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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️Israel announced that its warplanes attacked the vicinity of Ahmad al-Sharaa's Presidential Palace overnight.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said the attack was a warning message to Sharaa, and that Israel is determined to prevent harm to the Druze in Syria.
❗️❗️ A Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel carrying humanitarian aid and 30 international human rights activists was attacked by Israeli drones at 12:23 Malta time while sailing in international waters near Malta.
The drone strike targeted the ship's bow twice, sparking a fire and causing a breach in the hull, with reports suggesting the generator was specifically targeted.
The ship is now at risk of sinking. An SOS distress signal was issued, to which only southern Cyprus responded by dispatching a rescue vessel, while no other country has responded so far.
BREAKING | Trump says all purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemicals must stop immediately or buyers will immediately face sanctions and be cut off from the US economy.
All purchases of Iranian oil, or petrochemical products, must stop, now! Any country or person who buys any amount of oil or petrochemicals from Iran will be subject to, immediately, secondary sanctions. They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form.Читать полностью…
❗️Qassam Brigades reports from the field that its fighters carried out a complex ambush on 25 April in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, successfully luring an Israeli armored force into a trap on Al-Tayaran Street.
The convoy, consisting of four Humvees and a military truck, was targeted with explosive devices before fighters engaged surviving soldiers at close range, causing deaths and injuries.
Syria signs 30-year deal with French shipping giant to operate Latakia Port
CMA CGM plans to invest €230 million over the next several years to modernize the port situated in one of the cities where government forces have been conducting sectarian massacres of civilians
❗️The Israeli army continues to isolate Beita after soldiers were injured in an IED explosion.
– Israeli bulldozers have begun sealing off the entrances to the town with earth mounds.
– Israeli soldiers fired directly at water tanks.
– The Israeli military confirmed that its forces imposed a “security cordon” on Beita in search of the attackers.
(Ultra Palestine)
Fourth round of US–Iran nuclear talks postponed for 'logistical reasons'
Reports in US media say Washington 'never confirmed its participation' in the fourth round of Omani-mediated negotiations
⭕️ Gulf stock markets close with mixed results on Thursday
Saudi Arabia’s main index (TASI) dropped by 1.1%, dragged down by a 0.9% dip in Alrajhi Bank (1120 SE), and a 2.2% decline in the country’s largest lender, Saudi National Bank (1180 SE). Saudi Aramco (2222 SE) slipped by 0.6%.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (FTFADGI) inched up by 0.2%, supported by a 0.4% gain in conglomerate International Holding (IHC AD).
Meanwhile, Qatar’s benchmark index (QSI) slipped 0.1%, as petrochemical producer Industries Qatar (IQCD QA) dropped 2.9%.
⭕️ Syria signed a 30-year agreement today with French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM, which includes constructing a new berth at Latakia port and committing an additional investment of 230 million euros ($260 million) over the duration of the partnership.
(Reuters)
Israel sets up new outposts in southern Syria overlooking Lebanon: Report
Israeli leadership has vowed that its occupation in both Syria and Lebanon is indefinite, as permanent outposts have been established in both countries
Iran, Iraq move forward with plans to boost trade to $25bn annually
The plans include finalizing the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project, an approximately $100mn initiative which could significantly enhance trade
⭕️ A stablecoin created by US President Donald Trump's crypto initiative, World Liberty Financial, is being utilized by an Abu Dhabi investment firm as part of its $2 billion investment in cryptocurrency exchange Binance, one of World Liberty’s co-founders said today.
In March, World Liberty announced the launch of USD1, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and backed by US Treasuries, cash, and similar liquid assets, with the goal of offering financial services without relying on traditional intermediaries such as banks.
WATCH | While Israelis point fingers at Palestinians for the current wave of wildfires, maps reveal a striking overlap with areas heavily forested by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) using non-native trees poorly adapted to the natural climate and terrain of Palestine.
Since its founding in 1901, the JNF has planted around 240 million such trees across occupied Palestinian land: fast-growing conifers that not only disrupt native ecosystems, but also act as tinder in the face of rising heat and drought.
❗️Hossam Warour, the mayor of southern Syria's Sahnaya, and his only son, Haidar Warour, were reportedly executed today, 1 May.
Local reports attribute the killings to government security forces, while government-aligned media say they were murdered by 'unknown assailants.'
Just yesterday, Warour appeared in a video wearing a light blue shirt, welcoming members of the HTS-led General Security to the town. He also gave a televised interview on Syria TV expressing support for their presence.
❗️Iraq and Iran are advancing plans to boost bilateral trade to $25 billion annually, more than doubling current levels.
This initiative includes finalizing agreements on the Shalamcheh–Basra railway and establishing joint free trade and industrial zones along their border. A recent Iraqi delegation to Tehran, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani’s advisor Hazem al-Khalidi, focused on these projects, which are expected to enhance cross-border commerce and infrastructure.
The 36-kilometer railway, once completed, will connect Basra to Iran’s rail network, facilitating the transport of up to three million passengers per year and supporting the development of border markets and industrial zones.
❗️Israel has killed at least 12 Palestinians in strikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today, most of them in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip.
(Medical sources to Al Jazeera)
Trump to boot national security advisor Waltz, eyes Witkoff as replacement: Report
Iran war-hawk Waltz reportedly 'lost trust' within the White House following the Signalgate scandal and was seen as 'not effective' in his role coordinating foreign policy
⭕️ Israel orders demolition of over 100 buildings in Tulkarem's camps, occupied West Bank
On the 95th day of the ongoing Israeli assault on Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army issued demolition orders for 58 buildings in Tulkarem Refugee Camp and 48 more in Nour Shams Camp.
SWIFT’s decline: How global powers are escaping the dollar trap
The US weaponized SWIFT to punish its enemies – but now allies and adversaries alike are building escape routes from the dollar-dominated global financial system.
By Aidan J. Simardone
❗️Fayez Abu Samra, a young Palestinian boy, was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces while risking his life to go back to his neighborhood in Gaza City's Shujaiya to bring flour for his sisters.
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BREAKING | US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong are set to depart from the Trump administration in the coming days. Real estate developer and special envoy Steve Witkoff is under consideration to replace Waltz, though no final decision has been made.
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⭕️ Netanyahu says defeating Hamas more important than returning captives, sparking backlash
While speaking at the annual 'Independence Day' International Bible Quiz today, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that while returning the Israeli captives in Gaza is a very important goal, "in war there is an ultimate goal – and this ultimate goal is victory over our enemies."
Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded to his speech, saying that the captives' return is not less important, but rather "the supreme goal that should guide the Israeli government."
The forum went on to say that the captives' families were "concerned," as Netanyahu aligns himself with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, while the "overwhelming majority" of the Israeli public want the return of the captives above all else.
"I understand that Netanyahu has more important goals than bringing back my sick son, who has been chained up for a year and a half and drinking water from the toilet in the Nazi tunnels in Gaza ... Because of this, it is clear to me that in order to bring back my son - my goal from this moment on is to oust Netanyahu from power," said Einav Zangauker, mother of Gaza captive Matan Zangauker.
(Jerusalem Post)
❗️An armed Jewish Israeli settler on horseback attacked the Arab al-Malihat community near Jericho in the occupied West Bank, spraying tear gas at activists and Palestinians.
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❗️Israeli army says it assassinated a member of Hezbollah's Radwan Force in its attack on Mays al-Jabal earlier today.
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BREAKING | Oman announces that the upcoming round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations, initially set for 3 May, are postponed due to logistical issues.
New dates will be confirmed once both sides reach a mutual agreement, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated in a post on X.
❗️Ministry of Health Gaza:
– "18 martyrs including 1 martyr who was recovered and 77 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The death toll and injuries since 18 March 2025 has reached 2,326 martyrs, 6,050 injuries."
⭕️ Turkiye remains committed to building a canal aimed at easing congestion in the heavily trafficked Bosphorus Strait, a government minister said on Thursday, noting that the project will proceed once funding is arranged, despite broad concerns about potential environmental consequences. Initially unveiled by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over a decade ago as his "crazy project," the canal was projected to cost approximately 75 billion lira ($1.95 billion).
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Massive wildfires rage for second day as Israel at standstill
Tel Aviv has been accused of ignoring years of warnings about its lack of preparedness to deal with the threat of wildfires
❗️Syria TV reports that Israeli occupation forces stormed Quneitra in southern Syria.
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Syria’s Druze leadership makes ‘urgent appeal’ for international support
Dozens of people including civilians have been killed since earlier this week in violent clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian security forces