Friday, December 19, 2025

Media Wire

Israeli postal company targeted in cyberattack

Israeli media outlets reported on Tuesday that a postal company in Israel has been targeted in a cyberattack.

Saudi forces detain Shia cleric in Medina

Saudi Arabia has reportedly arrested leading Shia cleric Sheikh Kadhim al-Amri in the holy city of Medina, without any charges.

Qatar says working to bring US, Iran views closer

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani says Doha is using its open channels with Washington and Tehran to bring their views closer.

‘Iran oil supertanker discharging 2mln barrels in Venezuela’

An Iranian supertanker carrying about 2 million barrels of condensate began discharging at Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA's main oil port, according to a company document and tanker tracking services.

Amnesty: Israel enforcing ‘apartheid crime’ on Palestinians

Israel is carrying out “the crime of apartheid against Palestinians” and must be held accountable for treating them as “an inferior racial group”, Amnesty International says in a new report.

US says sees path for deal with Iran

The Biden Administration says it sees a path to an agreement in the Vienna talks over the nuclear deal, but Iran must make “tough political decisions now”. Iran has repeatedly rejected any deadline or precondition over the deal, saying the US that unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA must first lift its sanctions against Tehran.

Taliban reject UN report of ex-Afghan officials killings

The Taliban have rejected a UN report alleging that over 100 officials and security forces of the previous Afghan government were killed by the group or its allies after the US withdrawal from the country.

Russia says to retaliate possible UK sanctions

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that UK's plans to target Russia with sanctions are not legitimate. He noted any such aggression will bring about countermeasures from Moscow.

IAEA: Iran moves centrifuge-parts production from Karaj to Isfahan

One month after ending a standoff with the UN nuclear watchdog over re-installing cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop that was hit by sabotage, Iran has moved its production elsewhere, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced in a statement on Monday.

Biden, Qatari emir to discuss Iran, energy

US President Joe Biden and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, will discuss a range of issues including Iran and energy security in the aftermath of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, US officials say.

EU in gas talks with US, Qatar, Azerbaijan amid standoff with Russia

The European Union is negotiating gas supplies with the United States, as well as Qatar, and Azerbaijan, in case Russia decides to cut or stop supplies, High Representative of the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell says.

Syria air defenses repel Israeli attack on Damascus

Syrian air defense units have managed to intercept and bring down a barrage of missiles launched by the Israeli military at various targets in the vicinity of Damascus.

UN: Dozens of ex-Afghan officials purportedly killed since Taliban takeover

The United Nations announced it has received “credible allegations” that more than 100 members of the ousted Afghan government, its security forces and those who worked with international troops have been killed since the Taliban took over on 15 August.

Several blasts heard over Abu Dhabi sky

Several explosions rang out across Abu Dhabi's skies. It comes after Yemen's armed forces said they are about to announce a "large-scale" military operation against the United Arab Emirates.

Syria nabbed US teacher charged with helping Daesh bombers

A US citizen has been captured in Syria and transferred into the custody of the FBI. The woman, believed to be a former teacher, played an active role in helping Daesh terrorists train women and children as suicide bombers in the war-torn country.

Source: US mercenary behind Baghdad airport attack

Iraqi intelligence forces took into custody the perpetrator of a recent rocket attack on the Baghdad International Airport compound, who confessed to his affiliation with the United States.

Report: Israel grappling with lack of medical staff, equipment

Thousands of doctors and nurses in Israel are either in isolation or sick with the coronavirus and other respiratory diseases, according to reprots. The Israel Association of Hospital Directors has been requesting that the government allocate more people and equipment to cope with the rising challenge but their demands have largely fallen on deaf ears.

Afghan girl robotics team secure second place in Intl. competition

Afghanistan’s all-girls robotic team, known as the Afghan Dreamers", came in second place out of 88 countries in the “PCBe the Change” world competition sponsored by Upverter Education, Ardunio and the IPC Education Foundation.

Russia says not threatening Ukraine

 A top Russian security official says Moscow is in no way threatening Ukraine, adding all allegations by the US authorities in this regard are total absurdity, Russian  

Israeli president begins first visit to UAE

Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday on the first such visit, his office announced. He is seeking to strengthen Persian Gulf ties at a time of heightened regional tension as the world powers are trying to revive a nuclear deal with Iran.

Four rockets strike US military base in Syria

Four rockets have hit a US military camp in the city of al-Shaddadi in the Syrian province of al-Hasakah. It is the latest in a series of attacks that have targeted US forces over the past few months in the region.

Iran and S. Korea set for talks next month over frozen assets

South Korea and Iran plan to hold working-level consultations next month in Seoul to discuss ways to untangle years-long disputes over Tehran's assets frozen under US sanctions, an informed source says.

US cancels military aid for Egypt over rights concerns

The US has announced that it is canceling $130 million in military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns. The move comes just days after Washingto approved a $2.5 billion arms sale to Cairo.

Iraqi sources say Baghdad airport hit by rockets

Six rockets were fired at the airport of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, causing damage but no casualties, security sources confirm.

Iran and Russia demand withdrawal of foreign troops from Syria

Iran and Russia have called for the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Syria. Tehran and Moscow have argued that the latest spate of deadly violence in Hasakah Province is the upshot of illegal presence of occupation troops, particularly Americans.

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