ISRAEL, HAMAS CLOSE TO REACHING ‘SMALL’ CEASE-FIRE DEAL: SOURCES

Mon 09 December 2024: Israel and Hamas are close to reaching a “small” cease-fire deal, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported Sunday, citing political sources. The broadcasting authority quoted the unnamed Israeli sources as saying that the two sides are close to finalizing a deal that would include a two-month cease-fire. The deal would also involve […]

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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS NEW $988M US MILITARY AID PACKAGE FOR UKRAINE

Mon 09 December 2024: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced that the United States will provide nearly $1bn in additional military aid to war-torn Ukraine, as it attempts to fend off an ongoing Russian invasion. In unveiling the aid package on Saturday, Austin offered some pointed remarks aimed at the incoming administration of US […]

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AL-ASSAD IN RUSSIA AS MOSCOW SEEKS ASSURANCES FROM SYRIAN OPPOSITION

Sun 08 December 2024: The former president al-Assad and his family have received political asylum from the Kremlin for “humanitarian reasons”. When the uprising began at the end of November there were reports that al-Assad and his family flew to Russia, and that al-Assad asked Moscow to help him militarily. But back then Moscow neither […]

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SOUTH KOREA’S EX-DEFENSE MINISTER ARRESTED OVER HIS ROLE IN BOTCHED MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION

Sun 08 December 2024: South Korea’s former defense minister was taken into custody early Sunday for his role in last week’s martial law declaration, which plunged the country into a deepening political crisis. Kim Yong-hyun had already resigned after the short-lived martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk-yeol, which was lifted within hours after parliament […]

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TRUMP CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE UKRAINE CEASEFIRE

Sun 08 December 2024: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end “the madness”, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky and the Kremlin to list their conditions. Trump made his comments just hours after meeting Zelenskiy in Paris for their first face-to-face talks since Trump won last […]

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ISRAEL GREENLIGHTS ‘OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE PLANS’ IN RESPONSE TO DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA

Sun 08 December 2024: The Israeli military announced Saturday that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi approved “offensive and defensive plans” to address “any potential threats” from Syria in light of the developments in that country. Halevi held an assessment session with military leaders on the situation in Syria, during which he approved the plans to […]

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ISRAELI ARMY DEPLOYS ADDITIONAL FORCES ON BORDER WITH SYRIA, SCENE OF CIVIL WAR CLASHES

Sat 07 December 2024: The Israeli army announced on Saturday that it has decided to deploy additional forces along its border with Syria in response to recent advances made by anti-regime groups in Syria’s civil war. In a statement, the Israeli army said: “Following an assessment of the situation, it was decided to call up […]

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QATAR RESUMES GAZA CEASE-FIRE MEDIATION AFTER MONTH-LONG PAUSE

Sat 07 December 2024: Qatar has recommitted to its role in mediating the Gaza cease-fire negotiations, as announced by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during the opening of the 22nd Doha Forum on Saturday. This move comes after Qatar had suspended its mediation efforts nearly a month ago, citing […]

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