Author: Steven Sahiounie

Sudan welcomes Turkish offer to solve the conflict Sudan’s army chief has welcomed a Turkish offer to resolve the brutal 20-month conflict between his forces and their paramilitary rivals, the Sudanese foreign minister said. In early December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a phone call with Sudan’s Abdel Fattah al-Burhan that Ankara could help establish “peace and stability” in the war-torn African state. At a meeting in Port Sudan on Saturday, Burhan asked Turkey’s deputy foreign minister Burhanettin Duran to “deliver the Sudanese leadership’s welcoming of the initiative” to Erdogan, Sudanese foreign minister Ali Youssef said in a…

Israel Destroys UNIFIL Properties and Lebanese Army Watchtower The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has confirmed that operations by Israeli forces north of the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon and Israel, are ongoing. On Saturday, they announced the documentation of a new Israeli violation. In their statement, UNIFIL said, “Peacekeepers witnessed an Israeli military bulldozer this morning destroying a blue barrel marking the withdrawal line between Lebanon and Israel in Labouneh, as well as a Lebanese Armed Forces observation tower near a UNIFIL position in the area.” The statement further criticized these actions, saying, “The deliberate and direct…

Limited US Spaceports Threaten to Delay Launches According to a report by “The Wall Street Journal” published on Sunday, the limited number of spaceports in the United States threatens to cause congestion and delays in rocket launches. As noted by the newspaper, nearly all American launches are executed from just three spaceports, located in Florida and California. This concentration of launch facilities could lead to significant bottlenecks, particularly as the demand for space access grows. In 2023, the US achieved a record high of 145 rocket launches, with the vast majority (134) conducted by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The Wall Street…

Record-Breaking Sales for Eco-Friendly Korean Cars in 2024 In a significant milestone for sustainability in the automotive industry, South Korea’s five major car manufacturers achieved a new sales record for eco-friendly vehicles in 2024, fueled by the soaring popularity of hybrid models. Last year, these companies collectively sold 450,194 units of environmentally friendly cars, marking an increase of 11.1% from the 405,331 units sold in 2023. This data was compiled from separate reports by Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, KG Mobility, and Renault Korea Motors, released on Sunday. The standout performance came from hybrid models, which saw sales of 356,058…

Israeli Soldier Escapes Brazil Amid War Crimes Allegations An Israeli soldier, who was vacationing in Brazil, managed to flee the country after an investigation was opened regarding his alleged involvement in war crimes in Gaza. According to the Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth,” the soldier was enjoying his holiday with friends in Brazil. A friend’s father told the newspaper, “There were five of them on the trip. They stayed on Morro Island, where many Israelis settle.” He added that the soldier and his friends “were enjoying a peaceful vacation until they received a phone call informing them of an arrest warrant…

Biden Administration Ignores Human Rights Pressure, Approves $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel The US State Department announced on Saturday that the Biden administration has approved an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, amidst the administration’s final days in office. The arms package includes 155mm artillery shells, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, small-diameter bombs, and 500-pound warheads. According to a State Department official, “The Department informally notified Congress of a proposed sale of munitions worth $8 billion to support Israel’s long-term security by replenishing critical munitions stocks and defensive capabilities.” With this move, Biden has once again ignored pressures from human rights…

What is the Fate of ISIS Prisoners Under Syria’s New Administration? In the regions east of the Euphrates River in Syria, Kurdish forces have controlled vast areas for years, housing several prisons filled with thousands of ISIS members. This situation raises questions about the possibility of handing these prisons over to the new Syrian administration in Damascus as part of a broader solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria. According to Siamand Ali, the media director for the People’s Protection Units (YPG), in an interview with Alhurra, the areas under the Autonomous Administration in Northeast Syria include 26 prisons, holding…

Turkey Declares No Room for Terrorism in New Syrian Era Turkey has firmly stated that there is no place for terrorism in the new phase of Syrian politics. This assertion comes from sources within the Turkish Ministry of Defense, emphasizing that both the new Syrian administration and Turkey will not tolerate terrorism. The sources further clarified that “all forms of assistance and support will be provided to Syria in the coming phase,” and that “the Turkish Army will continue to stand by and support the Syrian people.” They also reported that throughout 2024, the Turkish military neutralized 3,070 terrorists in…

Saudi Aid Bridge to Syria to Deliver Heavy Medical Equipment The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center announced on Friday that it will operate a land bridge from Jordan into Syria to deliver heavy medical equipment. Samer Al-Jatili, a representative from the center, confirmed that the operations on the ground are being coordinated with Syrian authorities and international entities. In related news, the fourth Saudi relief plane arrived in Damascus today, carrying 27 tons of food and medical aid. This brings the total aid provided by Saudi Arabia to over 100 tons within just three days. What Awaits Syria…

Lebanese Authorities Conduct Thorough Inspection of Iranian Plane and Passengers In a recent development that has stirred tensions, Lebanese authorities conducted a comprehensive inspection of an Iranian Mahan Air plane, including its passengers and diplomatic luggage. The plane was carrying an Iranian diplomat, leading to a diplomatic stir between the two nations. According to Lebanese officials, the inspection was part of routine security measures applied universally to all aircraft and passengers at Rafik Hariri International Airport. However, this particular event drew significant attention when the Iranian National Security Committee in Parliament intervened. Ibrahim Rezaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian parliamentary…