Fears of US veto loom large on eve of UN Security Council vote on Gaza ceasefire call

Fears of US veto loom large on eve of UN Security Council vote on Gaza ceasefire call

  • Saudi envoy expresses hope the US will allow adoption on Friday of resolution drafted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the UN’s Arab Group of nations
  • An 8-member ministerial delegation, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Washington on Thursday in attempt to rally US support for the resolution
By Ephrem Kossaify ·

Update Saudi crown prince reveals urban plan and branding for Qiddiya City megaproject video

Saudi crown prince reveals urban plan and branding for Qiddiya City megaproject

  • He says the city aims to be the foremost global destination for entertainment, sports and culture, and to boost the Kingdom’s economic growth, international standing and strategic position
  • Qiddiya’s branding adopts ‘play’ as its main concept, based on research showing this to be vital for cognitive development, emotional expression, social skills, creativity and health
By Arab News ·

Update US criticizes Israel on Gaza civilian toll as UN to hear ceasefire demand

US criticizes Israel on Gaza civilian toll as UN to hear ceasefire demand

  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: ‘It remains imperative that Israel put a premium on civilian protection’
  • ‘And there does remain a gap between... the intent to protect civilians and the actual results that we’re seeing on the ground’
By Reuters ·

Palestinian Authority working with US on postwar plan for Gaza — Bloomberg News

Palestinian Authority working with US on postwar plan for Gaza — Bloomberg News

  • Hamas militant group which controls Gaza to become a junior partner under the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
  • More than 17,170 Palestinians have been killed and 46,000 wounded since Israel began bombarding Gaza
By Reuters ·

Chinese fighters, weather balloon cross Taiwan Strait a month before election

Chinese fighters, weather balloon cross Taiwan Strait a month before election

  • Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary polls on January 13 and campaigning has kicked into high gear
By Reuters ·

Blinken welcomes Israel probe on reporters killed, wounded in Lebanon

Blinken welcomes Israel probe on reporters killed, wounded in Lebanon

  • Jointly conducted with Airwars, an NGO that investigates attacks on civilians in conflict situations, the investigation found that the attack involved a 120-mm tank shell only used by the Israeli army in this region
By AFP - Reuters ·

Blinken welcomes Israel probe on reporters killed, wounded in Lebanon

Blinken welcomes Israel probe on reporters killed, wounded in Lebanon

  • Jointly conducted with Airwars, an NGO that investigates attacks on civilians in conflict situations, the investigation found that the attack involved a 120-mm tank shell only used by the Israeli army in this region
By AFP - Reuters ·

James fuels Lakers to set up NBA Cup final showdown with Pacers

James fuels Lakers to set up NBA Cup final showdown with Pacers

  • Four-time NBA champion James said the Lakers won’t let it distract from the long-term goal of capping his 21st NBA season with another title come June
  • The tournament has been a coming-out party for Haliburton and the Pacers, who came into Thursday’s game averaging more than 128 points per game
By AFP ·