Author: Steven Sahiounie

A sudden stoppage would have far-reaching consequences for Austria, according to the country’s energy ministry

Fitch Ratings has downgraded Ukraine’s credit rating to ‘restricted default’ on Tuesday, citing the expiry of a ten-day grace period for the coupon payment on the country’s $750 million 2026 Eurobond, which was due on August 1.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman strongly condemned the move by two Israeli ministers and a crowd of illegal Zionist settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on Tuesday. Nasser Kanaani said in a statement that the “provocative move” by the Israeli ministers and settlers was a clear example of the Zionists’ intention to foment tension and unrest in the region. The sinister measure revealed the undeniable fact that the Zionist regime’s leaders seek to add fuel to the fire of their belligerence by hurting the religious feelings of Muslims in Palestine and the world, he added. Kanaani also urged the US…

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will step down next month, succumbing to public disaffection over political scandals and rising living costs that marred his three-year term, and triggering a contest to replace him. “Politics cannot function without public trust. I made this heavy decision thinking of the public, with the strong will to push political reform forward,” he said in a press conference to announce his decision not to seek re-election as the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader, Reuters reported. The LDP will hold a contest in September to replace him as president of the ruling party, and…

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Ankara will continue to support the Palestinian cause and push the international community to increase pressure on Israel. The two leaders discussed recent developments and the steps to be taken for a lasting ceasefire and peace in Gaza, Erdogan’s office said in a post on X. Erdogan condemned Israel’s war in Gaza, accusing some Western countries of remaining silent and continuing to support Israel. Abbas is set to address an extraordinary session of Turkey’s parliament tomorrow source: alJazeera

At a UN Security Council discussion yesterday, Norway noted that in 2021, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 2601, which condemned attacks and threats of attack against schools, educational facilities and civilians connected with schools. “The Safe School Declaration is endorsed by 120 states,” Norway said, urging all states to endorse it. The declaration is an intergovernmental political commitment that allows states to support protecting students, teachers, schools, and universities from attack during times of armed conflict. Source: AlJazeera

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has denounced Israeli authorities for detaining Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestine Olympic Committee and Palestine Football Association (PFA). We reported yesterday that Rajoub was detained by Israeli forces as he returned to the occupied West Bank via Amman. Although he was released, his passport was confiscated, and he has been summoned for further questioning on Thursday. The AFC said it was “alarmed by the violation of Rajoub’s fundamental rights, particularly his freedom of movement to conduct his duties as a sports leader, especially as the president of the PFA”. Rajoub has previously been…

Russia’s special presidential representative for the Middle East and African countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and UAE Ambassador to Moscow Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaber discussed interaction in BRICS, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website following the meeting. “During the conversation, the sides discussed topical issues of further development of traditionally friendly bilateral relations, including maintaining an intense political dialogue and building up mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian areas. The parties also touched upon the Russian-Emirati cooperation within BRICS,” the statement reads. The meeting was held at the request of the UAE…

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Wednesday the key efforts undertaken to contain the ongoing escalation in the region and work towards achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. During a phone call, both sides discussed key regional developments and the results of their contacts and efforts, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian foreign ministry. FM Abdelatty emphasised to his American counterpart the necessity and urgency of reaching an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the full delivery of humanitarian aid to the…

President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday evening met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential complex in Ankara. During the meeting, President Abbas briefed his Turkish counterpart on the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, with focus on the ongoing Israeli genocidal aggression inflicted by Israel on the defenceless civilian population in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, along with complete devastation of infrastructure. He reaffirmed Palestine’s position calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed of defenceless innocents, full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, a cessation of all Israeli assaults in the West Bank,…