Author: Steven Sahiounie

The ISS has revealed that ISIS is reconfiguring its presence on a large scale in North and West Africa, using Libya as a starting base for its fighters’ spread. The report pointed out that the group has established four Caliphates in Borno state, northeast Nigeria. ISIS is also relying on “an elaborate network of contacts and routes cutting across West and North Africa (Libya-Algeria-Mali-Niger-Nigeria) to facilitate the movements of fighters,” according to the report.The report also warned of new droves of terrorists arriving in Nigeria, including Arabs “who will be permanently based in the region as part of the leadership.” Analyst Jasmine…

The leader of the “Taliban”, Hebatullah Akhundzada, announced that the Movement wants to establish good diplomatic, economic, and political relations with all countries of the world, including the US. In a message on the occasion of Adha Eid, Akhundzada affirmed that the Movement supports a political settlement to resolve the conflict, despite their military progress and victories achieved so far, and that it is determined to reach a solution through negotiations. He also stressed that in the event of establishing an Islamic emirate in the country, Afghanistan will not allow any side to threaten the security of any other country from…

The US Department of State accused Tehran of deflecting blame for the impasse the Vienna talks have reached and denied that any deal regarding prisoner exchange is complete. It responded to statements made by the head of the Iranian delegation to the Vienna talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stating that “these comments are an outrageous effort to deflect blame for the current impasse.” It also denied reaching an agreement with regard to the prisoner exchange, pointing out that the statements made by Araghchi aim to “raise the hopes of their families.” US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said earlier…

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh confirmed Sunday that Iran is ready to implement the prisoner exchange agreement with the United States and Britain. Khatibzadeh tweeted, “Humanitarian swap was agreed with US & UK in Vienna-separate from JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)- on the release of 10 prisoners on all sides. Iran is ready to proceed TODAY”. In his tweet, he added, “Outrageous= the US denying the simple fact that there IS an agreed deal on the matter of the detainees. Even on how to announce it.” “Outrageous”=the US denying simple fact that “there IS an agreed deal…

Iraq is close to executing the “Fao Refinery” project, which will refine oil and produce oil-based products, plastics, and petroleum condensates, as well as accept bids from foreign companies to build power stations that run on sustainable energy. Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar revealed today, on Sunday, that they are accepting bids to build power stations that run on sustainable energy, pointing out that the “Fao refinery” project will be executed soon. Abdul-Jabbar said his country had received these bids from “international companies,” including French Total. In an interview with the Sabah daily, he noted that the “Fao refinery” project…

The spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the EU of “embracing” the fascist past of the European continent, after a top court ruled that employers can ban religious symbols, including the headscarf. The ruling passed this week by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) is “wrong” and “an attempt to lend legitimacy to racism,” Fahrettin Altun, the communications director for the office of President Erdogan said on Twitter on Saturday. He said it was “unbelievable that fascism just spread to the courts” of the EU, adding that “instead of denouncing its dark past, Europe now seeks to embrace it.” The CJEU on Thursday passed…

British provocateur Katie Hopkins has been dropped from Australia’s upcoming ‘Big Brother VIP’ and is being investigated by the Australian Border Force after she claimed to have purposefully broken strict quarantine rules. Hopkins caused a storm of controversy on Saturday after she announced that she had landed in Sydney and was now in mandatory quarantine, despite the fact that tens of thousands of Australians are still stranded abroad and unable to return home due to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s strict Covid-19 pandemic entry caps. Hopkins’ arrival caused further anger when she claimed in an Instagram video to have intentionally…

Three unnamed Olympians have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the final days leading up to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The upcoming event has been plagued with Covid-19 restrictions and concerns over health safety. Out of the infected athletes, two tested positive in the Olympic Village, the Japan Times reported on Sunday, citing officials. Five Olympic Games staff members, a contract worker and a journalist also tested positive on Sunday. The news comes after a South Korean member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Ryu Seung-min, tested positive for the virus after landing at Narita International Airport on…

More than 20 people died when houses were destroyed amid floods caused by the heavy downpour in the Mumbai suburbs in India. More are feared to be trapped under the rubble. At least 25 people were killed in several building collapses in Mumbai on Sunday, Indian media reported, citing officials. A retaining wall crashed down on homes located on a hillock, killing 17. Seven more died after a landslide destroyed several huts, and a 16-year-old boy was also killed in a similar incident.  Multiple rescue teams were dispatched to affected areas, as more people are feared to be trapped under…

French President Emmanuel Macron has lost some popularity among young people after his government announced new rules about health passes and mandatory vaccination for health workers. Macron’s approval went down by 13 points among people aged 18-24, a poll by IFOP public opinion agency for Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper showed. The president’s disapproval rating in this group stands at 51%. The number of those who don’t approve of the president’s policies grew by seven points among people aged 25-34 and 35-49, reaching 68% and 66%, respectively. At the same time, Macron gained six points in favorability among retirees…