Middle East

UAE Gold Imports from Sudan Rose by 70% in 2024 Despite War
UAE Gold Imports from Sudan Rose by 70% in 2024 Despite War

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased its gold imports from war-stricken Sudan by 70 percent in 2024, a Swiss NGO said on Tuesday, calling the UAE "a global hub for gold of dubious origin." The wealthy oil-producing country imported 29 tonnes of gold from Sudan last year, up from 17 tonnes in 2023, as well as significant quantities ...

Russian Reservists Face Call-Ups as Ukraine Hits Refineries
Russian Reservists Face Call-Ups as Ukraine Hits Refineries

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a law that allows using reservists to guard oil refineries after Ukrainian drone strikes led to gasoline shortages in some regions. Kyiv has been targeting Russian refineries in retribution for Moscow's drone and missile strikes in Ukraine, and in an attempt to cut off energy revenues that ...

Iran: a Regime Trapped in Its Past
VideosIran: a Regime Trapped in Its Past

On November 4, 1979, Islamist students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days. 46 years later, Iran’s regime continues to commemorate this defining episode of the Islamic Republic, portraying it as a symbol of “resistance” against the West.  Since then, the Islamic Republic has lived in ...

The Tricky Creation of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza
The Tricky Creation of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza

Two years after the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, the United States is seeking to establish a new framework for stability in the enclave. On Monday, Washington submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to create an international stabilization force tasked with ensuring security and transitional governance in the Palestinian ...

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney Dies at 84
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney Dies at 84

Former US vice president Dick Cheney has died aged 84, US media reported on Tuesday, citing a statement from his family. Cheney was the 46th vice president, serving under Republican president George W. Bush for two terms between 2001 and 2009. The former congressman and defense secretary "died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac ...

Afghanistan Quake Kills 27, Injures Over 300
Afghanistan Quake Kills 27, Injures Over 300

A strong earthquake killed at least 27 people in northern Afghanistan, authorities said Monday, just months after another deadly tremor that left the country reeling. The 6.3-magnitude quake struck overnight at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles) with the epicenter near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to the US Geological Survey. More than ...

A War Still Without End: Why Russia and Ukraine Remain Locked in Conflict
A War Still Without End: Why Russia and Ukraine Remain Locked in Conflict

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the most significant military conflict in Europe since World War II. The decision was rooted in a blend of political, strategic, and ideological motives that had been building for years. At the core of Moscow’s reasoning was the determination to prevent Ukraine, a ...

PKK Leader Ocalan Urges Progress in Turkish Peace Process
PKK Leader Ocalan Urges Progress in Turkish Peace Process

Imprisoned Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Öcalan called in a message published on Tuesday for all parties to the peace process in Turkey to make genuine efforts to ensure it succeeds. Öcalan, the founder of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), is spearheading efforts to move from a four-decade armed Kurdish rebellion against the Turkish state ...

Sudan Army-Backed Council to Meet on US Truce Proposal
Sudan Army-Backed Council to Meet on US Truce Proposal

Sudan's army-backed authorities will meet on Tuesday to discuss a US proposal for a ceasefire in the war with the paramilitary, a government source told AFP, as the UN chief called for an end to the "nightmare of violence". The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more over the past two years, has ...

Nintendo Hikes Switch 2 Annual Unit Sales Target
Nintendo Hikes Switch 2 Annual Unit Sales Target

Nintendo said Tuesday it aims to sell 19 million Switch 2 consoles within this financial year, up from its previous target of 15 million for the smash-hit gadget. The Switch 2 became the world's fastest-selling games console after launching in June to a frenzy of excitement from fans of "Super Mario" and other top titles. "The hardware has seen ...

U.S. Proposes International Force to Administer and Secure Gaza for Two Years
U.S. Proposes International Force to Administer and Secure Gaza for Two Years

The United States has shared a draft resolution with members of the UN Security Council proposing the creation of an international security force in Gaza for a minimum period of two years, according to a document obtained by Axios. A Broad Mandate Through 2027 The resolution, labeled “Sensitive but Unclassified,” outlines a plan granting the ...

Dominican Republic says Americas Summit Postponed Amid Tension over US Military Deployment
Dominican Republic says Americas Summit Postponed Amid Tension over US Military Deployment

A meeting called the Summit of the Americas has been postponed because of tension in the region, host Dominican Republic said Monday, amid the US military deployment in the Caribbean. Originally due to take place in December, the gathering has been delayed until next year after consultations with countries that had been invited to attend, ...