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The UN’s office in Ukraine announced on Wednesday that its partners are seeking $358.4 million to provide heating assistance, shelter repairs, health care, protection and food and cash assistance to Ukrainians this coming winter.“Last winter showed…
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The UN’s office in Ukraine announced on Wednesday that its partners are seeking $358.4 million to…
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The UN’s office in Ukraine announced on Wednesday that its partners are seeking $358.4 million to provide heating assistance,…
Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted US intelligence analysts to investigate whether Russia assisted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, said four people familiar with US intelligence.These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, said US intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities. But they cited the strikes’ effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia’s broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.Reuters and other media have reported – and US officials have acknowledged – that Russia has provided targeting and other support for Iran in its strikes on US targets in the Gulf region generally, but the intelligence community’s investigation of possible Russian involvement in supporting the CIA facility attacks has not been previously disclosed. At least two CIA sites were struck in March, Reuters and other outlets have reported. One of the facilities was the CIA station in Saudi Arabia, which is located in the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, and a separate site was located in eastern Iraq. Some of the sources said additional CIA sites had been hit, but they did not disclose details.One internal memo from a Western intelligence agency, described by an official in the region with access to the document, concluded Russia has likely played a role in targeting regional CIA facilities. The official discussed the memo on condition that its precise authorship not be disclosed.Two Western officials in the Gulf who were briefed on intelligence reports said analysts thought the Saudi attack involved a pair of Russian-enhanced versions of Iran’s Shahed drones. One of the aircraft blew a hole through a vulnerable part of the embassy’s exterior and the second flew through the opening and detonated, they said. No deaths or injuries were reported. While Russian assistance for Iran is longstanding, given the countries’ close ties, specific targeting of sensitive CIA sites would indicate Moscow is willing to go further in disrupting US operations as Washington struggles to bring the Iran war to an end. Concerns that Russia could be providing targeting data to Iran intensified this weekend after strikes on a US air base in Jordan, where Iran struck army barracks with ballistic missiles, killing two soldiers.The White House referred a request for comment to the CIA, which declined to provide one.Iran’s mission to the UN, the Russian Defence Ministry and the Saudi government did not respond to requests for comment.The two Western officials in the region said Russia has helped Iran improve its Shahed drones’ ability to reach targets, and said analysts suspected that Iran used these versions in its strike in Riyadh.Russia, said a separate source, has helped Tehran improve the accuracy of its Shahed-136s by supplying a satellite navigation system – the Kometa-M – that experts say is far more accurate and harder to jam than the one produced by Iran.The Wall Street Journal first reported in March that Russia has provided the Kometa-M to Iran. The Kremlin denied the report, calling it “fake news.”CIA facilities overseas include the agency’s main offices in individual countries that traditionally are housed in embassies and are called stations. Additionally, the CIA maintains offices, safe houses, logistics hubs and sites involved in surveillance or other operations.The locations of those sites are closely guarded secrets.The sources declined to disclose the exact number or locations of CIA facilities hit by Iranian drones. One source put the number at “more than one and fewer than a dozen.” A second source said several facilities were hit.US intelligence analysts have been looking into whether Iran relied on Russian targeting data for the embassy attack, said the sources.Doubts remain, however. Some of the sources warned that Iran could have been aiming for the US embassy generally and by chance struck the CIA station.Some analysts have concluded that few nations beyond Russia would have the means to acquire and the interest in weaponising such sensitive targeting intelligence against the US, according to the sources.Daniel Hoffman, a former CIA station chief and undercover operations officer, said it would not be surprising for Moscow to help Tehran target CIA facilities given their close strategic partnership.”They share an interest in trying to reduce or eliminate US influence altogether in their self-designated spheres of influence,” he said. Related Story Source link
Tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders in western North America, after days of heavy rain forced rivers to burst their banks.Storms have battered Washington state in the US and British Columbia over the Canadian border for several days, with rivers continuing to rise.People living south of Seattle and Tacoma have been told to leave their homes, with aerial photographs showing farmland already under water, and populated areas perilously close. A sign warning drivers about flood water is partially covered by water in an area flooded by…
Jordan booked a berth in the FIFA Arab Cup semi-finals as they edged Iraq 1-0 at the Education City Stadium. Ali Olwan’s first-half penalty proved the difference in front of 40,000 fans in Al Rayyan, as he maintained a remarkable record of scoring from the spot in each of Jordan’s four matches at the tournament.Later at the Al Bayt Stadium, the United Arab Emirates dumped defending champions Algeria 7-6 on penalties, after the match had ended 1-1 in both regulation and extra time.Two years ago, Jordan and Iraq clashed at the start of the knockout stage at a major tournament in Qatar, as the Nashama edged the Lions of Mesopotamia in the round of 16 at the Asian Cup.This time, also at the Education City, it was Jordan once again who won by a single goal, with Olwan scoring for the fourth straight match. His goal came late in an opening half that produced almost no other chances of note, despite Jordan having the better of the play. They did, however, lose star forward Yazan al-Naimat to an early knee injury.After the break, Iraq’s talisman Ali Jasim began to see much more of the ball and his team looked far better for it. Twice the dazzling winger came close midway through the half — first with a rasping effort from distance, then with a driven shot — both producing smart saves from Yazeed Abulaila.Jordan’s Mohannad Abu Taha, who has already scored one spectacular long-range effort at the tournament, came close to producing another late on as Jordan saw out the narrow win to book a last-four date with Saudi Arabia.Meanwhile, the UAE qualified for the semi-finals after a thrilling win over Algeria. Neither team showed much desire in the first half to assert dominance, with a cagey, low-quality opening 45 minutes producing few chances. The UAE focused on tightening their defensive line and maintaining discipline, while the referee disallowed a second Algerian goal for offside in the 44th minute.The second half brought signs of change as Adel Boulbina put Algeria ahead early, following up a shot from Youssef Brahimi that rebounded off the UAE goalkeeper’s hands and slotting it home to the right of the keeper.The UAE pushed forward, increasing their pressure on the Algerian defence in search of an equaliser, and they succeeded in restoring parity through Bruno in the 64th minute. He converted a pass from Caio, finishing with his left foot into the Algerian net.Neither side managed to break the deadlock in extra time, despite Algeria’s advantage, sending the match to penalties, where the UAE prevailed to set up a semi-final meeting with Morocco. Source link
Pakistan International School Qatar (Pisq) announced the remarkable success of two charity initiatives — the Girls’ Wing Bake Sale and the Cambridge Wing Bake Sale — organised to support the mission of the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS).The events highlighted the values of empathy, compassion, leadership, and social responsibility deeply rooted within the Pisq community, a statement said.The Girls’ Wing hosted a charity bake sale, led by the students of Grades 11 and 12 under the supervision of vice principal and biology teacher Nishat Wajid.The students prepared an impressive range of homemade baked items, showcasing not only their culinary creativity but also their commitment to serving humanity. Students from Grades 5-12 participated by purchasing items and contributing generously.The proceeds collected from the event will be donated to QCS, reaffirming Pisq’s dedication to charitable causes. The Girls’ Wing thanked Pisq principal Ch Muhammad Afzal, for his constant encouragement and for providing students with the opportunity to lead impactful community service initiatives.In another inspiring act of generosity, the Cambridge Wing of Pisq organised a charity bake sale to support QCS. Spearheaded by the Cambridge Students’ Council, the event demonstrated exceptional leadership, discipline, and community spirit. Nearly 50 students took part by preparing homemade items, managing stalls, and motivating their peers to support the cause.The bake sale was held under the guidance of vice principal Aliya Ejaz. Teachers assisted the students throughout the planning and implementation stages. All collected funds were formally handed over to QCS, contributing to their vital work in cancer awareness, patient support, and community health initiatives. Source link
On 14–15 December, the Suadi capital will host the Alliance’s 11th Global Forum, bringing together governments, civil society,…
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