Author: Steven Sahiounie

During a telephone call this evening, President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, discussed the latest developments in Palestine in light of the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The President stressed the urgency of putting an immediate end to the genocidal war waged against Palestinians in the Strip, underscoring the importance of accelerating the introduction of humanitarian, relief and medical assistance, preventing displacement and stopping the dangerous Israeli escalation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. President Abbas expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the position of the Spanish Prime Minister…

European Union (EU) foreign ministers have agreed to impose new sanctions on Iran that would cover the alleged supply of missiles to other countries and entities following an Iranian military operation against the Israeli regime earlier this month in retaliation for the killing of senior Iranian generals in Syria. The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that members of the bloc had agreed in principle during a meeting in Luxembourg to expand the EU’s current drone-related sanctions on Iran to cover missiles and their transfers out of the country. “We have reached a political agreement in order…

The Turkish President says he had not received any signals from Qatari leadership indicating a desire for Hamas to leave the country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pointed out on Tuesday that he does not believe the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas will depart from Qatar, where it is currently based. Returning from his first trip to Iraq since 2011, Erdogan indicated that he had not received any signals from Qatari leadership indicating a desire for Hamas to leave the country. “The sincerity they [Qatar] have toward them [Hamas], their stance toward them, has always been like a member of the family,” he…

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro described the United States’ reimposition of sanctions on his country as a “grave mistake”. US officials recently announced that the Biden administration will reimpose sanctions on Venezuela, claiming that the Maduro government did not uphold “an inclusive and competitive election.” The United States “did not honor a single word of the agreement signed last October in Qatar,” Maduro stressed during a meeting with an Iranian delegation visiting the country to enhance strategic relations between Caracas and Tehran on Tuesday. He was referring to talks brokered by Qatar in September 2023, which resulted in a prisoner swap…

Qatar said on Tuesday there was no justification to end the presence of an office for Palestinian group Hamas in Doha while its mediation efforts continued in the Gaza war.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari added in a press conference that Qatar remained committed to mediation but was reassessing its role in “frustration with attacks” on its efforts.  Last week, Qatar said it was re-evaluating its role as mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, citing concerns that its efforts are being undermined by politicians seeking to score points. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is…

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has stressed that the Islamic Republic and Pakistan can play a major role in achieving regional peace through promotion of their bilateral ties. “Iran and Pakistan, by strengthening cooperation between their armed forces, can bring peace and stability to the two nations and the entire region,” Raeisi said during a meeting with General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, on Monday. The talks between Raeisi and Munir revolved around regional peace and border security. The two sides shared views on strengthening bilateral ties and cooperating to achieve regional stability and economic prosperity. For his…

In an obvious, but denied double standard, Blinken has stated that the United States does not favor “Israel” when applying international law. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested in a presser on the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices that the US would publicize a plan to cut military aid to an Israeli occupation military unit accused of violating human rights in the West Bank. “You’ll see in the days ahead that we will have more to say,” Blinken told reporters. When asked whether the US encompasses double standards or biases when applying the law against “Israel”, Blinken denied, stressing that the…

Both nations agree to cooperate on tourism, economy and trade, while also discussing the war on Gaza and the escalation between Iran and “Israel”. Following his visit to Iraq, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan released a statement on Monday, confirming that both nations have agreed to cooperate on tourism, economy, and trade, while also discussing the war on Gaza. In his statement, he relayed that the top priority of the mutual agenda was the fight against terrorism, in which he said his country was prepared to help Iraq fight against it. This marks Erdogan’s first trip to Iraq since 2011. “We welcomed…

The inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place on May 7, Andrey Klishas, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation and Statehood in the upper house Federation Council, said. “The inauguration will be held on [May] 7. There will be additional information about the [PCR] tests for [senators attending the inauguration]. This is a standard procedure, it will take place once, on [May] 6,” Klishas said at a committee meeting. The senator also said that the State Duma could consider the candidacy of Russia’s new prime minister as early as May 8 if the president “sees fit.” “The…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. has shared plans for its inaugural mixed-use commercial office and retail development Zallal, set to launch in the Bujairi district during the first half of 2025.