Syria hails US lifting of Assad-era sanctions
The move was formalised Friday after being announced by Trump on a Gulf tour this month during which he shook hands with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa
OPEC+ sticks to modest oil output increase despite Western pressure
The 13 members of the Saudi-led OPEC and 10 countries spearheaded by Russia backed an increase of 432,000 barrels per day in May, marginally higher than in previous months.Fighting rages in Ukraine, US says Putin being ‘misled’
Citing US intelligence, White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said "he felt misled by the Russian military."Hackers steal over $600m in major crypto heist
Sky Mavis, maker of battle and trading game Axie Infinity, discovered the security breach on Tuesday, March 23, after a user was unable to withdraw the cryptocurrency ether, according to the company.US Special Envoy for Yemen to visit Gulf for conflict resolution
US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking will travel to the Gulf starting March 28 to continue leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to advance a durable resolution to the conflict in Yemen and bring immediate relief to the people of Yemen, US State Department said in a statement. Yemenis deserve a...Ukraine retakes Kyiv suburb, as negotiations for peace resume
Ukrainian troops "liberated" the suburban town of Irpin, Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky said, wresting a key gateway to the capital's northwest from Russian control, even as its negotiators prepared to meet Russian counterparts for face-to-face talks in Istanbul on Tuesday.Two Israeli police killed in attack claimed by Islamic State group
Two police officers were shot dead in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group in the northern Israeli city of Hadera late Sunday as top US and Arab diplomats visited the Jewish state for an unprecedented regional meeting, authorities said. Police said the two gunmen -- Israeli Arabs identified...Iran hits back at US criticism over arms display at Qatar show
Iran on Sunday said it has the "right" to showcase its military equipment, after it was criticized by the US for displaying military hardware at a Qatar defense show. "Iran, like any other country, has the right (…) to upgrade its defense capabilities or to display these products... in friendly...US top diplomat in Israel for landmark Arab talks
According to US officials, discussion over the nuclear deal with Iran and global wheat shortage caused by the Ukraine war are among the main agenda of this trip of the US Secretary of State.New world order? Pandemic and war rattle globalization
According to a professor at Ghent Institute, the pandemic did not bring radical changes in terms of reshoring but the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will have an impact on investors.In a ‘dangerous’ land: tourists trickle back to Iraq
Retirees and YouTubers, on package tours or lugging backpacks, are braving Iraq's still basic tourist infrastructure to visit ancient sites that rival those of Egypt, Syria and Jordan.Qatar, Saudi Arabia decry lack of attention to Middle East conflicts
As the world talks about the Ukraine crisis, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have called out the world about its reaction to the suffering of a lot of countries in the Middle East.US steps up pressure as Russia continues Ukraine attack
In an impassioned speech from the Royal Castle in Warsaw, delivered after meeting top Ukrainian ministers in Poland and earlier conferring with NATO and EU allies on the conflict, US President Joe Biden plainly warned Russia: ‘Don't even think about moving on one single inch of NATO territory.’Saudi Arabia eases rules for US, UK, and Schengen visa holders
The move comes two weeks after the country lifted all Covid-19-related entry restrictions.EU foreign policy chief sees Iran nuclear deal in days
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday that a new deal on Iran's nuclear program would be sealed within days.US warns of sanctions over Iran presence at Qatar defense show
The US State Department warned of possible sanctions Thursday after Iranian military officials attended a defense show in Qatar and exhibited some of Iran's military hardware. "We are deeply disappointed and troubled by the presence of Iranian military officials and reportedly Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers at the Doha...Israel to host summit with UAE, US, Bahrain, Morocco
Israel said it will host a "historic summit" from Sunday of top diplomats from the United States and three Arab states with which it has normalized ties. A series of diplomatic meetings would be attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from the UAE, Bahrain and...US indicts 4 Russians who targeted energy sector, including Saudi facility
The Russian hackers tried their exploits on thousands of computers at hundreds of companies in 135 countries between 2012 and 2018, which included energy-sector targets such as a US nuclear power operator and a Saudi petrochemical facility, the US Justice Department has said.Blinken to travel to Israel, West Bank, Morocco, Algeria
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Morocco, and Algeria over March 26-30 to discuss the Ukraine war, Israeli-Palestinian relations, the Iran nuclear deal, and gas from Algeria, among other things, the US State Department has announced.UN to again ‘demand’ Russia ‘immediately’ end war in Ukraine
The vote comes after 141 countries approved a previous non-binding resolution on March 2 that similarly demanded that Russia immediately cease the use of force against Ukraine. In that vote, five states, including Russia, voted against and 35 abstained.US less optimistic over reaching Iran nuclear deal
US optimism that a deal to restore the 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear developed has soured, with the State Department warning Tuesday it was headed toward "Plan B" if Tehran doesn't budge. Just a week ago Washington officials were hopeful that an agreement that aimed to halt Iran's march...Ukraine Rejects Putin’s Ultimatum to Surrender Mariupol
The UN has described the humanitarian situation in the city as "extremely dire" with "residents facing a critical and potentially fatal shortage of food, water and medicines."Ukraine urges China to condemn Russia attack
Russia's claim on Saturday to have unleashed its new hypersonic Kinzhal missile would mark a new escalation of its campaign to force Ukraine to abandon hopes of closer ties with the West, even as Volodymyr Zelensky urged Vladimir Putin for presidential-level talks.US says ‘troubled’ by Assad visit to ally UAE
Assad's surprise trip on Friday was his first official visit to an Arab country since civil war erupted in his country in 2011.Iran FM says ‘two issues’ remain with US to restore nuclear deal
Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that two issues remain with the United States in paused negotiations to restore the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.IEA cuts oil demand outlook, fears Russia supply ‘shock’
The International Energy Agency cut its world oil demand forecast for 2022 on Wednesday, warning that sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine could spark a global supply "shock". "Faced with what could turn into the biggest supply crisis in decades, global energy markets are at a crossroads," the...Israel vows not to bypass Russia sanctions as meditation continues
Israel, which maintains close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, has been facing growing criticism from Washington and Kyiv over not imposing sanctions over Russian for invading Ukraine.Deadly strikes rock Ukraine despite talks with Russia
With Russia threatening to take ‘full control’ of several major cities in Ukraine, the fourth round of talks failed to deliver a breakthrough on the 19th day of the invasion, even as the US tried to talk down China from helping its neighbor.Iran says foils sabotage attack on atomic energy agency building
State television said a "sabotage operation against one of the buildings (of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran) was foiled" without causing any casualties or damage.Jordan to receive $1.65bn in US aid in 2022
Jordan has seen several factors affect its economy, such as the conditions brought on by the Covid-19 and the Syrian refuge crises.Iran mocks US failure to stop exports of oil cargo
Iran said that US attempts to seize its tankers and oil cargo had failed to stop exports that are subject to sanctions imposed by its arch foe. US defense officials rejected that account, and said Iranians themselves had seized a tanker before taking it to Iranian waters.Saudi Arabia rescued 2 US women from Houthi rebels in Yemen
The women were evacuated to the Saudi capital Riyadh, where they were met by US officials and received health checks.UAE reaffirms commitment to OPEC+ pact, production adjustments
The United Arab Emirates on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to OPEC+ alliance agreements, a day after an envoy said it would urge the cartel to boost oil output. "The UAE is committed to the OPEC+ agreement and its existing monthly production adjustment mechanism," Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei wrote on Twitter....Iran blames US for working to ‘complicate’ nuclear talks
Iran on Thursday accused the United States of working to "complicate" efforts to restore a 2015 nuclear deal, after new Russian demands linked to its invasion of Ukraine raised concerns of further delays.Russia accuses US of funding biological weapons research in Ukraine
Russia on Thursday accused the US of funding research into the development of biological weapons in Ukraine, as Moscow stepped up its campaign to gain control of key Ukrainian cities. The defense ministry said Washington "planned to carry out research on bird, bat and reptile pathogens".First pig heart transplant patients dies
Following surgery, the transplanted heart had performed very well for several weeks without any signs of rejection.Britain urges all G7 members to ban Russia oil imports
The US has led a Western assault on Russia's economic lifeline by banning imports of oil and gas followed by Canada and a pledge from London.U.S. rejects surprise Poland offer of jets for Ukraine as not ‘tenable’
NATO has already cleared that it does not want direct conflict with Russia and President Joe Biden has ruled out sending U.S. troops into Ukraine to fight.Iran launches military satellite into orbit for reconnaissance
Iran announced Tuesday it had successfully placed a military satellite in orbit, as talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers reach a critical stage. Iran successfully put its first military satellite into orbit in April 2020, drawing a sharp rebuke from Washington.US envoys held energy talks with Venezuela’s Maduro: W.House
The White House said Monday that a US delegation held weekend talks in Venezuela with the government of President Nicolas Maduro that included a discussion of energy supplies as Washington looks for ways to reduce its imports of Russian oil. Venezuela's opposition also said it had met with the high-level...Iran and IAEA sound optimistic on nuclear deal, but Russia demurs
Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday they had agreed an approach for resolving issues crucial to reviving the country's 2015 nuclear accord with world powers -- but new Russian demands may delay a deal. The landmark accord was aimed at guaranteeing Tehran could not develop a nuclear weapon.Russia threatens Ukraine ‘statehood’ as sanctions tighten
Since Russia's invasion 10 days ago, the economic and humanitarian toll of the war has spiraled, sending more than one million people fleeing Ukraine. Officials have reported hundreds of civilians killed.Israel PM meets Putin on Ukraine in ‘risky’ diplomatic move
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first by a foreign leader since the day Russian forces invaded Ukraine last week, and came after Kyiv had asked Israel to launch a dialogue with Moscow.Visa, Master card suspend operation in Russia
The cards would continue to work on Russian territory because all payments in Russia are made through a national system and do not depend on foreign systems.The secretive Taliban leader shows his face
One of the Taliban's most secretive leaders, whose only picture on US "most wanted" lists is a grainy semi-covered profile, was photographed openly for the first time Saturday at a passing-out parade for new Afghan police recruits.Volkswagen plans 2 bn euro electric car plant in Germany
The announcement of the $2.2 billion investment came on the same day Tesla got the green light from local officials to start production at a new plant near Berlin.Russia attack on Ukraine nuclear plant draws global ire
With fears growing of nuclear conflict, the US and Russian armed forces have set up a new direct phone line to reduce the risks of ‘miscalculation’. But Vladimir Putin has been unmoved as Russia has become an economic, sporting, and cultural pariah.US says Iran nuclear deal ‘close’ but not certain
Negotiators meeting in Vienna to try and salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, which is meant to prevent Tehran from acquiring an atomic bomb, have made ‘significant progress,’ US State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters, echoing other nations in recent weeks.UAE and US are facing a stress test: Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba
The UAE and the US are facing a "stress test" in their relationship, a senior Emirati diplomat said Thursday, as Russia's war in Ukraine strains ties. The wealthy Gulf state hosts US troops and has been a strategic partner to Washington for decades.US finds Ericsson disclosures on Iraq graft ‘insufficient’
Sweden's Ericsson said Wednesday that US authorities have found its disclosures about an internal inquiry into its conduct in Iraq, including suspected bribes to the Islamic State group, "insufficient".Boeing halts Russia support
It has stopped its Moscow operations and support for Russian airlines.