Hamas, Israel prisoner swap advances as talks for ceasefire’s next phase loom
Israeli authorities received four hostage bodies from Hamas, while Palestinian prisoners were welcomed in Ramallah, as ceasefire negotiations involving Egypt,...Geostrategy
Iran’s Khamenei: US plan to displace Gazans ‘will go nowhere’
Tehran, Iran - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday dismissed a proposal by the United States to displace Palestinians...Geostrategy
Turkish women fearful after treaty exit
Turkish women feel more vulnerable and legally unprotected since Turkey withdrew from a convention that activists argued helped deter male...The landmark Istanbul Convention came into force in 2014 and laid the way for a Europe-wide legal framework to tackle, prevent and prosecute violence against women
Turkey abruptly withdrew in March following a decree by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Yemen war will have killed 377,000 by year’s end: UN
Most of those killed by the war's indirect effects were "young children who are especially vulnerable to under- and malnutrition."Most of those killed by the war's indirect effects were "young children who are especially vulnerable to under- and malnutrition."
A Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in early 2015 to shore up the government after Iran-backed Huthi fighters seized the capital Sanaa months before
Biden invites around 110 countries to virtual summit on democracy
Among the countries of the Middle East, only Israel and Iraq will take place in the online conference, scheduled for...Among the countries of the Middle East, only Israel and Iraq will take place in the online conference, scheduled for December 9-10
In Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria and Niger are among the countries on the list
AFESD signs $33m deal to fund water and electricity project in Bahrain
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) signed a deal worth KD ten million ($33 million) with Bahrain...Bahrain moving ahead with advancing economic development, Finance Minister Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa said.
The project will contribute to maintaining the service provided by the Electricity and Water Authority.
Iraqi delegation to visit Geneva, discuss country’s WTO accession
Iraq is making efforts towards joining the World Trade Organization and its Minister of Trade will visit Geneva to discuss...The delegation is likely to reach an agreement with European trade ministers.
Iraq needs to pass laws and legislation on many topics, including the economy and customs, a trade ministry spokesman said.
UK apology over Gulf War ‘human shields’ flight
Passengers on BA flight 149 were taken off the Kuala Lumpur-bound plane when it landed in the Gulf state on...Some of the 367 passengers and crew spent more than four months in captivity, including as human shields at the hands of the Iraqi dictator.
The former hostages have long sought answers about what the government in London knew and when.
98 candidates register for Libya’s presidential poll
Among the most notable hopefuls are Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, the son of slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi, and Khalifa Haftar, leader...Also in the running are former interior minister Fathi Bashagha and Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah of the interim, UN-brokered Government of National Unity.
There are only two women contestants: Laila Ben Khalifa, 46, the president of the National Movement party, and Hunayda al-Mahdi, a researcher in the social sciences.
UAE announces updated procedures for entry through border crossings
The UAE has announced updated procedures for citizens of neighboring countries and those living in border areas, who are repeatedly...GCC citizens need to present a negative PCR test that does not exceed 14 days.
The non-vaccinated persons must present a negative PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before the date of arrival.
Qatar Fund for Development donates $10m for vaccination in poor countries
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a five-year agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and donated $10 million between...The money will be used to increase access to vaccination in low-income countries.
The Fund will work with the Vaccine Alliance to ensure vaccination for yet-to-be-vaccinated children.
King Abdullah arrives in UAE, accorded warm welcome
King Abdullah of Jordan, accompanied by his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, arrived in the UAE on a state visit.He was received at Al Bateen Executive Airport by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
Among other dignitaries who received the king were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad
