Middle East
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CONFLICT / Hezbollah losses strengthen Turkey against Iran: analysts
Israel’s onslaught against Hezbollah in Lebanon is reassuring for Turkey, which could seize the opportunity to strengthen its regional influence in the face of its rival Iran, analysts told AFP.
Iranian strike shows capability for greater scale
The Iranian ballistic missile attack against Israel on Tuesday was larger, more complex and involved more advanced weapons than the strikes in April, experts say, putting greater stress on missile defences and allowing more warheads to get through.
Iran says attack on Israel is over as fears grow of wider conflict
"Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation," Iranian foreign minister said in a post on X early on Wednesday.
Iran confirms firing 200 missiles at Israel: state TV
Iran fired 200 missiles at Israel, state TV reported Wednesday, a barrage that Israel vowed to make Tehran "pay" for
Israeli airstrikes kill 37 in Gaza
Israeli airstrikes killed at least 37 people in Gaza yesterday, Palestinian medics said and fighting ramped up, as the Israeli military said it had been targeting command centres used by Hamas members.
Israeli troops invade southern Lebanon
Israel’s elite units launched limited ground raids into southern Lebanon yesterday, as arch-foe Hezbollah fired missiles at Tel Aviv, with the US warning it had indications Iran may be preparing to enter the fray with a ballistic missile attack on Israel.
Iran fires 180 missiles at Israel
Iran launched around 180 missiles at Israel last night in response to the killings of Tehran-backed militant leaders, prompting alarm across the region and vows of retaliation.
ISRAEL’S INCURSION INTO LEBANON / US out of step as world reacts to offensive
The United States appeared out of step with the rest of the globe as it pledged its support for Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon.
Can Guterres’s use of UN’s Article 99 bring peace?
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, in a rare move on Wednesday aimed at formally warning the Security Council of the global threat from Israel’s war on Gaza.
350 killed as Israel pounds south Gaza
Heavy urban combat raged in and around Gaza’s biggest cities yesterday as the bloodiest ever war between Israel and Hamas entered its third month since October 7.
World needs to focus on phasing out coal: UAE
The world needs to focus on phasing out coal, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said yesterday on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.
Fighting rages on in southern Gaza
Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hamas in southern Gaza yesterday after reaching the heart of the city of Khan Younis, forcing Palestinian civilians to seek refuge elsewhere as the number of safe areas decreases.
UN climate chief slams ‘posturing’ at COP28 talks
UN climate chief Simon Stiell accused nations of “posturing” at the COP28 talks in Dubai yesterday and urged them to reach an ambitious deal to ensure the world meets its targets against global warming.
COP28 pledge to cut cooling emissions
The United States, Canada and Kenya were among 63 countries to join a pledge on Tuesday to deeply cut cooling-related emissions at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai.
‘Loss and damage’ fund could threaten adaptation cash
Government pledges for climate adaptation at the COP28 summit have fallen far short of the target, with officials warning that resources to build resilience to wilder weather and rising seas could be diverted into a new “loss and damage” fund instead.
‘They beat us day and night’
Released under a prisoner-hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, former Palestinian detainees have described beatings, deprivation and a radical deterioration in conditions in Israeli jails following Israel’s Gaza offensive on October 7.
‘Even more hellish scenario’ looms
A UN official warned that “an even more hellish scenario” looms in Gaza as Israeli forces stormed the main city in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday and hospitals struggled to cope with scores of Palestinian dead and wounded.
COP28 fossil fuel battle hardens
Battle lines on fossil fuels hardened at UN climate talks yesterday despite scientists warning that global warming could breach the 1.5C threshold within seven years.