left Afghanistan one of the world's most impoverished nations, and the Taliban's return on August 15 plunged the country deeper into a crisis
Thousands marched through Afghan cities on Tuesday to protest against President Joe Biden's decision last week to seize almost half the country's overseas assets -- about $3.5bn
Israel President to visit Turkey to improve strained relations
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is preparing to visit Turkey, his office said Tuesday, in a rare trip following years of...A presidency statement said that a senior Turkish delegation, including a top aide to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was due in Israel this week
Herzog's office had declined to comment on the prospective visit until Tuesday's statement, which gave no indication of a possible date
