Latest in Region Highlight
Latest in Region
December meeting on Syria ‘premature’: Russian FM
Terrorist groups must be distinguished from other opposition forces before negotiations can begin, says Curkin
Israeli envoy to discuss Egypt’s compensation of natural gas in Cairo
Talks on gas imports were suspended after the Swiss court’s decision to fine Egypt $1.7bn to compensate Israeli companies
Saudi Arabia seeks to unify Syrian opposition in Riyadh
Several rebel groups will seek a common position from which to negotiate with the Syrian government
Egypt condemns attack that killed Aden governor
Egypt supports Arab coalition in restoring Yemeni legitimacy: foreign ministry
Saudi Arabia agrees to retry Sri Lankan maid sentenced to death by stoning
A Sri Lankan maid sentenced to death by stoning for adultery in Saudi Arabia has won a retrial, Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister says. All Sri Lankan parties had joined to appeal to Saudi authorities for clemency. Saudi authorities agreed to the retrial of the 45-year-old woman after Sri Lankan diplomats visited her in a …
Yemen to begin week-long ceasefire on December 15
Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has said he intends to implement a temporary truce for seven days beginning December 15. The ceasefire will coincide with UN-sponsored peace talks. “I informed the coalition’s leadership that we intend to start a ceasefire for seven days, from December 15 to 21, in conjunction with the consultations, President …
Pentagon confirms death of senior IS figure in Libya
Airstrike against “Abu Nabil” was conducted on 13 November
Israeli protests against gas plan continue
Netanyahu under fire for unethical practices in pushing for deal with Noble Energy
Shoukry meets with Ethiopian delegation
Both sides express satisfaction on the state of bilateral relations
Putin’s mind games with Turkey
Allah may have stolen the Turkish government’s sanity, but who stole Russian President Putin’s? Fiona Clark looks at the escalating tension between the two countries. If it weren’t enough to accuse the Turkish president’s family of being directly involved in funding terrorism by selling “Islamic State” (IS) oil, Russia’s president has now continued his verbal …
Assad: UK airstrikes in Syria doomed to fail
Britain’s bombing campaign against extremists in Syria is “illegal” and will only cause “terrorism” to spread, President Bashar al-Assad says. The Syrian strongman made the remarks in an interview with The Sunday Times. In remarks published Sunday, Assad ridiculed British Prime Minister David Cameron’s assertion that there are as many as 70,000 opposition fighters in …
IS claims killing of Yemeni governor in car bombing
Five of the governor’s entourage were killed, security sources say
Shoukry and Kerry discuss crises in Syria and Libya
US and Egypt agree on continued talks on regional and global issues
Obama suggests Russia might eventually work with US in ending Syria conflict
President Obama has emphasized the need for a diplomatic response to the ongoing conflict in Syria. He was speaking during the climate talks in Paris, which Russian President Vladimir Putin also attended. Obama expressed optimism about the future of US-Russia collaboration in the ongoing Syrian conflict, suggesting Moscow might eventually shift its position on the …
Al Qaeda’s Syria branch hands hostages back to Lebanon
Al Qaeda’s Syrian branch, the Nusra Front, has released 16 Lebanese policemen and soldiers as part of a prisoner swap. The return of the body of a Lebanese soldier was also part of the deal. Television footage obtained by the Qatar-based Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera on Tuesday showed the Nusra Front release 16 captives. The …
Al-Sisi affirms Egypt’s efforts to establish Palestinian state in meeting with Abbas
Egyptian president highlighted importance of return of Palestinian Authority to Gaza Strip
UNICEF: A generation in ruins as Syria war continues
As Syria approaches five years since the beginning of its civil war, millions of children are dependent on aid. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, about 11,000 children have been killed, according to UNICEF. Nuha is 11 years old and lives in Homs, a city that has been destroyed in Syria’s civil war. …
Russia bans charter flights to Turkey
There will be no food shortage after restrictions on relations with Turkey, says Russian Deputy Prime Minister
Our position towards Jerusalem visit is the same: Coptic Church
The church said its position is “clear, conclusive, and decisive”
Egypt offers to replace Turkish imports banned by Russia
Trade minister requests list of band goods ahead of visit by Russian importers
Two Israelis found guilty over death of Palestinian teen
Two minors have been found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of Palestinian teen Mohammed Abu Khdeir. The third suspect has had his verdict delayed after a last minute insanity plea. A court in Jerusalem convicted two Israelis on Monday over the 2014 death of a Palestinian teenager. The incident, seen as revenge for the …
Egypt supports day of solidarity with Palestinians
Security depends on the creation of the Palestinian state, says FM
Report: Russia strikes kill a dozen civilians in Syria
A Syrian opposition watchdog has reported that airstrikes – allegedly by Russia – have killed and wounded civilians. Russia, a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad, first began airstrikes in Syria in late September. On Sunday, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that airstrikes, “probably Russian,” had killed at least 18 people and …
Turkey receives body of second Russian pilot
Turkey downed a Russian Su-24 aircraft, saying it violated its airspace
New UN envoy to Libya meets Shoukry to discuss political developments
Kobler was appointed on 17 November, replacing Bernardino Leon
Israel to open first diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi
Israel has announced plans to open an office dedicated to renewable energy in the United Arab Emirates. If the plan is carried through, it will serve as the country’s first official representation in the Gulf State. Israeli officials said on Friday that the country plans to open an office dealing with renewable energy in the …
Cameron makes case for UK airstrikes against ‘IS’
British Prime Minister David Cameron wants lawmakers to approve airstrikes against ‘IS’ militants in Syria, reports Samira Shackle from London, and the chances are good that he will get a majority in favor. David Cameron has urged MPs to back UK airstrikes against the self-styled “Islamic State” (IS) in Syria. In a speech to the …
IS claims responsibility for Tunisia explosion
Attack targeted bus carrying members of Tunisian presidential guards, killing at least 12
Egypt condemns Tunisian bus blast killing 12
Suspected suicide bomber targeted presidential guards in major street
Ashraf Fayadh sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia
The Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh has been sentenced to death for apostasy. In the eyes of Saudi authorities, his involvement in the international art scene may have made him suspicious. It was an argument with extreme consequences. Sometime in the summer of 2013, the poet Ashraf Fayadh got into a dispute with a stranger. The …