Author: Faadi Kazemi

Palestine will under no circumstances agree to Russia’s exclusion from the Middle East settlement process, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director-General Mikhail Gusman following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As Abbas emphasized, Russia “has always sought and is seeking ways for a peace solution” and is striving for “a just solution to the Middle East issue in accordance with of international law.” “And let’s not forget its role in the ‘Middle East Quartet’. The United States has always wanted to exclude Russia from this process. Under no circumstances shall we agree…

After the 2024 shock and the French elites are breaking into shell shock over the European Parliament outcome Europa’s slide to the right continues. The Christian Democrats remain firmly in power although the future of Van der Leyen and ilk is uncertain. The election had a few surprises, mainly the center left Renew Europe and the Non-attached Members (NI) and Others group. The pose with 12.50% an outlier. The ultra-right groups grouped at the Identity and Democracy Group (ID) although a minor group in the European Parliament, locally surprised many. In France, the ID block has the majority seats (30).…

Brussels/London (16/6 – 33.33) The defeat of the Russian Federation is a foregone conclusion. It is a reality. It is a must. Victory for Ukraine is non-negotiable. It is an absolute necessity. As ironclad as Brussels, London, Berlin or Washington. As ironclad as the Normandy battlefield, Waterloo, Verdun, or many other spots on the planet. We, the ones living in this generation that saw the war erupted right in front of our eyes, owe it to the young men and women in the Ukraine who gave their lives for this conviction. An excessive number of sceptics advocate for surrender. We…

Pope Francis issues a heartfelt plea for peace in Palestine, Israel, and Ukraine, urging dialogue over conflict and remembering the suffering of those affected. Pope Francis once again turned his prayers to peace in the world. Following the Regina Coeli in Saint Peter’s Square on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Pope Francis once again expressed his hope that dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy might prevail in the Middle East. He urged against succumbing to “the logic of assertion.” “I continue to watch with concern and sorrow the situation in the Middle East. I reiterate the plea not to yield to the…

All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin’s website showed on Sunday (31 March). All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. In July Russia’s lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30…

The United States has reportedly approved a plan to attack Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the killing of three soldiers five days ago. US broadcaster CBS News reported on Thursday that the White House has approved the targeting of Iranian personnel and facilities inside the two countries in response to the drone attack on Sunday at the Tower 22 base near the border between Syria and Jordan. It did not provide any further details but said, quoting unnamed US officials, that weather will be a major factor in the timing of the strikes as Washington purportedly wants better visibility to…

Kuwait’s leader Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has died at the age of 86, Kuwaiti state TV announced. The sheikh had led the oil-rich nation for the last three years after taking over from his half brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The crown prince, 83-year-old Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has been named as his successor. Kuwait has announced 40 days of mourning and government offices are to close for three days. “With great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah” a statement aired on state TV said. Sheikh Nawaf was named crown prince in…

The British government facilitated millions of pounds of payments to senior Saudi Arabian officials over decades to win and maintain lucrative contracts, lawyers representing a former civil servant accused of corruption said on Monday, Reuters reports. Jeffrey Cook, the former managing director of an Airbus subsidiary, GPT Special Project Management, is accused of paying nearly 9.7 million pounds ($12.2 million) to middlemen to win contracts with the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Cook, formerly a civil servant with Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), is charged with one count of corruption between 2007 and 2012, alongside John Mason. Both men deny the charges and…

The health authorities in the Gaza Strip, on Monday, said no fuel had reached the hospitals in the northern parts of the enclave despite the humanitarian pause, Anadolu Agency reports. Early on Monday, the Palestinian crossing authority told Anadolu that some 150 aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, including 7 gasoline trucks, as part of the terms of the agreed humanitarian pause in Gaza. On 24 November, the humanitarian pause initially set for four days between Israel and the Palestinian factions entered into force at 7 a.m., local time (GMT0500). The humanitarian pause agreement includes the release of 50 Israeli captives from Gaza in…

Political leaders in the Welsh Parliament have called for peace in the Middle East in response to the events in Israel and Gaza. First Minister Mark Drakeford said the events have a “real impact here in Wales in our own communities”. All party leaders condemned the attacks on civilians by Hamas. But Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the siege of Gaza cutting water and energy supplies was impossible to justify. Welsh Conservative Andrew RT Davies meanwhile said Israel’s right to protect its borders must be supported. They spoke in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Drakeford said…