Ramat Unlimited

Gaza City –  The Palestinian group Hamas has announced its willingness to release an Israeli-American soldier held hostage, following undisclosed negotiations with the United States. In a statement released Sunday, Hamas declared it is "ready for immediate negotiations" aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with Israel. The announcement marks a significant development as the conflict in Gaza continues to draw international concern. According to Israeli media reports, Israel was not informed in advance of the US-Hamas discussions regarding the soldier’s release, raising questions about coordination between allies amid ongoing tensions. Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, emphasized Washington’s desire to see all hostages returned safely. “We want to bring the hostages home, but Israel is not willing to end the war,” Witkoff said, calling on the Israeli government to seize what he described as a crucial “opportunity” to facilitate th...

- May 3, 2025 ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI  In a surprising diplomatic development, Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Monday, followed by a high-level visit to India later this week. Sources close to Tehran suggest that Iran may be positioning itself as a neutral mediator in the longstanding and often volatile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The timing of the visits has fueled speculation of a behind-the-scenes initiative aimed at de-escalating tensions that have persisted in the region, particularly over Kashmir, cross-border militancy, and economic competition. Both countries have recently signaled cautious openness to third-party engagement, with Iran — a regional power maintaining historically cordial ties with both New Delhi and Islamabad — seen as a credible interlocutor. "Iran is committed to regional stability and believes dialogue is the only path to peace," an Iranian foreign ministry official told...

-- Abuja, Nigeria  In a major development shaking Nigeria’s oil sector, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked managing directors and top officials of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries following the discovery of N80 billion in the account of one of the former MDs. The arrests come as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a staggering $2.9 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. Findings by PUNCH reveal that the anti-graft agency is probing: $1.5 billion allocated to Port Harcourt Refinery, $740 million to Kaduna Refinery, and $656 million to Warri Refinery. The ex-Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, Mr. Ibrahim Onoja; the former MD of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd, Efifia Chu; and the former MD of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd, Mustafa Sugungun, are all currently in EFCC custody. A top EFCC official, who r...