Asia International

Qatar-US: Aljazeera America to wind down due to financial reasons

Cable news network Al Jazeera America announced Wednesday it is due to shut down its operations in America because of financial reasons. The network said it would stop operating by April 30, less than three years after it was launched in 2013 by Qatar-based global media group to bring unbiased news and rival main stream […]

Asia International

Israel closes gate to Swedish FM over criticism

Israel announced Wednesday it will not receive Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom in view of her harsh comments on Israel’s disproportionate and extra-judicial killing of Palestinians during the recent spate of violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely Wednesday indicated that Swedish officials are not welcome in Israel. “Israel is closing […]

Asia International

KSA-Morocco: Former Saudi veteran envoy to Rabat re-appointed

Riyadh has re-appointed its former envoy to Morocco Abdelaziz Khouja as the new Saudi ambassador to the North African country, a move described by analysts as meant to consolidate further Saudi-Moroccan alliance amid Saudi-Iranian diplomatic turmoil. Abdelaziz Khouja known as an expert of Morocco has been confirmed by Riyadh last Monday, January 11, as the […]

Asia International

Turkey: Several killed in explosion in Sultanahmet square

A bomb blast rocked Tuesday morning the Turkish largest city of Istanbul killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 at the city’s historic square of Sultanahmet, early reports say. The blast was confirmed by the Istanbul government official website. According to reports, the blast occurred at around 10:15 local time near Obelisk of Theodosius […]

Asia International

Turkey: “We were instructed to bomb state institutions”, arrested IS militants reveal

Two IS militants confessed to Turkish security forces they received orders to bomb government buildings including the Turkish parliament and courthouses, reports say. Turkish Cumhuriyet daily quoting security sources indicated that the two IS militants known as Musa Canöz (28) and Adnan Yıldırım (40) arrested on December 30, revealed that they were instructed by a […]

Asia International

Palestine-: UN’s envoy for human right in occupied territories resigns, Israel takes the blame

UN’s expert of human rights in occupied Palestinian territories has resigned Monday over Israel’s refusal to grant access to occupied areas, reports say. “The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Makarim Wibisono, today submitted his resignation to the President of the Human Rights Council, effective as of […]

Asia International

International: Russia offers mediation to end KSA & Iran showdown

Russian Foreign Ministry Monday offered its mediation to help Gulf rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran end diplomatic spat caused by Riyadh’s execution of Saudi Shia cleric followed by assaults on two Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic missions in Iran. “We ask… Tehran, Riyadh and other Gulf countries to show restraint,” the ministry said in a statement before […]

Asia International

KSA-Iran: Riyadh cuts ties with Teheran

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir Sunday announced the suspension of diplomatic ties between the two gulf regional rivals following the attack on the Saudi diplomatic mission in Teheran over the execution of Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi top diplomat told reporters at a news conference that all Iranian diplomats have been asked to […]

Asia International

Palestine-Greece: Abbas to receive Greek parliament support

Greek Parliament is expected Monday to recognise the Palestinian statehood in a vote said to be attended by Palestinian leader on a two-day state visit, reports say. Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the Greek capital on Sunday and will meet with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday and is expected to […]

Asia International

KSA-Morocco: 34-strong-Saudi-led coalition to take on terrorism, Morocco key player

Saudi Arabia Monday announced creation of an Islamic coalition of made 34 countries to wage war against terrorism with Morocco emerging as regional tiger, reports say. The announcement was made by Saudi Defense Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, son of Saudi Monarch Salman. The new coalition according to the minister will include Jordan, United Arab Emirates, […]