Author: Steven Sahiounie

Canada’s International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen has said that the country is exploring options for delivering humanitarian aid, and “airdrops of aid into Gaza, in partnership with like-minded countries like Jordan”, were possible. Hussen, who visited Egypt and Jordan last week, said that drawn-out Israeli inspections on aid trucks at the border with Rafah mean that nowhere near enough aid is entering Gaza. Ottawa has provided 100 million Canadian dollars ($74m), including 40 million Canadian dollars ($30m) in January alone, towards aid in Gaza since Israel’s ground invasion began. “I just came back from the region, and Canadian aid is…

French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements about the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine are dangerous, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “As for Macron’s statements, it’s something new, which is far more dangerous,” Peskov told Channel One television. “On the one hand, our Western partners are predictable but, on the other, unfortunately, they are beginning to discuss issues, such as the direct deployment of troops to Ukraine, which could cause irreparable damage to security and stability on the continent, leading to irreversible consequences,” he added. Peskov pointed out that the very fact that politicians in the West were discussing the issue “certainly…

A German naval frigate sent to the Red Sea to defend against Houthi attacks almost shot down a US drone earlier this week, German magazine Der Spiegel reports. The report said the Hessen frigate fired two missiles at a US Reaper reconnaissance drone after efforts to identify it were unsuccessful, but missed due to a “technical defect”. Germany’s Defence Ministry confirmed on Monday that there was an incident involving the frigate and a drone from a friendly nation, but did not name the country. “The case was resolved when it turned out that it wasn’t a hostile drone, which only…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that NATO is not and will not become a party to the conflict in Ukraine. “NATO is not – and will not be – a party to the war. It will continue to be this way,” Scholz said in a video posted to his X page. “We do not want Russia’s war against Ukraine to turn into a war between Russia and NATO. We agree on this with all our allies.” “This also means: no German participation in the war!” the chancellor went on to say. “And I will say clearly: as German chancellor,…

Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani and French President Emanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned the situation in the Gaza Strip and expressed opposition against a looming Israeli invasion into the southern city of Rafah, where around 1.4 million Palestinians — most of them displaced from other areas — are sheltering in tent cities. “The leaders stressed the urgent need for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, in order to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza on a massive scale and to ensure protection for civilians. They stressed their opposition to an offensive on Rafah,” a joint communique read. Al-Thani and Macron also “called…

In a series of identical letters sent to heads of states, prime ministers, and heads of organizations and unions, President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed this evening the State of Palestine’s unequivocal rejection the principles declared by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for “the day after the war” on the Gaza Strip. President Abbas warned against the dangerous implications of Netanyahu’s principles which defy international stances and efforts to achieve a ceasefire, as well as the calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid, including food, medical assistance, and essential needs. In his letters, the President…

Türkiye is ready to again host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the Turkish president said on Wednesday. In a video message sent to the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he maintains his view that diplomacy and dialogue should be given a chance for a “fair and lasting resolution” of the Ukraine war, which began in February 2022. “To achieve this goal, utilizing diplomatic channels at the highest level from every possible avenue is of great importance,” Erdogan said. “Türkiye’s support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is well known to all. We are also making…

Palestinian detainee Assef Al-Rifai, 22, has died in an Israeli prison, the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission today announced, bringing the total number of prisoners and detainees who have died in Israeli prisons since October 7 to ten. Rifai, who is originally from the village of Kafr Ain, northwest of Ramallah, was detained in 2022 and was diagnosed with cancer. source: WAFA

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday. The pair discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in all fields, in addition to issues of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues and the efforts made regarding them to achieve security and stability.  source: Arab News

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver his 19th and 29th in Russia’s modern history State of the Nation Address at noon on Thursday. Traditionally, key topics of the address have not been made public beforehand. However, Putin said that “taking into account the domestic political calendar,” he would outline major tasks for the next six years. According to his press secretary Dmitry Peskov, Putin has been working on the text of the address personally and has had “dozens of phone and face-to-face contacts” with ministers, deputy prime ministers and other government officials. TASS will offer text online broadcasting on its…