Author: Steven Sahiounie

Israeli occupation PM Naftali Bennett said in an interview for The New York Times ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden that he opposes any US efforts to restore a nuclear deal with Iran and that he will continue covert Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli PM also ruled out peace talks with the Palestinians, explaining that he would expand settlements in the West Bank. The newspaper reported that Bennett’s policies differ little from those of his predecessor, Netanyahu, and that as the former prepares to meet the US President at the White House tomorrow, Thursday, he intends…

The Yemen Supreme Political Council President, Mahdi al-Mashat, received a thank-you letter from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in reply to his congratulatory letter on his victory in the presidential elections. Al-Masirah reported that the Iranian President lauded the steadfastness of the Yemeni people against the aggression for the 7th year in a row, stressing his country’s solidarity with the Yemeni people’s plight in their battle against the brutal blockade and acts of aggression. He also stressed his keenness on expanding the horizons of cooperation between the two brotherly countries and peoples in different fields, in service of their common interests. The Iranian…

On Wednesday morning, Osama Khaled Duaij (32 years), from the Jabalia refugee camp, was martyred in the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The young Palestinian succumbed to wounds he sustained after Israeli occupation forces shot him during a peaceful demonstration east of Gaza City. The “Hamas” Movement mourned Martyr Duaij, stressing that the Palestinian people will continue to resist the occupation by all methods and means in the West Bank, occupied Al-Quds, and the Gaza Strip until the demands and goals of the Palestinians are achieved. The Movement said that the ongoing resistance in Jenin and Nablus, the popular demonstrations in…

Militants opened fire in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, wounding a number of civilians who had gathered near the Saraya checkpoint waiting to return to their homes. According to local sources, the militants attacked the city with mortar shells “as part of an attempt to disrupt efforts which aim to eliminate the existence of armed groups in the area”. On Tuesday, the first batch of militants who rejected settlements began departing Daraa al-Balad north of Syria. According to Al Mayadeen correspondent, “the militants’ evacuation occurred “in line with the deal made by the Russian negotiator.” The Syrian army deployed military reinforcements…

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia is ready to strengthen communication with China in regard to the developments in Afghanistan. Putin made the remarks in a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Kremlin stated that the Afghani issue has been deeply discussed, calling for an efficient joint response to potential cross-border challenges and threats. The heads of the state urged the importance of bringing peace to Afghanistan as soon as possible, preventing instability from spreading to neighboring regions, and agreeing to intensify bilateral relations and close coordination, primarily through foreign ministries. On his account, Kremlin spokesman…

US magazine Newsweek revealed that Joe Biden’s administration is ready to release an Afghan leader who has been lying in a US federal prison for 16 years. In return, the US administration demanded the release of the last American hostage in Afghanistan, provided that the Taliban produce a proof of life. On the other hand, Biden warned that ISIS seeks to target Kabul airport and attack US forces. Biden added that the airlift that the US initiated to evacuate its citizens, Western nationals, and Afghan citizens who cooperated with its forces, “must end soon.” In turn, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby…

The brother of Palestinian prisoner Karim Younes, Nadim, divulged to Al Mayadeen that his mother last saw her son approximately a month ago. Despite her old age and being wheelchair-bound, Younes told Al Mayadeen that his mother was subject to scrutiny when she visited, as her age and condition were not taken into account. Nadim stated that the prisoner Karim Younes (61 years old), who has been in jail for 39 years, has been suffering in Hadarim jail, with one year and four months remaining of his sentence. His release date is set for January 5, 2023. Nadim added that he met with his…

Ukraine, which has long served as one of the main transit countries for Russian gas, vehemently opposes the launch of a new pipeline. Kiev fears Nord Stream 2 will strip it of transit revenue, and demands that the EU, and specifically Germany, drop the project. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the Nord Stream 2 pipeline “a dangerous geopolitical weapon of the Kremlin” following his meeting with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The president said he had discussed the pipeline with the German head of government, stressing that Nord Stream 2 would only benefit Russia and not Europe. Merkel stopped short of…

More than 200 protesters were arrested in Melbourne on Saturday. At least 19 will be subjected to criminal trials, while the rest face fines of over 5,000 Australian dollars (£2,600). Nine police officers were hurt in the clashes, with one kept in hospital overnight. Melbourne’s top cop has claimed Saturday’s anti-lockdown protests were the most violent in two decades after officers pepper-sprayed children. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton claimed on Sunday his officers had no choice but to use “less than lethal” weapons against what he called an armed mob determined to “confront and attack” at the protests in Australia’s…

The Head of the political office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, says the recent Operation al-Quds Sword proved that the holy city of al-Quds is the main axis of anti-Zionism struggles. Ismail Haniyeh made the remarks on Sunday, during a speech he delivered at the third international scholarly forum – titled “The Operation al-Quds Sword Gateway to Liberation” – on the 52nd anniversary of an arson attack against the al-Aqsa Mosque. On August 21, 1969, the mosque was set on fire by an Australian settler named Dennis Michael Rohan in coordination with Israeli officials and military forces. The fire gutted…