Day: 16 April 2024

Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated that Italy was firmly opposed to any Israeli invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, renewing his call for a ceasefire.

Tajani’s statements came ahead of the G7 foreign ministers meeting on April 17-19 on the Italian island of Capri. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7.

Tajani noted the meeting would discuss the developments in the Middle East in the wake of the Iranian response against the Israeli entity, adding that an Israeli attack on Iran would only create more hurdles to restoring stability in the region.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Kyiv, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide affirmed his country’s continued support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian military operation since Feb. 2022.

In statements following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Eide said that Norway has struck a security accord with Ukraine through which it will be providing long-term military, political, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

“The agreement demonstrates our clear political commitment to continue to stand by Ukraine, as we have done since Russia’s brutal, full-scale attack over two years ago,” he added.

He said the deal will be signed and made public during Zelensky’s next meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Its date has yet to be announced.

Seeking to bolster ties with its allies, Ukraine has signed bilateral security agreements with nearly ten countries including Britain, France and Germany.

Norway has promised 75 billion kroner ($6.9 billion) in civil and military aid
to Ukraine from 2023 to 2027.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Kyiv, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide affirmed his country’s continued support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian military operation since Feb. 2022.

In statements following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Eide said that Norway has struck a security accord with Ukraine through which it will be providing long-term military, political, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

“The agreement demonstrates our clear political commitment to continue to stand by Ukraine, as we have done since Russia’s brutal, full-scale attack over two years ago,” he added.

He said the deal will be signed and made public during Zelensky’s next meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Its date has yet to be announced.

Seeking to bolster ties with its allies, Ukraine has signed bilateral security agreements with nearly ten countries including Britain, France and Germany.

Norway has promised 75 billion kroner ($6.9 billion) in civil and military aid
to Ukraine from 2023 to 2027.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Geneva, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Tuesday that “Israel continues to impose unlawful restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance” to Gaza.

In a press conference, OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said: “Israel continues to impose unlawful restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance, and to carry out widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure,” reiterating the need for the delivery of humanitarian aid to be “unfettered.” “Those delivering or trying to access humanitarian assistance must never be attacked,” Shamdasani added.

The Israeli entity has been under an intensifying international pressure to allow more humanitarian aid to enter into the Gaza Strip, ever since Israel has targeted a humanitarian aid convoy, which killed several international aid workers.

Despite Israeli affirmations that more aid has been entering the Strip over the past few days, United Nation bodies continue to under
score that the aid entering Gaza is still far from enough to cover basic needs.

On Friday, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Jamie McGoldrick said that the situation of the people of Gaza remains very difficult, with no real improvement in the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid nor vital health care support in recent weeks.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Geneva, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Tuesday that “Israel continues to impose unlawful restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance” to Gaza.

In a press conference, OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said: “Israel continues to impose unlawful restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance, and to carry out widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure,” reiterating the need for the delivery of humanitarian aid to be “unfettered.” “Those delivering or trying to access humanitarian assistance must never be attacked,” Shamdasani added.

The Israeli entity has been under an intensifying international pressure to allow more humanitarian aid to enter into the Gaza Strip, ever since Israel has targeted a humanitarian aid convoy, which killed several international aid workers.

Despite Israeli affirmations that more aid has been entering the Strip over the past few days, United Nation bodies continue to under
score that the aid entering Gaza is still far from enough to cover basic needs.

On Friday, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Jamie McGoldrick said that the situation of the people of Gaza remains very difficult, with no real improvement in the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid nor vital health care support in recent weeks.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, discussed via phone a number of international and regional issues of mutual interest, especially the escalating situation in the Middle East.

During the call, the two presidents also reviewed the latest developments related to cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of trade, economy, and security.

According to the Kremlin, the Russian and Iranian presidents extensively discussed the deteriorating situation in the Middle East following the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus and the retaliatory measures taken by Iran.

Russian President expressed hope that all parties in the Middle East would exercise restraint and refrain from a new round of confrontations.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, discussed via phone a number of international and regional issues of mutual interest, especially the escalating situation in the Middle East.

During the call, the two presidents also reviewed the latest developments related to cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of trade, economy, and security.

According to the Kremlin, the Russian and Iranian presidents extensively discussed the deteriorating situation in the Middle East following the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus and the retaliatory measures taken by Iran.

Russian President expressed hope that all parties in the Middle East would exercise restraint and refrain from a new round of confrontations.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Islamabad: The Pakistani authorities announced that 21 persons have died and 32 others were injured on Tuesday, as a result of the heavy rains that struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan for four consecutive days.

The Pakistani Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in a statement that among the victims were nine children, indicating that 330 incidents of roof or wall collapses were recorded in several areas of the region due to the rains, destroying 53 homes and damaging 227 other homes.

The Pakistani authorities announced in late March that ten persons died and 12 others were injured as a result of the heavy rains and snow storms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.

In 2023, Pakistan witnessed monsoon rains in quantities exceeding the usual rates, in addition to the unprecedented floods caused by the melting of ice in the north and south, which resulted in the death of more than 1,700 people, the displacement of millions, and the country’s losses that amounting to
billions of dollars.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Paris, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met on Tuesday in Paris with HE Cabinet Director of the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Luis Vassy and HE Director of the Crisis and Support Center of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Philippe Lalliot.

During the meeting, they discussed the developments in Sudan and ways to address them among the priorities of the international agenda. They also discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, especially the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the efforts of the two countries to increase their joint cooperation in that regard. In addition, they discussed the recent escalation in the region and the latest developments in Lebanon.

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation voiced the State of Qatar’s thanks to the French Republic for hosting the Sudan conference, praising its success in collecting more than 2 billion E
uros.

Her Excellency also voiced the State of Qatar’s deep concern regarding the developments in the region, urging all parties to stop the escalation, calm down, and exercise the utmost restraint, renewing the State of Qatar’s commitment to supporting all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability at the regional and international levels.

In turn, the French officials expressed France’s thanks to the State of Qatar for its new pledge during the conference in support of Sudan, in addition to its joint mediation efforts in Gaza.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: HE Prime Minister of Romania Marcel Ciolacu arrived Tuesday in Doha on an official visit to the country.

His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at the Doha International Airport by HE Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim bin Yousif Fakhro, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Romania Osama bin Yousef Al Qaradawi, and HE Ambassador of Romania to the State of Qatar Nicusor Daniel Tanase.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Abu Dhabi, The Shura Council participated in the 9th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Legislators Forum, held in the Emirati capital under the theme “Building Blocks for a Renewable Future: Accelerating Progress Towards the COP28 Pledge.” Their Excellencies Shura Council Members Ali bin Ahmad Al Kaabi and Mohammed bin Omar Al Mannai represented the council at the forum.

The event was an occasion for policy makers, civil society, and the public and private sectors to discuss ways to create the appropriate conditions for the advancement of renewable energy sources.

Participants also tackled enhancing energy sustainability efforts and decentralized renewable energy solutions, among other topics.

IRENA is a lead global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transitions, and provides state of the art data and analyzes on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment.

Source
: Qatar News Agency

Gaza: At least eight civilians today were killed and others injured in an Israeli bombing that targeted vehicles in the Al Tuffah neighborhood in central Gaza City.

Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA) said that occupation warplanes bombed a gathering of displaced people near Nuseirat, while the occupation forces blew up a number of residential homes north of the camp.

Meanwhile, for the second consecutive day, the occupation forces continued to force all families in Beit Hanoun to flee and a number of youths were captured.

Earlier today, three civilians were killed and dozens were wounded in an Israeli airstrike targeting north of the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since Oct. 7, killing at least 33,843 Palestinians and injuring over 76,575 others, most of them are women and children.

Source: Qatar News Agency