Friday, December 19, 2025

Media Wire

UN $32mn in cash arrives in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Central Bank has announced that the United Nations’ batch of $32 million in cash arrived in Kabul on Tuesday.

3 Palestinians shot dead by Israeli soldiers in WB

Israeli forces opened fire on Tuesday at a car in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, killing three Palestinians.

Fajr Intl. Music Festival to be held in Tehran

The 37th Fajr International Music Festival will kick off on February 11 in the Iranian capital Tehran, hosting artists from Italy, Germany, Afghanistan and Egypt along with Iranian musicians.

Report: US plans to incite forces against Syria, Iran, Russia targets

US intelligence agencies plan to direct extremists in Damascus and Latakia to target Syrian security forces, as well as Iranian military advisers and Russian military personnel, Moscow has revealed.

Republican US senators threaten to thwart deal with Iran

A group of 33 Republican senators have warned US President Joe Biden that they would work to thwart implementation of any new Iran nuclear agreement if his government did not allow Congress to review and vote on its terms.

US says deal with Iran ‘in sight’

The United States has announced a nuclear deal was possible with Iran but that an agreement had to be completed urgently as Tehran advances its capabilities. Iran’s foreign minister has already said Tehran seeks a good and prompt agreement in the Vienna talks.

Russia: Final document on restoration of JCPOA drafted

Russia’s top negotiator Mikhail Ulyanov has warned against reckless steps that can undermine the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He says a final document on the restoration of the Iran nuclear deal has already been drafted.

Iraq parliament delays selection of new president

Iraq's parliament on Monday indefinitely postponed a scheduled vote for the selection of country's president after most major political blocs boycotted the session.

Report: Israeli police hack phones of Netanyahu’s son, govt. officials

Israeli police used Pegasus spyware to hack phones of dozens of prominent Israelis – including a son of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – activists and senior government officials, according to an Israeli newspaper.

Russia: Nuclear talks at final stage, determination required

Nuclear talks will resume in Vienna on Tuesday, and the negotiations seem to be at the final stage, a Russia diplomat says.

Taliban reject UN report over Al-Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan

The Taliban have rejected as baseless a report by the United Nations saying Al-Qaeda fighters are operating freely in Afghanistan.

German chancellor: Reaching a deal depends on Iran;Tehran rejects idea

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says making an agreement in Austria over Iran’s nuclear programe depends on Tehran. Germany is among the signatories to the Iran nuclear deal that did not live up to their commitments under the JCPOA.

Israeli PM discusses Iran, Russia with Biden

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held a phone call with US President Joe Biden and discussed a range of issues including Iran and Russia-Ukraine tensions.

Biden Iran envoy says returning to Vienna in hope of saving JCPOA

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley on Sunday said he would soon return to Austria’s capital for the next round of negotiations aimed at salvaging the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, insisting it could still be revived.

US General in UAE to bolster defenses amid Yemen attacks

US General Frank McKenzie arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for talks on efforts to bolster the Persian Gulf state's defenses after a series of missile and drone attacks launched by Yemeni troops.

Iraqi court suspends Hoshyar Zebari’s presidential bid

Iraq’s federal court on Sunday decided to suspend the nomination of the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) candidate for the Iraqi presidency, Hoshyar Zebari.

Iran sends more humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Iran has dispatched another batch of much needed humanitarian aid to the needy people of Afghanistan.

COMSTECH awards two Iranian scholars

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Cooperation (COMSTECH) of the OIC has awarded two Iranian scholars as the winners of COMSTECH Lifetime Achievement Award in Chemistry 2021 and COMSTECH Award for Best Scientific Book.

Diplomats say African Union suspends debate on Israel’s status

The African Union has suspended a debate on whether to withdraw Israel's accreditation, avoiding a vote that risked creating an unprecedented rift in the 55-member bloc, diplomats said on Sunday.

EU eases sanctions on Afghanistan

European Union has eased its sanctions against Afghanistan to let humanitarian aid into the country. Afghanistan is going through a humanitarian crisis and over half of its population is starving.

Russia says west speculation about invasion of Ukraine ‘madness’

The speculation of Western countries about how many days Kiev can fall in the course of a potential Russian invasion is madness and scaremongering, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Sunday.

Pakistan says killed 20 rebels after deadly attacks

The Pakistani military says it has killed at least 20 rebels in Balochistan Province after two army posts came under attacks in the southwestern region.

EU urges Iran to seize ‘opportunity’ of US sanctions waiver

The European parties to the Iran nuclear negotiations have urged Tehran to seize the “opportunity” of the US sanctions waiver to Iran’s nuclear program.

President Raisi congratulates Italian counterpart on re-election

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi congratulated his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella on his re-election as the president of the European country.

Oscar-winning Farhadi ready for awards season with ‘A Hero’

Two time Academy Award winner Asghar Farhadi, an Iranian director, is prepared to enjoy awards season this time around if his shortlisted film "A Hero" makes it to the final five when the Oscar nominations are announced next week.

Latest news