Author: Steven Sahiounie

Nationalist ideas are concerning for a multicultural country like Russia, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday during a visit to Tver Region. He was referring to the slogan, “Russia for Russians,” which promotes the idea that the ethnic majority deserves more rights than other nationalities in the country. Russia is a multinational and a multi-confessional state, and the violation of rights of any citizens will only lead to a collapse of the country, the president warned, adding that all religions are treated with respect in teh country. He noted that 190 ethnic groups currently live in Russia, with some nationalities comprising millions…

Prime Minister-designate Mohammad Mustafa has presented his government’s action plan and proposed formation list to President Mahmoud Abbas for confidence under the Basic Law for its approval. Consequently, President Abbas issued a decree granting confidence to the nineteenth Palestinian government and issued a decree regarding its formation. The new government is scheduled to swear in before the President next Sunday, March 31, 2024. The government’s program emphasizes that its political reference is based on that of the Palestine Liberation Organization, its international commitments, and the assignment letter directed from President Mahmoud Abbas to the government. The government program prioritizes humanitarian…

Steven sahiounie, journalist and political commentator 16 Lebanese have died from Israeli airstrikes on the south of Lebanon since March 27. The first strike was on Hebbarieh, where seven young paramedic volunteers died, in the second attack five died at Tair Harfa, of which three were Hezbollah paramedics, and then an attack on Naqoura killed four, of which two were paramedics from the Amal Movement.Seven young medical volunteers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Hebbarieh. The Islamic Emergency and Relief Corps operate a medical center in the Sunni village of 2,000 inhabitants which has never before been targeted by…

RIYADH: Renewable energy capacity in the Middle East soared to a record high in 2023, with the addition of 5.1 gigawatts, marking a 16.6 percent increase from the previous year.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s overall unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the same period in 2022.  

RIYADH: Saudi energy giant ACWA Power has signed an SR3 billion ($800 million) agreement with Senegal’s Ministry of Water to develop a desalination plant.

RIYADH: Foreign direct investment inflows to Saudi Arabia rose 17 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous period, according to recent data. 

Moscow has introduced tight requirements for companies wishing to divest, ensuring local buyers receive major discounts on businesses that are leaving

The Israeli occupation army conducted last night and this morning a large-scale arrest campaign in the occupied West Bank and detained 25 Palestinians, including a child and former prisoners, according to various sources. The Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said that at least ten Palestinians, including a 15-year-old child, were rounded up by occupation forces from different areas across Hebron city. PPS added that the rest of the detentions took place in the governorates of Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, Salfit, and Jerusalem. Palestinian detainees are usually subjected to brutal abuse during their detention, involving severe beatings and threats against the detainees and…

Italy’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister said Wednesday that the main agenda items for the G7 foreign ministers meeting which his country will host on the island of Capri next month will be the Middle East, Ukraine and terrorism. Antonio Tajani held a press conference in Naples prefecture ahead of the meeting on April 17-19 under Italy’s presidency. The G7 countries consist of the US, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the UK and Germany. Tajani emphasized that the meeting will particularly focus on delivering a peace message for Gaza. He noted the continuation of efforts for peace following a previous…