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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
⭕️ A new Ipsos poll reveals a major global sentiment shift: for the first time ever, more people say China will have a more positive impact on the world than the US.
22,715 people across 29 countries were surveyed.
Syria’s interim president ‘interested’ in joining Abraham Accords
The Israeli army has been bombing Syria relentlessly since the ousting of Assad, and has occupied large swathes of the country’s south
BREAKING | Al-Masirah:
"Six US air raids on the Hodeidah governorate, western Yemen."
⭕️ An exclusive report by Al-Monitor claims Turkiye has cut off electricity exports to Iraq due to more than $70 million in unpaid arrears.
The 300-megawatt power link, which became operational last fall, was halted roughly a week ago as Turkiye's energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar told Iraqi officials that Ankara was “not in the business of charity.”
The stoppage comes just before Iraq’s summer season, when demand for electricity spikes and Baghdad struggles to meet only 60% of its needs.
Iraq is now seeking a line of credit to resume purchases and has also asked both Turkiye and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for more power.
Tensions remain between Baghdad and Ankara over a $1.5 billion arbitration ruling related to Kurdish oil exports via Ceyhan. Turkiye has reportedly asked Iraq to drop a second arbitration case, but Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani claims only parliament can make that decision — a claim Kurdish officials dispute.
❗️Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Oman this evening (Friday) to lead a delegation in the third round of indirect talks with the United States, which are set to take place on Saturday. (IRNA)
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ICC drops dismissal of Israeli objection to arrest warrant against Netanyahu
The court’s Appeals Chamber said its previous decision was an ‘error of law’ and that it failed to address Israel’s entitlement to challenge the ruling
⭕️ China, Russia, and Iran held a joint meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported today.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday with IAEA representatives and the agency’s director general, followed a visit to Beijing by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier in the week.
⭕️ The United States is preparing to present Saudi Arabia with an arms deal exceeding $100 billion. The package is expected to be announced during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.
(Reuters)
❗️The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza:
– "18 hospitals have gone completely out of service in the Strip.”
– "The occupation is deliberately targeting hospitals and health centers.”
– "50% of today’s martyrs are women and children.”
– "350,000 people with chronic illnesses are deprived of healthcare.”
❗️Al-Mayadeen correspondent:
"The explosive drone was launched from the western Homs countryside, and the Lebanese army is sending reinforcements as the sounds of gunfire are heard."
Puntland, a de facto autonomous region of Somalia, operates independently despite nominal federal oversight.
Two Somali sources stated that Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni authorized the radar deployment without consulting Somalia’s federal government or Puntland’s parliament.
A third source with direct knowledge of the arrangement described it as a “secret deal,” adding that even senior Puntland officials—including cabinet members—were unaware of the agreement.
❗️Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told officers in Gaza today that the military will escalate its offensive on the strip if a prisoner exchange deal is not reached soon.
"We are continuing with the operational pressure and tightening the ring around Hamas as needed, and if we see no progress in the the return of the hostages, we will expand our activities to an intense and even more significant move, until we reach the defeat [of Hamas]," Zamir said.
"Hamas is responsible for the start of this war. It now holds the hostages cruelly and is responsible for the difficult state of the population in Gaza. Hamas is mistaken when it comes to our abilities, intentions and determination, just like Nasrallah and his top command," he added.
⭕️ Walla News, citing military sources, reports that the Israeli occupation army has reinforced its military positions in Gaza amid rising concerns over a potential escalation in resistance operations against its forces.
The move follows an ambush last Saturday that killed one Israeli soldier.
Pakistan shuts airspace to India as tensions surge over Kashmir attack
The nuclear-powered neighbors have exchanged escalating measures in response to a terror attack in the Baisaran Valley of Indian-administered Kashmir
Palestinian journalist Saeed Amin Abu Hassanein, his wife, and daughter were killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck their tent in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Abu Hassanein had worked for nearly two decades with Al-Aqsa Radio, specializing in audio engineering and radio mixing.
⭕️ The US military claims that a blast on Sunday near a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site in Yemen's capital city of Sanaa was caused by a Yemeni missile and not an American airstrike.
The US said that the damage was caused by a "Houthi air defense missile" after reviewing "local reports, including videos showing Arabic writing on missile fragments found at the market."
Spain terminates multimillion deal with Israeli weapons maker
Coalition authorities in Madrid have stressed their commitment to 'the Palestinian cause and peace in West Asia'
Palestinians sing chants praising the Qassam Brigades during a funeral in northern Gaza.
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⭕️ During a visit to Moscow on Friday, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced plans to enhance cooperation with Russia in sectors including agriculture and banking. Speaking on state TV, he also said that Iran is set to sign a $4 billion deal with Russian companies for the development of seven Iranian oilfields.
At a January meeting in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia could eventually supply up to 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas annually to Iran, beginning with smaller volumes of up to 2 bcm. That 55 bcm figure would match the capacity of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Europe, which was damaged by explosions in 2022 and has remained inactive since.
⭕️ TotalEnergies has shipped over 126,000 high-efficiency solar panels to Iraq to begin construction of the $820 million Shams Basra solar energy project in the Artawi field, aiming to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity.
Part of a broader $27 billion deal, the project is among Iraq’s largest renewable energy initiatives and will help meet rising demand, especially during peak hours.
The panels arrived alongside 160 containers of equipment, including high- and medium-voltage cables, to support the project’s integration into Basra’s power grid. (Iraqi News)
⭕️ The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to work with Syria to facilitate its return to the global economic system, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement on Thursday.
“Our intention is to, first and foremost, help them rebuild institutions so they can plug themselves in the world economy,” she said.
⭕️ In a statement, Hamas strongly rejected the outcomes of the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) meeting in Ramallah, calling it a major disappointment that deepens national division and ignores the unity and resistance needed amid Israel's ongoing war on Gaza and escalation in the occupied West Bank.
– Criticized the lack of action by official Palestinian institutions to stop the genocide in Gaza and settlement expansion, accusing the meeting of reinforcing unilateralism and disconnect from the Palestinian people's struggle.
– Recalled the widespread boycott of the meeting by key factions like the Popular Front (PFLP), National Initiative (PNI), Democratic Front (DFLP), and independent figures.
– Condemned Mahmoud Abbas’s insults against Palestinian resistance forces during the meeting, calling them inappropriate at a time that demands unity.
– Reaffirmed its call to rebuild the PLO on democratic and national foundations, hold comprehensive elections, and activate a unified leadership framework.
– Stressed the need for leadership that honors the sacrifices of the Palestinian people, not one that collaborates with the occupation or follows foreign agendas.
Gaza Update by RT correspondent Saed Swerki as of Friday, 25 April, 9:30 am
82 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since Thursday morning:
North Gaza (35 killed):
– 32 killed in a strike on a police center and a home sheltering displaced people in Jabalia.
– 3 killed and others injured in a strike on a tent for displaced families at the Safatawi junction west of Jabalia.
Gaza City (28 killed):
– 6 killed in a strike on the al-Sarafiti family home in Sheikh Radwan.
– 2 killed in Wadi al-Arais, Al-Zaytoun neighborhood.
– 5 bodies recovered from a strike on al-Tuffah neighborhood.
– 15 killed in a strike on an apartment in Al-Siddiq Tower, behind Al-Sahaba complex.
South Gaza (12 killed):
– 2 killed in a strike on the al-Najjar family home in Khan Yunis.
– 2 killed in a tent for displaced people in al-Mawasi area, Khan Yunis.
– Abdul Aziz Adel Abu Hani died from wounds after a previous strike on a tent in Khan Yunis.
– Asif al-Najjar killed and others wounded in a strike in Khan Yunis.
– 15-year-old Karam Raed Harb Abu Kawarik killed near al-Nasr Municipality in Rafah.
– 5 people from the Abu Taimeh family, including three children and a pregnant mother, killed near Al-Aqsa University in Khan Yunis:
Central Gaza (7 killed):
– 3 killed in a strike on a displaced family’s tent in al-Sawarha, west of Nuseirat.
– Ayman Mahmoud Basheer killed near Al-Bukhari Mosque in Deir al-Balah.
– 3 killed, including a child, in a drone strike on al-Zawaida.
BREAKING | International Criminal Court (ICC) reverses its November 2024 decision (ruling against Israel's objections to arrest warrants for PM Netanyahu and ex-defense minister Gallant) in favor of Israel.
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BREAKING | Eight injured after an explosive drone struck a farm on the Lebanese side of the town of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali on the Syrian border.
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⭕️ According to an MEE report, the UAE deployed an Israeli-made military radar in Somalia’s Puntland earlier this year to defend against potential operations launched by the Yemeni Armed Forces (1/2)
Satellite imagery from March identified the radar as an ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array Multi-Mission Radar, manufactured by Israeli state-owned weapons manufacturer ELTA—a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
Sources told MEE the UAE intends to use the radar to protect Bosaso Airport, which Abu Dhabi has used to arm Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been accused of committing genocide against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in Darfur’s western region.
A source explained: “The radar’s purpose is to detect and provide early warning against drone or missile threats, particularly those potentially launched by the Yemeni Armed Forces, targeting Bosaso from outside.”
UPDATE | Medical sources to Al Jazeera:
"61 martyrs in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since dawn today, 46 of them in Gaza City and northern Gaza."
BREAKING | Local Palestinian sources report that an Israeli settler kidnapped Palestinian farmer Abdel Hadi Khawli while he was herding cows on the outskirts of the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the occupied West Bank.
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UPDATE | At least 15 Palestinians have been killed and others wounded as a result of the Israeli airstrike on a home in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
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Return of the Ikhwan: Erdogan reboots the Muslim Brotherhood in West Asia
With Damascus fallen and Sanaa under bombardment, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seizing a renewed opportunity to reassert Muslim Brotherhood influence across the Arab world – from Syria and Lebanon to Jordan and Yemen.
By Musa Ozugurlu