LONDON: UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths has warned that a combination of factors, including low water levels in the Euphrates River, other water shortages and cholera outbreaks, has led to a crisis in Syria’s northeast that requires urgent intervention by humanitarian partners.

The warning came during a Security Council meeting on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the war-torn country. In addition to council members, representatives from Turkey and Iran were also present.

TEHRAN: The crew of one of two Greek oil tankers seized by Iranian armed forces in May have been replaced by their company, Iran’s foreign ministry said Wednesday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the ships in the Gulf days after Greece said it would deliver Iranian oil it had taken from a Russian tanker to the United States.
The Russian ship, the Pegas, had been detained by Greece at the request of the United States, which has imposed crippling sanctions on Iran, particularly on its oil exports.

TOKYO: Bahrain’s undersecretary for political affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday participated in an Arab News Japan roundtable event in Tokyo.

Speaking at the discussion, that took place at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan where Arab News Japan first launched nearly three years ago, Al-Khalifa began his talk by mourning former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

DUBAI: A Dubai court has ruled that a British man suspected of masterminding a $1.7 billion tax scheme cannot be extradited to Denmark to face charges.
The decision in the high-profile case grants the hedge fund trader, Sanjay Shah, a victory against Danish authorities who sought him for his role in one of the country’s largest-ever fraud cases.
Monday’s court ruling can be appealed by prosecutors within 30 days.

BEIRUT: The outbreak of cholera in Syria presents a serious threat to people in the war-torn country and the region, a UN official said Tuesday, adding that urgent action is needed to prevent further cases and deaths.
The statement by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Imran Riza, came after health officials in the country reported at least five deaths and more than two dozen cases in different provinces.