Author: Steven Sahiounie

Over 40 tons of the precious metal were added to state reserves in October, according to the World Gold Council Central banks have continued their gold buying spree, with reported net monthly purchases totaling 42 tons in October, the World Gold Council (WGC) has revealed. According to a report published last week, the figure was 41% lower than September’s revised total of 72 tons, but still 23% above the January-September monthly average of 34 tons. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) remained the largest bullion buyer, reporting purchases of 23 tons of gold in the 12th consecutive monthly addition to…

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says the Israeli military has opened fire on a convoy of ambulances, accompanied by UN vehicles, in the Gaza Strip, as the occupying regime continues its brutal assault against the besieged enclave. The PRCS made the remarks in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, saying six of its ambulances came under attack as they were transporting critically injured patients in Gaza. “The Palestine Red Crescent Society coordinated with the United Nations to evacuate 11 casualties in critical condition last night from Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City to the…

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says it will never buckle under the pressure of incessant Israeli attacks on Gaza to release Israeli captives it took in an operation in early October. Spokesman of Hamas’s military unit, who is known by his nom de guerre Abu Obeida, said on Sunday that the only way for the group to release Israeli captives alive is for the Israelis and their supporters to accept its conditions, including the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. “Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership… nor its supporters… can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation…

British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta has given testimony to a British war crimes investigation unit after returning from a trip to the Gaza Strip, where he witnessed the harrowing ordeal of Palestinian civilians during Israel’s brutal onslaught on the besieged territory. Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon specializing in conflict medicine, spent weeks in Gaza as part of a Doctors Without Borders medical team and witnessed Israel’s atrocities during the regime’s ongoing war on the besieged Palestinian territory. Abu Sitta said in an interview with The Associated Press during a visit to the Institute for Palestine Studies in the Lebanese capital of Beirut…

The Russian foreign minister says it is unacceptable that Israel is using Palestinian resistance movement Hamas’s October 7 operation as justification for a collective punishment of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Speaking virtually at the Doha Forum on Sunday, Sergei Lavrov called for international monitoring of the situation on the ground in the besieged Palestinian territory. The top Russian diplomat also said the unprecedented attack by Hamas inside the Israeli territory did not happen in a vacuum. It was due to “decades and decades of a blockade [in Gaza] and decades and decades of unfulfilled promises to the Palestinians that they…

By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator It is the Republicans and older voters who share Biden’s blind support of war crimes and genocide in Gaza. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter in an effort to push for a ceasefire in Gaza on December 6. Guterres has been calling for a ceasefire since October 18, but the U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been instructed by U.S. President Joe Biden to never agree to any ceasefire in Gaza, and instead allow Israel the green-light to kill civilians in Gaza as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues…

The initiative is designed to accelerate the digitisation of international supply chains, enhance customs procedures Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said that mobilising global efforts to achieve sustainability of supply chains through digitisation and adoption of advanced technologies is no longer a luxury, but a key factor in overcoming climate challenges. Studies by the World Bank indicate that global trade generates up to 25% of total carbon emissions worldwide. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Zeyoudi said that the UAE, represented by the Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi…

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “I chaired the Cabinet meeting at the Expo City Dubai, in conjunction with COP28.” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Expo City Dubai, in conjunction with COP28. The meeting witnessed the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance; and H.H. Lt. General Sheikh…

President Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready to give all possible assistance to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s civilians and help de-escalate the conflict. Moscow says an international monitoring mission should go to Gaza to monitor the humanitarian situation. “Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the principle position of rejecting and condemning terrorism in all its forms,” the Kremlin said in a statement. “At the same time, it is extremely important that countering terrorist threats does not lead to such grave consequences for the civilian population.” Russia backed a UN Security Council resolution for a Gaza ceasefire that was vetoed by the United…

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday he will not give up appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, adding that the war undermined the credibility and authority of the Security Council.Gueterres was speaking at the Doha Forum conference as Washington vetoed on Friday a proposed UN Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.“I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared,” Guterres said.“Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that…