Author: Gulf News Week
The meeting, in Turkiye’s Istanbul, is the first since Israel attacked Iran in mid-June backed by US strikes.Iranian diplomats have met their counterparts from Germany, the United Kingdom and France for renewed nuclear talks, amid warnings that the three European powers could trigger “snapback” United Nations sanctions outlined under a previous 2015 deal. The meeting, which took place in Turkiye’s Istanbul on Friday and ended at about 1:30pm (10:30 GMT) and reportedly lasted four hours, was the first since Israel’s mid-June attack on Iran, which led to an intensive 12-day conflict, with the United States militarily intervening on Israel’s behalf…
The ruling might set a precedent to allow prosecution of other government leaders linked to atrocities.France’s highest court is set to rule on whether it can strip the state immunity of Bashar al-Assad, the toppled Syrian leader in exile in Russia, because of the sheer brutal scale of evidence in accusations documented against him by Syrian activists and European prosecutors. If the judges at the Cour de Cassation lift al-Assad’s immunity on Friday, it could pave the way for his trial in absentia over the use of chemical weapons in Ghouta in 2013 and Douma in 2018. It could also…
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticises France’s ‘reckless decision’ that he claims ‘only serves Hamas propaganda’.United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington “strongly rejects” French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state, as the administration of President Donald Trump announced it would not attend an upcoming United Nations conference seeking a two-state solution for Palestinians. Posting on X late on Thursday, Rubio criticised Macron’s “reckless decision”, which he claimed “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace”. Earlier, Macron had said he would formalise France’s decision to officially recognise a Palestinian state at the…
The package includes radar systems, hundreds of missiles and logistical and engineering support from US personnel.The US State Department has approved the potential sale of a surface-to-air missile package worth $4.67bn to the government of Egypt, the Pentagon has announced. In a statement on Thursday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had agreed to a “possible Foreign Military Sale” of a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) package, including four AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar systems, hundreds of missiles, and dozens of guidance units. NASAMS is a US- and Norwegian-developed air defence system designed to engage hostile aircraft, aerial drones, and…
At least 62 Palestinians killed across enclave in Israeli attacks, as two more malnutrition deaths are recorded.At least 62 people have been killed, including 19 who were seeking aid, in Israeli attacks across Gaza, hospital sources told media, and two people died from malnutrition amid growing international outrage over Israel’s conduct in the war. Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Thursday that at least 115 Palestinians have starved to death in the enclave since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. Most of the deaths, which include many children, have been in recent weeks. Israel imposed a total blockade…
Analysts warn Israel seeks pretexts for new conflicts with Iran amid speculation over covert operations.Israel’s leadership views its 12-day war with Iran last month as a success – several Iranian military leaders were killed, Iran’s defensive military capabilities were weakened, and the United States was convinced to take part in a raid on the Iranian nuclear site at Fordow. But while Israeli leaders were quick to claim victory, they emphasised that they were ready to attack again if necessary, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he had “no intention of easing off the gas pedal”. And Israel is already looking…
The E3 nations meeting marks the first since Israel targeted Iran’s key nuclear and military sites in a 12-day war last month.Iran has reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium on the eve of a key meeting with European powers threatening to reimpose nuclear sanctions. Friday’s meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany – known as the E3 nations – and will include the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. It will be the first since Israel’s mid-June attack targeting key Iranian nuclear and military sites led to…
Outside US Capitol, rights advocates say Trump and Congress must ‘listen’ to Americans and oppose Israeli atrocities.Washington, DC – Josephine Guilbeau’s voice remained firm as it rose with anger and frustration outside the United States Capitol while she described the Israeli-imposed hunger crisis in Gaza. “The level of evil that it takes to make a decision to starve a baby as a means of war, as a weapon of war – what have we come to as a humanity? What have we come to as a country?” the 17-year US Army veteran said on Thursday. Guilbeau had joined several fellow…
President Emmanuel Macron says France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.France will recognise Palestine as a state, President Emmanuel Macron has said. Macron said in a post on X on Thursday that he will formalise the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine,” Macron wrote. “I will solemnly announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year,” he added. The move makes…
US special envoy Steve Witkoff accuses Palestinian group of showing ‘a lack of desire’ to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.United States special envoy Steve Witkoff has said he is cutting short talks aimed at reaching a truce in Israel’s war on Gaza, after the latest proposal from Hamas showed “a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”. Witkoff made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, just hours after the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had also recalled its negotiating team from Qatar amid the latest diplomatic flurry. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. The group…