Hamas expresses optimism for Gaza
CNN : Hamas has become the latest party to the Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations to voice optimism about the prospects of reaching a deal, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region.In...
International
Saudi calls Israeli Golan plan ‘sabotage’ of Syria
AFP : Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned as “sabotage” of Syria an Israeli plan to double the population of the occupied and annexed Golan Heights. In a statement, Riyadh’s foreign ministry expressed “condemnation and...
US school shooting claims 2 lives
AFP : A 15-year-old female student was identified by police as the assailant who opened fire Monday at a school in the US state of Wisconsin, where a fellow student and teacher were killed...
China eyes negotiations as Trump threatens tariffs
Reuters : As Donald Trump steps up his tariff threats against China, Beijing is moving to beat the next U.S. president to the punch with its own restrictions and get Washington to the negotiating...
Arab urges support for inclusive, peaceful Syria transition
AFP : Top diplomats from eight Arab countries, meeting in Jordan on Saturday, called for a peaceful transition in Syria with UN and Arab League support following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. In a final statement...
ABC settles $15m defamation suit with Trump
AFP : ABC News will pay a $15 million settlement payment to resolve a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, according to court documents filed Saturday.The lawsuit stemmed from on-air comments made by...
S. Korean opposition urges swift removal of impeached President Yoon
Agency : South Korea’s opposition leader urged a top court on Sunday to swiftly formalise the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and ease the “suffering of the people” after his short-lived martial law...
Indonesia releases five Australians
CNN : The remaining five Australians from the infamous heroin-trafficking “Bali Nine” gang have returned home after Canberra struck a deal with Indonesia to end their two decades of imprisonment overseas.“I am pleased to...
Israel bombards schools, homes in Gaza
Al Jazeera : Israel is still attacking homes and schools across the Gaza Strip, killing and injuring several people just one day after dozens were massacred in a strike on Nuseirat camp.Dawn raids on...
Xi not expected to attend Trump inauguration
BBC : Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to attend the US presidential inauguration in January despite an invitation from Donald Trump, according to two people familiar with the planning.China’s ambassador to the US...
Iran confirms increase in IAEA nuclear inspections
AFP : Iran confirmed Saturday that it has allowed watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to increase the number of inspections it carries out into Tehran’s nuclear programme, state media reported.“We have increased...
2 detained after bomb kills 3 Thai festival
AFP : Authorities in Thailand have arrested two men following a bomb blast at a festival near the border with Myanmar that killed three people and wounded dozens, police said on Saturday. An improvised...