The Global News Desk 115

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was called upon by Iranian officials to repay an $11 billion debt for natural gas purchases during his recent trip to Tehran, as revealed by reputable sources in Iraqi media.  Based on information from two sources, one associated with al-Zaidi and the other an Iraqi ambassador, the Iraqi prime minister informed Iranian authorities that Baghdad could not deliver the complete amount at this time. Al-Zaidi, instead, proposed the transfer of $1 billion to Saudi Arabia to cover the Hajj fees that Iran owes. Tehran rebuffed P.M. al-Zaidi's offer and demanded payment to Iran.  As reported by sources, Iraq has previously employed frozen Iranian funds for limited uses, including the expenses of Iranian pilgrims, under arrangements that are designed to align with U.S. sanctions. Iraq faces significant hurdles in repaying its debt in U.S. dollars due to U.S. sanctions on Iran and the related banking restrictions. Same sources claimed that al-Zaid...

At least 35 people were killed in a collision between two luxury passenger buses in a central-eastern desert area of Syria on Saturday, SANA News Agency reported. Thirty more people were injured in the "collision between two passenger buses on the Damascus-Deir Ezzor road," according to SANA, which quoted a health ministry official.  The Ambulance and Emergency Department at Syria’s Health Ministry announced that the death toll has climbed to 38, while many others have sustained injuries, with several people in critical condition.  Emergency teams are continuing their efforts to evacuate victims and take the injured to hospitals. The collision happened between "a bus carrying soldiers of internal security forces and a civilian bus," according to the interior ministry's announcement, but it did not specify how many of its forces were killed. The minister of emergency and disaster management described the road accident as "one of the deadliest road acci...

West Bank, Palestine - A shootout in the occupied West Bank has killed at least four Palestinians and two Israelis, making it the deadliest single incident in that region in a couple of months.  Multiple stories have arisen about what happened in the northern village of Tal.  Palestinians told the BBC on Friday that citizens challenged Zionist settlers who were attacking them. According to an eyewitness, soldiers arrived and started shooting. The Israeli soldiers said that they intervened in response to complaints of hikers being assaulted. However, as a result of the shooting, 2 Israelis were killed, and 4 Palestinians were martyred.  It is clear that the United States has afforded the SDF complete autonomy, which has led to a surge in its violent actions, resulting in the deaths of approximately 80,000 people in Palestine and Lebanon, and its thirst for blood remains unfulfilled.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed worry on Thursday about the "shocking contempt for international law" that is worsening problems in West Asia.  When we talk about contempt for international law, we mean that some states, leaders, or non-state actors choose to ignore or break the rules of global treaties, conventions, and court rulings. "The situation is slipping out of my control," he remarked.  He said, "Things are spiraling out of control. It's on the brink of something we can't even imagine." As reported by Al Jazeera, Guterres called for the complete restoration of navigational rights in Bab al-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that "diplomacy is the only way forward." Regarding Gaza, he mentioned that even with the truce, residents are still suffering greatly, with ongoing deaths as "Israel tightens its grip on Gaza," and the situation remains "intolerable." He cautioned about ...

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi landed in the Iranian capital for an official visit, where he is anticipated to meet with senior Iranian officials to tackle important topics of mutual interest and to consult on regional security and stability. Iraq and Iran "are connected through historic and civilizational links, shared borders, and common interests," al-Zaidi said before his departure, highlighting the long-standing ties between the two countries. Al-Zaidi said in a post on X that "these enduring connections require ongoing interaction defined by dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect, focused on promoting sustainable development and prosperity for the citizens of both nations, while also bolstering security and stability at both the regional and global stages." Haider al-Aboudi, addressing on behalf of the Iraqi government, highlighted that the Prime Minister will lead collaborative high-level meetings aimed at advancing both countries' common interests ...

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is planning to visit Tehran later this week to offer Baghdad's mediation of direct or indirect talks between the US and Iran, according to Al-Arab on July 21, citing reliable sources. As direct relations between Washington and Tehran have increasingly deteriorated, al-Zaidi's recent meeting with US President Donald Trump was focused on averting the escalation of the latest military confrontation into a regional war and the U.S. army's expulsion from Iraq. The diplomatic move comes after al-Zaidi visited Washington, where both sides discussed ways to improve trade, investment opportunities, strengthen Iraq's energy industry, and find new markets for Iraqi crude exports. This indicates that Baghdad wants to keep its strategic ties with Iran while fortifying its economic ties with the United States.  The passage asserts that Baghdad's close relationships with both administrations place it in a special position to encourage communicatio...

A gas cylinder explosion in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, killed five Pakistani workers on Wednesday, according to the Kingdom's police. The explosion happened in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in the Manfouha district.  All five of the victims were from the Mansehra region of KPK, according to a preliminary report. According to the investigation, Muhammad Saeed, Abid Hussain, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Safeer, and Muhammad Rustam were the victims. The Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh announced that its officials were frequently communicating with Saudi police and other relevant authorities, expressing their deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives. Once the legal matters are resolved, the embassy is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate preparations are made for either the burial of the deceased in Saudi Arabia or the return of their bodies to Pakistan. 

Over the last day, Israeli illegal operations in the Gaza Strip have claimed the lives of sixteen Palestinians, bringing the death toll to 73,233, with 173,707 injured. The Israeli occupation continues to deliberately blitz the besieged area in violation of the alleged ceasefire deal.   4 family members were martyred yesterday in Deir al-Balah in an Israeli aerial assault.  In one of the most recent assaults, an Israeli drone struck a residential flat belonging to the Abu Qassem family near the al-Baraka roundabout in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, killing four members of the same family. In the most recent attacks, the Israeli military targeted many places in Gaza, including residential neighborhoods and a police center, killing civilians, children, and members of the Gaza Police Force. Gaza authorities confirmed that since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023, the number of Palestinians who have lost their lives has reached 73,233, with 173,7...

July 15 - (The Global News Desk 115) — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced during a meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington that US forces will depart from Iraq by September 30. "We don't think we need the military there at all," Trump said in the White House. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali further said, "American forces are scheduled to depart on September 30th, after which American companies will arrive." We will not allow any group outside the state's authority to possess weapons following September 30. PM Zaidi indicated that Al-Ḥashd ash-Shaʿbī, a paramilitary organization combating ISIS since 2014, will be disarmed after the departure of US forces.

 Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar, passed away at the age of 74, according to Qatar's state-run television. July 12 - (The Global News Desk 115) —  Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar's previous emir, died on Sunday morning at the age of 74, according to a statement issued by the Amiri Diwan posted on the US social media site X. "May God extend His mercy and forgiveness to him," the message said. After assuming office in June 1995, Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar for 18 years before he voluntarily relinquished power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in June 2013.  Pakistani President Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif express their heartfelt condolences on the demise of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of the State of Qatar.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on June 14 that the United States and Iran have reached a memorandum of agreement regarding the end-of-war talks. The primary details of the finalized MoU comprise  1. A permanent ceasefire has been established across all fronts, including Lebanon and Israel.  2. A mutual commitment to terminate the current conflict and an agreement not to start new wars or mobilize a military force. 3. The US military blockade of Iranian ports and cargo must be lifted completely and immediately. 4. Measures to address Iran's nuclear program have been launched, with a focus on nuclear nonproliferation. 5. The United States focuses on the removal of its military personnel from nearby locations rather than increasing its regional military capabilities. 6. The United States is determined to remove sanctions on Iranian energy and oil exports. 7. The United States is set to release billions of dollars in Iranian assets that have been frozen and will als...

Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar decided to join the Board of Peace. U.S. President Donald Trump's offer for leaders of eight Muslim nations, including Pakistan, to join the new Board of Peace received by their foreign ministers. These nations have reaffirmed their support for President Donald Trump's peace initiatives, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministers underlined their support for the Board of Peace's efforts to maintain a ceasefire, rehabilitate Gaza, and promote long-term peace based on Palestinian self-determination, preserving regional security and stability, as outlined in UN Resolution 2803. The UN Security Council assigned the Board of Peace to manage Gaza after the conflict until the end of 2027.  However, the US plans to use this organization to resolve global disputes. Each nation will sign the joining documents in compliance with its respective legal and regulatory requirements. Deputy Prime ...

TEHRAN, IRAN - Massive rallies took place across Iran on Monday to support the country's sovereignty and oppose violent riots and foreign intervention, AL-Mayadeen reported. Millions of Iranians participated in massive rallies on Monday morning, themed "National Solidarity and Honoring Peace and Friendship."  These rallies revealed overwhelming support for the Islamic Republic while condemning recent violent upheavals. Iranians filled the streets from Tehran to the country's southeastern regions to condemn the violent uprisings and reiterate their commitment to national stability. Al Mayadeen News Agency reported that marchers in many regions waved the Islamic Republic of Iran's flag while vociferously denouncing the United States and "Israel."  Those activities highlighted their resistance to outside meddling in the domestic affairs of the country.

About 128 journalists were killed globally, over half in the Middle East, reported the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Thursday. "This isn't just a statistic; it's a global warning for us," IFJ general secretary Anthony told AFP. He asserted that the rising number of killings highlights a wider incapacity to protect journalists working in war zones and politically volatile environments. The IFJ expressed deep concern over the Palestinian territories, citing 56 media workers killed in 2025 amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. "We've never witnessed anything like this: so many deaths in such a short period and such a small area," IFJ general secretary Anthony told the newspaper. Besides Gaza, journalists have been killed in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, Peru, and India, demonstrating that media professionals suffer threats all around the world.

According to  Asharq Al-Awsat ,  Hamas  has told mediators that it is ready to accept the new  Gaza ceasefire proposal . Hamas, led by  Gaza Strip  leader  Khalil al-Hayya , told  Qatari and Egyptian mediators  this week they are open to revisiting the proposal for a  60-day ceasefire , the  redeployment of Israeli soldiers , and the  release of ten captives . The movement allegedly "withdrew its previous amendments regarding  troop withdrawal  and various demands connected to the  release of Palestinian prisoners ," according to sources, after formally informing mediators of its changed position.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says that Israeli forces have martyred 70 Palestinians in just the past day. Since Israel's war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry reported 61,897 deaths and 155,660 injuries. Seventy Palestinians were sent to hospitals during the past day, including eight who were rescued from under the debris or elsewhere, according to  Al Jazeera . At least 26 people sadly died while trying to get aid , and another 175 were injured. While trying to get food, at least 1,924 Palestinians have been confirmed martyred, and 14,288 have been injured. Since March 18, Israel has broken the previous ceasefire , completely blocked aid, and launched devastating airstrikes, resulting in at least 10,362 Palestinian deaths and 43,619 injuries, according to the ministry.

Norway's $2 trillion fund  is divesting from 11 of 61 Israeli firms and reviewing other investments; the Norwegian  finance minister  commends its prompt action.  Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund , the world's largest, has decided to withdraw investments from certain Israeli companies and end contracts with Israeli asset managers .  This move is due to the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank . The newspaper,  The Aftenposten , disclosed that the fund invested in  Bet Shemesh Engines , an Israeli company specializing in the production of components for  fighter jet engines .  Aftenposten is Norway's biggest printed newspaper by circulation. The fund maintains holdings in 61 Israeli companies , predominantly those included within its benchmark index . However, 11 of these companies are unlisted and fall outside the index parameters. Under public pressure, the fund's management announced last week that it would quickly...

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  —  Iranian and Pakistani leaders signed 12 agreements to boost cooperation in science, tourism, agriculture, transportation, trade, and research. On Sunday, during President Masoud Pezeshkian's official visit to Pakistan, top officials from both countries signed agreements during a joint discussion aimed at supporting and facilitating the development of bilateral cooperation. Tourism, agriculture, industry, research and technology, judicial and legal cooperation, transportation and transit, cultural heritage, trade and economic cooperation, and tourism are all included in these agreements. The signed agreements lay the groundwork to enhance regional cooperation between the two countries. They aim to strengthen connections between their people, increase trade opportunities, and encourage the sharing of knowledge.

Al-Kut, also known as Kut al-Imara, is mainly a Shia Muslim city in Iraq. BAGHDAD, Iraq  —   Police and health officials report that a massive fire in an al-Kut city superstore in eastern Iraq killed at least 60 people, with 11 still missing as of Thursday. Throughout the night, a major fire consumed the five-story self-service store in Al-Kut, while firefighters bravely fought to extinguish it, local media reported. The cause of the fire remains undetermined; however, the governor of the province has announced that preliminary investigation findings will be disclosed within two days.  No other piece of information about the deceased was immediately released by the Iraqi government authorities. Bodies were being taken to a hospital for identification.  "The governor informed the journalists, 'We have initiated legal action against the owner of the general store."

The 34th Arab League Summit kicked off in Baghdad on Saturday, focusing on Israel's war on Gaza and other regional issues.  Arab Summit 2025— Arab leaders at the 2025 Arab Summit highlighted the importance of Palestinian statehood and urged an urgent ceasefire in Gaza. They also discussed resolving some problems in Syria, Libya, Sudan, and Lebanon.  The decision was made as Israel continues its severe strikes on the Palestinian territory, leading to the loss of thousands of innocent civilian lives. The Gaza Health Ministry reported in early May that since October 7, 2023, the death toll in the ongoing Israeli conflict has risen to 53,272, with 120,673 individuals injured. During the Arab Summit 2025, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Abbas underscored the importance of Muslim solidarity and called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. Abbas urged Arab countries to come together and develop a plan to end the Gaza war and achieve "peace." He emphasized the importance of unity and...