Middle East

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Syrian conflict

Displaced Palestinians gather to collect portions of cooked food at a charity distribution in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip in May. Photo: TNS

Israel-Gaza war

UN declares Gaza famine over, but ‘situation remains critical’

Meanwhile, Oxfam says hunger in Gaza remains ‘appalling and preventable’, accusing Israel of blocking aid from humanitarian agencies.

45 minutes ago

No contact with Iran Nobel winner laureate arrest, supporters say

15 Dec 2025 - 10:06AM

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu accuses Australia’s PM of inaction in tackling antisemitism

15 Dec 2025 - 2:41AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel says it killed Hamas weapons chief in Gaza

PM Netanyahu said arms production head Raad Saad was ‘one of the architects’ of the October 7 attack that sparked the war.

14 Dec 2025 - 11:03AM

A car destroyed in an Israeli strike is seen on Saturday near the Nablusi junction in the Gaza City area. Photo: EPA

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

This is the first attack on American service members to inflict casualties since the fall of Assad a year ago.

14 Dec 2025 - 3:41AMvideocam

Iran seizes foreign oil tanker suspected of smuggling fuel

Semi-official media cited few details but the news comes days after the US intercepted a tanker off Venezuela allegedly linked to Tehran.

13 Dec 2025 - 9:03PMvideocam

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Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in Washington last month. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

‘My future is paralysed’: Gaza amputees desperate to walk again

The World Health Organization estimates there are some 5,000 to 6,000 amputees from the Israel-Gaza war, 25 per cent of them children.

13 Dec 2025 - 3:08PMvideocam

Iran detains Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi in ‘brutal’ arrest

The activist’s brother says she was beaten on the legs, held by her hair and ‘dragged down’ by security forces personnel.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:18AM

Coins in sand: how the UAE draws in the global crypto community

At Abu Dhabi Finance Week, insiders give credit to the UAE’s regulatory infrastructure and institutional adoption of digital assets.

12 Dec 2025 - 9:00AM

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, started regulating cryptocurrencies in 2018. Photo: Shutterstock

‘May he rest in peace’: remains of last Thai hostage in Gaza repatriated

Sudthisak Rinthalak’s remains returned to Thailand after being held in Gaza since 2023, allowing his family to perform funeral rites.

10 Dec 2025 - 6:57PM

A farewell ceremony was held at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Tuesday for Sudthisak Rinthalak before his body was flown back to Thailand for burial. Photo: AP

War and conflict

RSF says Israel killed highest number of journalists again this year

Reporters without Borders says the number of journalists killed reached 67 globally.

10 Dec 2025 - 10:28AM

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Despite progress, sectarian violence and Kurdish tensions persist as President Ahmed al-Sharaa pushes toward future elections.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:44AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump UN envoy, EU chief in Jordan to discuss Gaza aid as Israel eyes next phase

Diplomatic visits to Jordan came as Israeli PM Netanyahu says the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire could begin soon.

8 Dec 2025 - 4:04PM

Destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel: Qatar PM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says Qatar and fellow truce guarantors are ‘getting together’ to advance the next phase of the deal.

6 Dec 2025 - 9:52PM

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Friday. Photo: AP

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

5 Dec 2025 - 3:22PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

5 Dec 2025 - 2:21PM

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Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:58AM

Houthi fighters participate in a rally marking the second anniversary of the attacks carried by Hamas against Israel, in Sana’a, Yemen in October. Photo: EPA

Israel-Gaza war

Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

The handover of the final two deceased hostages is an important condition of the first part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

4 Dec 2025 - 3:56AM

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct civilian talks in decades

Talks were held days after the first anniversary of the start of the fragile truce between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

4 Dec 2025 - 1:15PM

Saudi adviser lauds parallels with Singapore in modernisation efforts

Mohammed Khalid Alyahya cites the late Singaporean leader’s pragmatic and results-driven governance as a template for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions.

2 Dec 2025 - 9:16PM

The Riyadh city centre from the terrace of the Al Faisaliah Tower. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2023 aims to diversify the country’s economy into a global, modern powerhouse. Photo: dpa/Getty Images

‘No calm in Beirut’ as more Israeli strikes expected after Hezbollah ultimatum

Israel’s ultimatum to Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah by New Year’s Eve is more about political pressure than an invasion plan, analysts say.

2 Dec 2025 - 5:20PMvideocam

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Sejoud on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:07PM

Israel’s Netanyahu seeks presidential pardon in corruption cases

The Israeli leader, who was indicted in 2019 on corruption charges, has long denied allegations against him.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:02PM

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

1 Dec 2025 - 1:09AM

Pope Leo XIV and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun shake hands as they meet at the Presidential Palace during Leo’s first apostolic journey, in Baabda, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

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