International

Web Desk — A state of emergency was declared in Israel as major Israeli government websites went down in what appeared to be a strong cyberattack.  According to Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, the websites of the interior, health, justice, and welfare ministries and the prime minister’s office were hacked in the cyberattack. Israel’s cyber protection agency said, “In the past …

Web Desk — Russia shelled a mosque in Mariupol housing at least 80 civilians, including Turkish citizens, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said on Saturday. Russian invaders shelled the mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Roxolana (Hurrem Sultan) in Mariupol, the foreign ministry said in a tweet. “There are more than 80 adults and children hiding from the …

Web Desk — British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has called on the entire G7 to ban Russia oil imports, saying the world’s leading economies should “go further and faster” in punishing Moscow for invading Ukraine. Standing alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Truss also appreciated the transatlantic unity against Russian aggression, saying the strength of the alliance has “surprised” …

Web Desk — Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, in the first visit by an Israeli head of state to Turkey since 2008. The two countries are seeking to mend fractured relations.  Israel and Turkey are both acting as mediators between Kyiv and Moscow during Herzog’s visit, which was planned weeks …

Web Desk — Following the lifting of COVID-19-related precautionary, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has provided a number of interpreters inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah.  Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Humaidi, the undersecretary for languages and translation, said the service was part of efforts to offer top-quality facilities to mosque visitors. The government is keen …

Web Desk — Russian authorities continue to arrest protesters and block independent news outlets as the war against Ukraine rages on. On Friday, Putin signed a bill into law that criminalizes the intentional spreading of what Moscow deems to be “fake” reports. Anyone convicted would face up to 15 years in prison. A 32-year old Vladislav Slepyshev has flown to …

Web Desk — After failing to meet some of the additional criteria, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is likely to keep Pakistan on its gray list for another four months. The government of Pakistan now aims to complete the 2021 action plan on anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing (AML/CFT) by the end of January 2023. Pakistan is on the …

Web Desk — While we discuss Saudi Israel relations, the recent statement of Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) does not shock us that he sees Israel as a “potential ally” with shared interests, not as an enemy – provided that Israel resolves its conflict with the Palestinians first. In an interview with The Atlantic, published by …

Web Desk — As a result of the Russian aggression, Ukraine has received both moral and economic support from all over the world. Dozens of nations as well as scores of anonymous crypto traders are ready to help the Ukrainians.  According to research from a blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, along with conventional military aid, Ukraine has received more than $40 million …

Web Desk — The European Union cut off Swift payments to seven Russian banks and banned Kremlin-controlled media outlets RT and Sputnik from broadcasting in the EU. The measures, which took effect immediately, ratcheted up the sanctions coordinated by the West against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. In a statement, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said that three …