Author: Steven Sahiounie

RIYADH — During a meeting of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), the Ministry of Economy and Planning reported a notable 16% increase in net direct foreign investment inflows for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter.

Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM) has added Verra and Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) to its list which meet its Core-Carbon Principles rule book

Joining ATIDI would boost African trade opportunities by providing flexible solutions to alleviate political and trade risks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday he has still not seen a plan for Israel’s planned offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah that would protect civilians, repeating that Washington could not support such an assault.Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem for two-and-a-half hours, after which Israel repeated that the Rafah operation would go ahead despite the US position and a UN warning that it would lead to “tragedy.”“We cannot, will not support a major military operation in Rafah absent an effective plan to make sure that civilians are not harmed and…

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reveals that US troops will have the “right to return fire” if they were shot at from Gaza. During the House Armed Services Committee Hearings, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed that of the 1,000 US troops that will be sent to Gaza to operate the temporary pier system, all will have the “ability to protect themselves if challenged.” The port, which is expected to be operating in a matter of days, has been criticized as a “smokescreen” to facilitate the potential Israeli invasion of the southern city of Rafah, The Independent reported last week, citing UN officials. The pier reportedly aims to boost aid deliveries…

Two US officials reveal that the Biden administration told ICC officials privately that it would be a mistake to arrest Israeli leaders. Axios has reported that the Israeli government has told the Biden administration that if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, it would retaliate against the Palestinian Authority, perhaps leading to its collapse, according to two Israeli and US sources. Israeli authorities have become more anxious in recent weeks since reportedly the names of Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have been circled as suspects of war…

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the European Union must respect the country’s Armed Forces in line with international law. In a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian warned against any European move to blacklist the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). The IRGC plays a constructive role in establishing lasting security in the region and fighting against terrorism, he added. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s extensive drone and missile strikes against the Israeli regime, in a vote of 357-20, and called for further sanctions to be imposed on Iranian…

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya has called for an independent international investigation of mass graves in the Gaza Strip. “Horrid reports about mass graves found in the enclave have recently appeared. An independent international investigation in needed to bring the criminals to responsibility,” he said at a meeting of the UN General Assembly following the United States vetoing the UN Security Council resolution on admitting Palestine as a full-fledged UN member. The Russian diplomat noted that many cities in the Gaza Strip have been totally destroyed, with hospitals and schools “razed to the ground.” “According to…

Türkiye will officially apply to be part of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Justice Committee said Wednesday. “After the decision to join (the case) is made by our esteemed President, we will submit our official application following legal work. As we have done until today, we will continue our efforts with determination to ensure the condemnation of Israel, which has been condemned by the conscience of humanity, and also in the eyes of the law,” said Cuneyt Yuksel in a written statement. Pointing to…

A UAE aid convoy entered the Gaza Strip on Wednesday via Egypt’s Rafah Crossing Point as a part of the country’s “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3” project to support the Palestinian people, UAE state news agency WAM reported on Thursday. The 12-truck convoy is transporting over 264 tonnes of humanitarian aid including food, water and dates. The latest convoy now brings to 440 the number of trucks that have been used for support efforts. As of May 1, 2024, the UAE has now provided the Palestinians 22,436 tonnes of aid, which has included the deployment of 220 cargo planes and three…