Author: Steven Sahiounie

New Bat Coronavirus Discovered in China with Potential to Infect Humans Chinese virologists have announced the discovery of a new bat coronavirus that could potentially infect humans in a manner similar to COVID-19. According to the South China Morning Post, this newly identified virus is a distinct strain of the HKU5 coronavirus, originally found in a Japanese bat in Hong Kong. The research team, led by renowned Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, conducted an in-depth study of this virus at a laboratory in Guangzhou. The team collaborated with experts from the Guangzhou branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well…

Official Statement Regarding the Syrian Foreign Minister’s Visit to Iraq The Syrian Foreign Ministry announced that the date for Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani’s visit to Iraq, representing the transitional government, will be determined later. The ministry’s media office stated, “Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani has received an official invitation to visit the brotherly Republic of Iraq. The visit aims to discuss several mutual issues and open a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries. The timing of the visit will be set later, following the completion of the agenda and necessary technical consultations to determine a suitable date.” For…

Numbered Cemeteries in Israel: Holding the Remains of 665 Palestinians and Arabs Israeli authorities continue to detain the remains of 665 Palestinians and Arabs killed by its military in various operations, some dating back to 1967. This includes perpetrators of armed attacks against Israeli targets, as well as Yahya Sinwar, former head of Hamas’s political bureau, killed in Rafah months ago. These bodies are kept in secretive “numbered cemeteries,” where the remains of deceased prisoners and others, including women and children, are buried. The number of detained bodies exceeds 600, with estimates suggesting a dramatic increase following the Gaza war,…

Egypt Confirms Arab Support for Gaza Reconstruction Plan with Residents Staying Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty confirmed on Saturday that Egypt’s emerging plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, while ensuring Palestinians remain on their land, has garnered Arab support. This statement came during a phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where both ministers discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Middle East, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khalaf. In a press statement, Khalaf noted that the ministers expressed eagerness to hold a joint governmental committee meeting, co-chaired by both foreign ministers, to…

Pope’s Battle with Illness: Doctors Identify the Main Threat The Vatican continued its Holy Year celebrations on Saturday without Pope Francis, who remains in a fierce struggle against pneumonia and a complicated respiratory infection. Doctors describe the latter as still uncertain, keeping the 88-year-old pontiff hospitalized for at least another week. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni reported early Saturday that the Pope had a restful night. According to the Associated Press, medical experts pinpointed the primary threat to Francis as the potential onset of sepsis—a dangerous blood infection that can arise as a pneumonia complication. In their first detailed update on…

Release of Hisham Sayed, “The Forgotten Prisoner” from Gaza Strip After the announcement of the names of hostages scheduled for release at the end of the first phase of the Gaza agreement, Hisham Sayed’s name emerged among the six listed. Many were surprised to see an Arab name included. According to i24 News, Hisham Shaban Sayed was detained in April 2015 after independently crossing the border into the Gaza Strip through the orchards of Kibbutz Erez. Hisham Sayed, now 36 years old, is an Arab-Israeli citizen born in the Negev. His family reports that he suffers from schizophrenia. Initially, he…

Al-Nassr Fans Demand Cristiano Ronaldo’s Exit, Label Him a “Burden” on the Team A section of Al-Nassr’s passionate fanbase has called for the departure of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming he has become a “burden” on the Saudi club. The criticism erupted following Al-Nassr’s 3-2 defeat to Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, a result that saw the team slip to fourth place, eight points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad. This WordPress article dives into the mounting frustration among fans and the reasons behind their discontent with the football icon. The Match That Sparked Outrage Al-Nassr appeared to be…

The Devastating Impact of the Syrian Conflict on Economy and Society The conflict in Syria, spanning nearly 14 years, has undone almost four decades of economic, social, and human progress, according to a new preliminary assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report warns that if the Syrian economy continues at its current growth rates, it will not recover its pre-conflict GDP levels until 2080. This article delves into the catastrophic effects of the war and the monumental challenges ahead for recovery. A Shattered Economy The UNDP report, titled “The Impact of the Conflict in Syria: A Devastated…

Tragic Death of Released Palestinian Prisoner in Jerusalem In a heartbreaking incident, a recently released Palestinian prisoner passed away on Saturday after falling from the roof of his home in the town of Al-Issawiya, Jerusalem. According to the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA), local sources reported that “the freed prisoner, Nael Salama Obeid, met his demise after falling from the roof of his house in Al-Issawiya, northeast of occupied Jerusalem.” The agency highlighted the tragic nature of the event, which has left the community in mourning. WAFA further noted that “Obeid was released last week as part of the…

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Russians “have the cards” in any negotiation to end the war in Ukraine, after branding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” who refuses to hold elections.The Ukrainian leader, who has exchanged barbs with Trump since he initiated a dramatic shift in Washington’s stance on the war, was due to meet US special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Thursday. The United States has provided essential funding and arms to Ukraine, but Trump has rattled Kyiv and its European backers by opening talks with Moscow they fear could end the war on terms…