UN envoy warns Syria conflict not over yet
United Nations' special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, referring to fighting between the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and...Geostrategy
Israel approves plan aiming to double annexed Golan population, Saudi calls it ‘sabotage’ of Syria
The occupied Golan is home to about 23,000 Druze Arabs, whose presence predates the occupation and most of whom retain...Geostrategy
Attack on Rafah would be ‘nail in coffin’ of Gaza aid: UN chief
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Antonio Guterres said that Gaza's southernmost city, where more than 1.4...UN chief lamented that despite his urgent calls for the UN Security Council to take all measures to "end the bloodshed in Gaza and prevent escalation", it had failed to act
The comments of UN chief came after Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated that his country was intent on a ground invasion in Rafah, in its bid for "total victory" over Hamas
Qatar ruler to arrive in Paris for discussions on Gaza
The gas-rich country has emerged as the key player in mediation between Israel and Hamas to agree a truce in...It will be his first state visit to France since he became emir of the hugely influential emirate in 2013
The discussions between the two leaders will focus on "ongoing efforts to obtain a ceasefire in Gaza"
US airman dead after self-immolating outside Israeli embassy
The shocking act was an escalation of recent protests across the United States against Israel's actions in Gaza. Washington last...US media reported that the man livestreamed himself on Twitch, wearing fatigues and declaring he will "not be complicit in genocide" before dousing himself in liquid
The man lit himself on fire while yelling "Free Palestine!" until he fell on the ground, he was transported to hospital with "critical life threatening injuries", officials said
Gaza deal won’t affect Israel’s Hizbollah fight: Gallant
Negotiations have been underway to strike a possible deal for Hamas to release hostages and pause the fighting in the...Gallant said he would assess how Israel was combating increased Hizbollah activity
10 Israeli soldiers and six civilians have been killed in the north since October 7
WTO launches US$50m fund for women entrepreneurs in developing countries
ABU DHABI, UAE - The director general of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Sunday launched a $50 million fund...The director general of WTO said the "ground-breaking initiative... embodies our collective commitment to empower women".
The fund will help businesses run by women in developing countries to adopt digital technologies and increase their online presence.
Body of Israeli soldier killed in Hamas attack held in Gaza, say campaigners
JERUSALEM - An Israeli soldier seized by Hamas fighters during their October 7 attack was killed the same day and...During the October 7 attack, Palestinian fighters abducted around 250 Israelis and foreigners to the Gaza Strip.
Around 130 are still held captive there. This includes 31 who are believed dead, among them six soldiers.
Hawkish economic approach on China has bipartisan support in US, say analysts
WASHINGTON, US - In a shift from tit-for-tat tariffs and strong-arm tactics to tech restrictions and investment curbs, US policy towards...Despite differences between Democrats and Republicans, analysts expect Washington's approach to Beijing will only become tougher.
Biden has largely maintained Trump-era tariffs, rolled out export control restrictions to curtail China's ability to buy and make certain high-end chips.
Trump notches up another win in race for Republican nomination
Trump completed a sweep of the first four major nominating contests, converting a year of blockbuster polls into a likely...US president Joe Biden reacted to the South Carolina result with a brief written statement warning Americans of "the threat Donald Trump poses to US future"
Trump had won Iowa by 30 points and New Hampshire by 10, while a dispute in Nevada led to the real estate tycoon running unopposed in the first official contest in western US
G7 vows more Russia sanctions after virtual talks on Ukraine
In a statement after the meeting, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also attended, the leaders vowed to "raise the cost"...G7 expressed concern about the transfer by Chinese businesses of weapon components
The group demanded that Russia "fully clarify the circumstances" around the death of Alexei Navalny
US and UK launch fresh strikes against Houthis
The new wave of strikes "specifically targeted 18 Houthi targets across eight locations in Yemen" including weapons storage facilities, attack...The US also carried out unilateral strikes against Houthi positions and weaponry in Yemen
The operation comes after several merchant vessels were struck this week in the region
