UN envoy warns Syria conflict persists as rebels seek international ties post-Assad ouster
The UN migration chief expressed concerns about large-scale refugee returns destabilizing Syria further, particularly affecting religious minorities who fled violence...Geostrategy
US contacts Syria’s HTS, Turkey reopens embassy, as Assad allies Iran and Russia face setbacks
The United States said Saturday it had made contact with Syria's victorious Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels, despite previously designating the...Geostrategy
Israeli negotiators to arrive in Qatar for hostage talks
According to local media reports, the country's war cabinet endorsed the decision to dispatch negotiators to Qatar to continue talks...A top Israeli official said there is room to "move toward an agreement"
Nearly 250 hostages were taken by Hamas fighters, of whom 130 are still in Gaza
Jordan, Oman chambers eye enhancing trade ties, cooperation
AMMAN, JORDAN – Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday discussed enhanced cooperation...Participants stressed the need to seize economic opportunities in Jordan and Oman. .
The two sides agreed to forge robust commercial relations and remove hindrances.
British lawmaker suspended over ‘Islamophobic’ comments
London, UK - Britain's ruling Conservatives on Saturday suspended their former deputy chairman from the parliamentary party, after he refused to...Pressure had been growing on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Tories to act following lawmaker Lee Anderson's contentious remarks.
On the right-wing GB News channel, Anderson claimed Islamists had "got control" of Khan, who was the first Muslim mayor of London.
UAE to provide US$10m grant to support WTO initiatives, says foreign minister
ABU DHABI, UAE – Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced that the UAE...Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed expressed pride that the UAE is hosting the WTO’s MC13, the organization’s highest decision-making body, from February 26-29.
He welcomed all leaders and representatives of the 166 member states to Abu Dhabi for crucial negotiations on key trade issues and discussions.
Gazans suffer from hunger, displacement as war rages
Palestinian Territories - At the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Abu Gibril was so desperate for food to feed...The World Food Program said its teams reported "unprecedented levels of desperation" while the UN warned that 2.2 million people were on the brink of famine.
On Friday, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said a two-month-old baby died of malnutrition in hospital in Gaza City, seven kilometers away from Jabalia.
Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza as truce talks continue in Paris
The negotiations come after a plan for a post-war Gaza unveiled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew criticism from...Hamas said on Saturday morning that Israeli forces had launched over 70 strikes on civilian homes in Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis and Rafah.
An Israeli air strike on Friday destroyed the Gaza home of well-known Palestinian comedian Mahmoud Zuaiter, killing at least 23 people.
NORAD fighters intercept high-altitude balloon over US
WASHINGTON, US – A small balloon floating at a high altitude over the US state of Utah was intercepted by fighter...The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "also determined the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety," according to NORAD.
An unnamed US official told CBS News the balloon had a cube-shaped box about two feet long on each side hanging below it.
Pakistan greenlights construction of long-awaited Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
Tehran, Iran - Pakistan has decided to link the gas pipeline from the country's Gwadar port city to the Iranian...According to Pakistani media, the country will expedite the project, which faced significant delays, in two phases
Iran had previously given Pakistan a 180-day deadline until September 2024 to start completion of the pipe-laying work
US downs three Houthi drones, strikes anti-ship missiles
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping for months and their attacks have persisted despite repeated American and British strikes...CENTCOM said US forces destroyed "seven Iranian-backed Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch towards the Red Sea."
US Central Command said those strikes , carried out between 12:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Sanaa time, were made in self-defense
US warns of environmental disaster from cargo ship hit by Houthi rebels
The attack on the Rubymar represents the most significant damage yet to be inflicted on a commercial ship since the...Rubymar, British-registered and Lebanese-operated cargo ship was damaged in a Sunday missile strike claimed by the Houthis
US Central Command said the ship is anchored but slowly taking on water and has left an 18 mile oil slick
