Government is taking decisive steps to address the recent spate of armed robberies and other security breaches in the country. These measures include greater collaboration between the security agencies in order to aid intelligence gathering and crime prevention, while manpower challenges are being addressed. The general public has therefore been urged to play a watchdog … Read more
Government is taking decisive steps to address the recent spate of armed robberies and other security breaches in the country. These measures include greater collaboration between the security agencies in order to aid intelligence gathering and crime prevention, while manpower challenges are being addressed. The general public has therefore been urged to play a watchdog … Read more
Iran and Iraq on Sunday signed deals aimed at boosting military cooperation during a visit by Baghdad’s Defence Minister Irfan al-Hayali to Tehran. In a memorandum of understanding signed by Hayali and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Dehghan, the neighbours agreed on a “wide range of military and defence cooperation” including the “fight against terrorism and … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issued a decree Thursday setting up a new security agency for the oil-rich kingdom which will be overseen by him directly, the SPA news agency said. The new agency, which will be headed by intelligence chief General Abdel Aziz bin Mohammed al-Houeiriny, would manage several departments of the interior ministry, the … Read more
Trump and Putin had another, undisclosed conversation at G20 US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, had another, previously undisclosed conversation at this month’s G20, the White House has confirmed. They spoke towards the end of a formal dinner but the White House has not revealed what was discussed. President Trump has … Read more
Germany has delayed signing a deal with Israel advancing the sale of three submarines, an Israeli official said Tuesday as a corruption probe into the affair gained momentum. Germany and Israel were set to sign a memorandum of understanding over the sale in Berlin next week, Israeli media reported. A source in Israel’s National Security … Read more
Israeli police have arrested seven people this week over an alleged corruption scandal involving a submarine deal with Germany which reportedly involves people close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “As part of the ongoing investigation being carried out by the national crimes and investigation unit this morning another suspect was arrested and is being questioned,” … Read more
Iraqi forces fought to eliminate the last pockets of Islamic State group resistance in Mosul on Monday after the premier visited the devastated city to congratulate troops on securing victory. With the jihadists surrounded in a sliver of territory in Mosul’s Old City, attention was turning to the huge task of rebuilding the city and … Read more
Iran has congratulated Iraq on its declared victory over the Islamic State jihadist group in Mosul and offered its help to rebuild the devastated country. “Congratulations to brave people and Government of Iraq upon liberation of Mosul,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote late Sunday in a tweet. “When Iraqis join hands, no limits to … Read more
Closer ties between Saudi Arabia and US President Donald Trump’s administration helped pave the way for a succession shake-up making a 31-year-old prince the kingdom’s de facto ruler, analysts say. On Wednesday King Salman, 81, named his son Mohammed bin Salman crown prince and heir to the throne after firing Mohammed bin Nayef, whose counter-terrorism … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s king has appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince – replacing his nephew, Mohammed bin Nayef, as first in line to the throne. King Salman’s decree also means Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 31, will become deputy prime minister while continuing as defence minister. Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, has been removed … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s hard-charging Mohammed bin Salman, named crown prince on Wednesday, holds unusual power for a man of just 31, so much so that diplomats nickname him “Mr Everything”. The son of King Salman has risen to become Saudi Arabia’s most influential and prominent figure since being named second-in-line to the throne in early 2015. … Read more
Iran denounced Donald Trump’s reaction to deadly Islamic State group attacks in Tehran as “repugnant” on Thursday after the US president warned the nation is reaping what it sows. Thirteen people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the attacks on Tehran’s parliament complex and the shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on … Read more
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile Monday morning that landed in the ocean, the US military said. South Korea and Japan immediately protested the missile launch, the most recent test-firing by North Korea as it seeks to develop nuclear weapons that can reach US military bases. The missile was fired at 5:39 a.m. local … Read more
North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Monday, the South’s military and Japan said, a move that ratcheted up tensions over the North’s quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States. The test is the latest launch by Pyongyang this year as the isolated regime steps up efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic … Read more
North Korea Sunday test-fired a ballistic missile which travelled some 500 km, just a week after a previous launch sparked international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions. South Korea’s new President Moon Jae-In called a National Security Council meeting in response to the latest launch, Yonhap news agency reported. The South’s Joint Chiefs of … Read more
President Hassan Rouhani, who won re-election on Saturday, has spent three decades at the heart of Iran’s revolutionary establishment but still faces opposition from hardliners for trying to rebuild ties with the West. The 68-year-old cleric, almost always clad in his white turban, repeated his convincing 2013 victory by bringing together moderates and reformists with … Read more
Most US presidents make their first foreign trip an easy-peasy one-day hop to visit friendly neighbors in Canada or Mexico, but not Donald Trump. On Friday the 70-year-old president will go “yuge” — embarking on an eight-day six-stop behemoth trip that would test an experienced administration and may push his already weary staff to breaking … Read more
President Hassan Rouhani has spent three decades at the heart of Iran’s revolutionary establishment but is strongly opposed by hardliners for trying to rebuild ties with the West. The 68-year-old cleric, almost always clad in his white turban, won a surprisingly convincing victory in 2013 by bringing together moderates and reformists with his vows to … Read more
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s official website has been hit by an “organised” cyber-attack from Russia, his administration has said. It said it was Russia’s response to Mr Poroshenko’s decree banning some of Russia’s biggest social media networks and net services popular in Ukraine. Kiev provided no evidence of Russia’s involvement in the attack. There was … Read more