News

EU insists on role in US, Russia talks

Published

2 years ago

09/01/2022

MNN

The European Union has told Russia and the United States to stop stoking division in its backyard.

Josep Borrell, who heads the EU’s foreign policy department, said during a visit to Ukraine this week that both Washington and Moscow had been creating “spheres of influence “ahead of crucial talks next week.

“We are no longer in Yalta times,” he said, in reference to the Yalta Conference involving victorious nations at the end of World War II. “Spheres of influence for two big powers do not belong …in 2022. In this dialogue there are not two actors alone; not just the US and Russia.”

Borrell made the comments as the US and Russia prepared for talks on Moscow’s proposals to reshape the continent’s defense and security arrangements. Russia wants the US and NATO to no longer allow former Soviet states to join Western military alliances.

It has asked the US and NATO not to station US troops in Eastern Europe.

Moscow says both things will help maintain balance in the region.

The talks, that begin in Geneva on Monday, involve officials from the US, Russia, and NATO, but exclude the EU.

Borrell told the Financial Times the bloc must have a seat at the table eventually, because the issues being discussed directly affect it.

He explained to Die Welt newspaper: “We do not want to be, and must not be, spectators that are not involved, and over whose heads decisions are made.”

The talks will take place against the backdrop of Russia amassing more than 100,000 troops close to its border with former Soviet state Ukraine amid talk of a possible invasion.

Russia has said it has no intention of invading Ukraine, which has said in the past it would like to join both the EU and NATO.

But Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said military action could become necessary if Moscow’s security concerns are not addressed by the US and NATO.

The Guardian newspaper said Borrell’s visit to Ukraine’s border region and his meeting with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba were part of “intensifying diplomatic activity” intended to show solidarity with Kyiv.

The paper quoted Borrell as saying: “European security is our security. It is about us. Two parties, the US and Russia, or NATO and Russia, simply cannot negotiate about this.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, said on Radio 4’s Today program he would like Western countries to hit Moscow with sanctions proactively, to extinguish any possibility of an invasion.

“The first item on this agenda is survival,” he said.

The BBC added that the EU’s frustration at being excluded from the upcoming Russia-US talks could add impetus to efforts among some factions in the EU to form an integral military force, and a stronger foreign policy voice.

World

Hamas plans to suspend Gaza ceasefire negotiations if Israel attacks Rafah

Published

19 hours ago

02/05/2024

Hamas said on Wednesday that ceasefire negotiations with Israel would be suspended if Israel attacks the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, said in an interview with Lebanon-based al-Manar TV that Hamas would halt all indirect negotiations with Israel if it launches military operations against Rafah.

Accusing Israel of seeking “to blackmail all the parties by its threats of attacking Rafah,” the official said “the resistance is still having its power to defend our people.”

On Monday, a Hamas delegation left Cairo and said they would return with a written response to the latest truce proposal.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his seventh visit to the Middle East, on Wednesday urged Hamas to accept the truce deal which would see 33 hostages released in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners and a halt to the fighting, with the possibility of further steps towards a comprehensive deal later.

“Israel has made very important compromises,” he said. “There’s no time for further haggling. The deal is there. They (Hamas) should take it.”

A senior Hamas official said on Wednesday that Hamas was still studying the proposed deal but said Israel was the real obstacle.

Israel is holding off sending a delegation to Cairo for follow-up truce talks, pending a response from Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, an Israeli official told Reuters.

Israel’s military chief of staff Herzi Halevi on Wednesday said that the country’s offensive operation in Gaza “will continue with strength” and that Israel was “preparing for an offensive in the north.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously said that Israel will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions there “with or without” a deal with Hamas.

With an Israeli ground operation in Rafah on the horizon, United Nations (UN) aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Tuesday that Israeli improvements to aid access in Gaza “cannot be used to prepare for or justify a full-blown military assault on Rafah.”

More than one million people face famine after six months of the conflict, the UN has said.

As night fell on Wednesday, Israeli planes and tanks pounded several areas across Gaza, residents and Hamas-linked media said.

Medics in Gaza said at least 27 Palestinians were killed in strikes on Wednesday, with others likely hurt or killed in areas they were unable to reach.

To speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, the U.S. military has so far constructed over 50 percent of a maritime pier that will be placed off the coast of Gaza, according to the Pentagon.

However, U.S. lawmakers have questioned whether the pier is a worthwhile endeavor. On the one hand, it will cost the American taxpayers at least $320 million to operate the pier for only 90 days; on the other hand, the U.S. military personnel could become targets of Hamas militants, Republican Senator Roger Wicker told Reuters.

Source(s): CGTN

News

Solih reassures MDP dedication to protecting workers’ rights

Published

1 day ago

01/05/2024

Former President and Advisor of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights.

In a post on social media, Solih extended his congratulations to all Maldivian workers on International Labour Day, highlighting the advocacy of MDP for crucial policies like safeguarding workers’ rights and implementing a minimum wage. He also assured that the party remains dedicated to upholding the rights of workers

The world celebrates International Labour Day annually on May 1.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Efforts underway to limit Hajj pilgrimage rates

Published

1 day ago

01/05/2024

Maldives Hajj Corporation (MHC) has initiated significant steps to substantially lower the prices of Hajj pilgrimage trips, aligning with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s presidential pledge to reduce costs for travellers from Maldives.

In a post shared on social media, Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel announced the establishment of the “Hajj Fund,” aimed at reducing pilgrim expenses while creating income-generating opportunities for the corporation, thus strengthening its financial stability. He underscored that efforts are currently underway to minimise Hajj trip costs, with an increase in real estate investments.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed affirmed that restructuring the Hajj Corporation would substantially decrease Hajj pilgrimage rates. He further emphasised the Ministry’s proactive measures under the new administration to address this issue. This year, the Hajj Corporation has disbursed USD 4,537 with over 7,000 individuals on the waiting list. The government has officially allocated 100 quotas to the Maldives to mitigate the waiting list and alleviate high pilgrimage costs incurred.

Minister Shaheem stated that if additional quotas are to be granted, private entities will be engaged in organising pilgrimage trips, adhering to the list compiled by the Hajj Corporation.

Source(s): PsmNews