Eurasia

Russian convoy continues road towards Ukraine

A massive Russian “humanitarian” convoy closed in on Ukraine’s border today despite doubts over whether the trucks would be allowed across, and as deadly fighting rocked rebel-held strongholds. The nearly 300 vehicles headed towards southeastern Ukraine, even as intense shelling there in the insurgent bastions of Donetsk and Lugansk ~ …

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Iraqi troops battle Sunni militants in west Baghdad

Clashes between Iraqi troops and Sunni militants west of Baghdad killed at least four children today as the United Nations announced its highest level of emergency for the Arab country’s humanitarian crisis in the wake of the onslaught by the extremist Islamic State group. Since their blitz offensive in June, …

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Russia sends aid convoy to eastern Ukraine, West warns against military purpose of transport

A Russian convoy carrying food, water and other aid set off yesterday for eastern Ukraine, where government forces are closing in on pro-Russian rebels, but Kiev said it would not allow the vehicles to cross onto its territory. Kiev and Western governments warned Moscow against any attempt to turn the …

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Turkey welcomes Iraqi effort to form government

The Turkish government welcomed Tuesday Iraq’s advancement to the phase of forming a government. Iraqi President Fuad Massoum’s commissioning to form a government in the country is “an important and positive step,” Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement, wishing Massoum success during this “difficult task,”

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Egypt looks for new funds for Suez Canal

Ministers of planning, finance and investment discussed on Monday alternative funding sources for the new Suez Canal project in a joint meeting with the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority. The new channel, part of a larger project to expand port and shipping facilities around the canal, aims to raise …

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Tunisia rejects foreign intervention on Libyan territory

Tunisia refuses any foreign intervention in Libya, Foreign Affairs Minister Mongi Hamdi said Monday at the opening of the Annual Conference of Heads of Diplomatic Missions. He expressed wish that all Libyans would reach an internal political solution preserving sovereignty of the Libyan territory.

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Shelling resumes in Libyan capital

Heavy shelling resumed in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Sunday after three days of relative calm following more than a month of street fighting between rival armed factions battling for control of the city’s airport. The North African OPEC oil producer is facing the worst violence since the 2011 war …

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Maliki calls on Iraqi security forces not to intervene in political crisis

Iraq’s outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered security forces not to intervene in the political crisis over who will form the next government. “I want you to stay away from the political crisis and to carry out your security duties to protect the country. Do not intervene and let the …

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Russia, Egypt pledge to expand cooperation

Russia and Egypt pledged Tuesday to expand cooperation in various spheres as top leaders of the countries met in Sochi. After talks with visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- Sisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that the Customs Union, a trade bloc grouping Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, was mulling …

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