World

Ukraine: Massive Russian Strikes Target Energy Facilities
Ukraine: Massive Russian Strikes Target Energy Facilities

Ukrainian energy facilities were targeted on Friday morning in a "massive" missile attack by Russia, Ukrainian authorities announced, as Moscow continues its regular bombardment of such infrastructure, causing power outages across the country during the harsh winter season. Ukraine is also struggling on the front line, retreating for months in ...

Blinken in Turkey: Call to Continue the Fight Against ISIS in Syria After Assad's Fall
Blinken in Turkey: Call to Continue the Fight Against ISIS in Syria After Assad's Fall

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Friday that it is "imperative" to continue working against ISIS in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, during a visit to Ankara, the Turkish capital. "Our country has worked very hard (...) to ensure the elimination of ISIS's territorial caliphate, to ensure that this threat does not ...

The Order of Malta Lebanon Highlights Commitment to Humanitarian Relief at Berlin Event
The Order of Malta Lebanon Highlights Commitment to Humanitarian Relief at Berlin Event

The State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia hosted a high-profile event on Thursday evening to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and explore pathways for reconstruction and sustainable economic development, with the participation of Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock. Lebanon, a country deeply affected by ...

The Israeli Army Urged to Remain in the Syrian Buffer Zone Throughout the Winter
The Israeli Army Urged to Remain in the Syrian Buffer Zone Throughout the Winter

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday instructed the army to “prepare to stay” throughout the winter in the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, located atop the Golan Heights. Israel captured part of this strategic plateau during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Israel seized control of the demilitarized zone on Sunday, just hours after ...

G7 Leaders to Discuss Syria Crisis in Virtual Summit
G7 Leaders to Discuss Syria Crisis in Virtual Summit

G7 leaders will attempt Friday to forge a common approach to the new government of Syria, which has pledged to protect the rule of law after years of abuses under ousted president Bashar al-Assad. Assad fled Syria after a lightning offensive spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which brought a sudden end to ...

Blinken Meets Turkish Counterpart in Ankara
Blinken Meets Turkish Counterpart in Ankara

Mr. Blinken started his meeting with Mr. Fidan at 9:40 a.m. (6:40 GMT) on Friday, according to a U.S. official. He arrived in the Turkish capital on Thursday evening and held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a lounge at Ankara's airport. "Turkey will never show weakness in the fight against ISIS," President Erdogan told ...

Turkey Appoints Interim Envoy to Syria
Turkey Appoints Interim Envoy to Syria

Turkey has named a new chief-of-mission to its long-closed embassy in Damascus, which it has pledged to reopen following the overthrow of strongman Bashar al-Assad, the Anadolou news agency said Thursday. Burhan Koroglu was named as Turkey's temporary charge d'affaires at its embassy, Anadolou said, quoting foreign ministry sources who did not ...

UN Chief 'Concerned' over 'Extensive Violations' of Syria Sovereignty, Israeli Strikes
UN Chief 'Concerned' over 'Extensive Violations' of Syria Sovereignty, Israeli Strikes

UN chief Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" over "extensive violations" of Syrian sovereignty, and by Israeli strikes on the country, his spokesman said Thursday. Guterres "is deeply concerned by the recent and extensive violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Secretary-General is particularly concerned over the ...

Israel Says Blows Against Iran and its Allies Triggered Regional 'Chain Reaction'
Israel Says Blows Against Iran and its Allies Triggered Regional 'Chain Reaction'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that a series of blows by Israel against arch-foe Iran and its allies had triggered a "chain reaction" poised to transform the entire Middle East. "The historic events that we witness today are a chain reaction," Netanyahu declared in a video address directed at the Iranian people. He ...

Exclusive: Shops Reopen in Damascus, Revival After the Fall of the Regime
VideosExclusive: Shops Reopen in Damascus, Revival After the Fall of the Regime

Commercial activity is picking up vigorously in the central markets of Damascus, where shops have reopened and are once again attracting customers. However, the recovery remains more hesitant in Christian neighborhoods like Bab Touma. Political uncertainty and a fragile economic situation are holding back merchants, who are still reluctant to ...

Loyal no more: Syrians Turn from Once-Omnipotent Baath Party
Loyal no more: Syrians Turn from Once-Omnipotent Baath Party

Maher Semsmieh turned in his rifle on Thursday at an office of Syria's Baath party, more than 60 years after its oppressive rule in Syria began, and days after it ended. "We are no longer Baathists," Semsmieh, 43, said with a smile of relief, four days after Islamist-led rebels toppled the Baathist government of president Bashar al-Assad. "We ...

US Official Sullivan Says 'Got the Sense' Israel PM Ready for Gaza Deal
US Official Sullivan Says 'Got the Sense' Israel PM Ready for Gaza Deal

Visiting US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared prepared to negotiate a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire. "We're now looking to close a hostage release deal and a ceasefire (in Gaza). It's time to finish the job and bring all of the hostages ...