Author: Steven Sahiounie

Italy is “not at war with Russia” and has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani clarified on Tuesday. The remarks were part of a wave of denial from NATO nations about harboring any plans to deploy troops on behalf of Kiev in its fight against Moscow. Italy’s continuing support for Ukraine does not include such an option, Tajani insisted. “When we talk about sending troops, we must be very cautious because we must not make people think we are at war with Russia,” he explained. The political firestorm was sparked by comments French President Emmanuel Macron made…

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Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel will continue to attack Hezbollah positions even if a truce is reached in Gaza, but the State Department’s Miller says Washington is working to resolve the Lebanon-Israel crisis diplomatically. “We do not want to see either side escalate the conflict in the north [of Israel],” Miller told reporters. “And in fact, we’re going to continue to pursue a diplomatic resolution of that conflict. And while we saw the defense minister’s comments, we have also taken note that repeatedly the defense minister and other officials of the government of Israel, including the prime minister, have…

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Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry announced. During the call, the two sides discussed regional developments, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and efforts to deal with the security and humanitarian repercussions in the besieged Palestinian territory.  source: Arab News

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Ministers from across the globe are convening at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi from Feb. 26-29 to try to set new rules for global commerce, including reforming its dispute system and cutting fishing subsidies. Expectations for the biennial meeting are modest amid growing disregard for trade rules as the nearly 30-year-old body grapples with global geopolitical tensions and the risk of world trade breaking up.

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