Middle East

Russian president sends letter to new Syrian leadership

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter to his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, voicing his support for endeavours to restore stability and security in the country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated.

Germany reopens its diplomatic mission in Syria after 13-year closure

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopened Berlin's embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday after a 13-year closure.

Israeli troops resume Gaza ground operation, seize part of Netzarim Corridor

Israeli forces have resumed ground operations in the besieged Gaza Strip, reclaiming control of a key land corridor while continuing a wide-ranging bombardment of the besieged enclave as a truce with Hamas collapsed.

Trump calls on Iran to stop aiding Houthis

US President Donald Trump has stressed that Iran must completely halt any assistance it is supplying to Yemen's Houthi group, vowing to destroy it. Iran has repeatedly denied such allegations.

Palestinian Mahmoud Khalil calls himself ‘Political prisoner’ over US arrest

Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student who the administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking to deport for his role in pro-Palestinian protests, has called himself a “political prisoner”, in his first direct comments since detention.

EU, others pledge over $6bn to Syria in post al-Assad donor drive

The European Union has hosted a donor drive for Syria to encourage a peaceful transition following the fall of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

Over 400, including children, killed as Israel ends Gaza ceasefire

Israel unleashed a ferocious wave of attacks on the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians, in a unilateral end of its ceasefire accord with Hamas.

Trump threatens to hold Iran ‘responsible’ for Yemen’s Houthi attacks

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to hold Iran responsible for any attacks carried out by the Houthi fighters in Yemen, in an escalation of his pressure campaign against Tehran.

Omani top diplomat: Talks with Iran FM Araghchi ‘productive’

Oman's Foreign Minister announced that he had a productive meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Muscat.

American protesters demand release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

Demonstrators gathered Saturday outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Washington, DC to demand the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil -- a green card holder and recent Columbia University graduate who helped organize campus protests last year.

UN chief urges global action against rising ‘anti-Muslim bigotry’

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over “a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry”, calling on governments to protect religious freedom and for online platforms to curb hate speech.

US weighs travel ban on dozens of countries, including Iran

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo seen by Reuters.

US detains second student over pro-Palestinian protests

The administration of US President Donald Trump has arrested a second student demonstrator and set a deadline for Columbia University, one of the most prestigious campuses in the United States, to cede control of one of its academic departments.

Official: Iraq to continue importing electricity from Iran despite US restrictions

The CEO of Iran’s Tavanir Company has announced that Iraq will continue importing electricity from Iran based on a bilateral agreement between the two countries, despite the US decision to revoke Iraq’s exemption for importing Iranian electricity.

Columbia University expels, suspends and revokes degrees of several students

Columbia University leadership made a series of concessions to the Donald Trump administration following an extraordinary letter that listed nine demands it expected the university to make if it did not want its federal funding to be pulled.

Over 800 extrajudicial killings documented in Syria violence: Report

The recent surge in violence in coastal Syria has resulted in more than 800 extrajudicial killings, a war monitor has announced in a new report.

US threatens to slash federal funding to 60 universities

The US Department of Education (DOE) has sent letters to 60 universities, warning them of "potential enforcement actions" if they fail to "protect" Jewish students on campus.

Gaza war behind record high US anti-Muslim incidents: Report

Discrimination and attacks against American Muslims and Arabs rose by 7.4% in 2024 due to heightened Islamophobia caused by U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza and the resulting college campus protests, according to a report by a Muslim advocacy group on Tuesday.

Negotiations only way to save Israeli captives’ lives: Hamas

The Palestinian movement Hamas stressed that Israel’s threats to restart war on the Gaza Strip are futile, saying ceasefire talks are the only way for Tel Aviv to save the lives of its captives.

Kurds to merge with Syrian state institutions in landmark agreement

Syria’s interim government announced it has reached a landmark deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate the group into state institutions.

US arrests pro-Gaza student leader at Columbia University

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) have detained a Palestinian graduate student who played a prominent role in last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at New York’s Columbia University, the student workers’ union has announced.

Hundreds killed as Syria forces battle Assad loyalists

Intense battles between Syrian transitional government troops and fighters loyal to removed leader Basher al-Assad continue in northwestern Syria. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been reportedLy killed in the deadliest violence since Assad’s fall last year.

European states welcome Arab League’s plan for reconstruction of Gaza

The UK, France, Italy, and Germany have welcomed the Arab League's reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip.

Israel repeating Gaza scenario in West Bank: UN

A high-ranking United Nations human rights official warns that Tel Aviv has turned the West Bank into the scene of the atrocities that it has been committing as part of its war against the Gaza Strip.

Tension erupts between US, Israel over Washington’s direct talks with Hamas: Report

Tensions have erupted between Israel and the administration of President Donald Trump over US talks with Hamas, culminating in a heated phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide and a senior American official, according to a report on Friday.

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