Trump envoy Witkoff to meet Putin on Wednesday with new Ukraine proposals
A US official said on Tuesday that Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss new Ukrainian proposals for ending the war. The meeting follows talks in Oslo, which the official described as highly productive. According to Reuters, Witkoff discussed security guarantees for Ukraine in the Norwegian capital with representatives of Kyiv and European countries.
Why it matters The meeting is part of Washington's push to end the war in Ukraine, and its outcome depends on Moscow's stance on the proposed security guarantees. Developments in the war affect global energy and food markets, which in turn influence the Arab region.
Yemeni government forces say 98 Houthi fighters killed in Taiz clashes
The Taiz military axis command of Yemen's government forces said Houthi losses in Tuesday's fighting reached 98 dead and 148 wounded. Government forces also reported carrying out 744 strikes over 24 hours, and Sky News Arabia, citing Yemeni sources, said they repelled a Houthi assault from three directions on the city of Taiz in the southwest. Al Jazeera's live coverage added that the coalition intercepted two attacks targeting Riyadh.
Iran's Rezaei rules out moving enriched nuclear material abroad
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran will not allow any enriched nuclear material to leave the country. He made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir. Rezaei also tied any negotiations with the United States to Washington taking confidence-building steps and meeting Iran's conditions, according to media reports.
