Author: Deutsche Presse-Agentur - dpa
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Israel for provoking a potential regional conflict by assassinating Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ Political Bureau. Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s right to self-defense and denied any ambitions for nuclear weapons, stating that their missile program is essential for protection against threats like those faced in Gaza. Despite tensions with the U.S. and Israel, Pezeshkian expressed a desire for improved relations with the West. However, he highlighted that any potential meetings with U.S. officials would depend on the fulfillment of promises and a respectful approach. Since the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has viewed the U.S.…
German security forces have thwarted a potential terrorist attack in Bavaria, with a 27-year-old Syrian man caught planning to attack soldiers with machetes during their lunch break in Hof. The suspect had purchased the weapons but was arrested following a tip-off, leading to his remand in custody for the planned act of violent subversion. Concerns have risen, especially after a recent incident in Solingen where a Syrian asylum seeker killed three people. The connection between the two events is being investigated by a counter-terrorist unit to assess potential ties and motives. Despite having been in Germany for a decade and…
Germany Reinforces Border Controls to Prevent Irregular Migration The German government has decided to reinstate passport controls at all land borders to tackle irregular migration and address security threats. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered these controls to begin on Sept. 16 and last for six months initially. The move comes after a Syrian citizen carried out a deadly knife attack in Solingen, raising concerns about the handling of asylum seekers. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Premier Hendrik Wüst supported the decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting internal borders in the absence of robust external border security. While some criticize the delay in…
Russia has rejected the idea of peace discussions with Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Despite calls for a negotiated end to the conflict, Moscow sees no concrete path for a peaceful settlement. Russian demands for Ukrainian territory and control have been met with defiance from Ukrainian leaders, who refuse to capitulate. Recent proposals for a “just peace” have sparked debate, with Germany advocating for further talks that include Russia. However, previous negotiations have failed to gain traction, as Putin has dismissed Ukrainian demands as unacceptable. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s comments in support of peace talks have drawn criticism…
Germany reaffirms its support for Palestinians in Gaza amidst Israel’s ongoing attacks, pledging €50 million in humanitarian aid. With a total of €360 million pledged since last year, the focus is on addressing hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition, and healthcare services following Israel’s destructive assaults. The aid extends to Syrian refugees in Jordan, with an additional €12.7 million increasing German support to €63 million for 2024. German aid convoys, facilitated through Jordan, provide essential supplies to Gaza. Germany also allocates €5 million to support this crucial access. Amidst escalating tensions in Jerusalem, German Foreign Minister Baerbock criticizes Israeli provocations affecting the…
Germany and France have strongly condemned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his recent remarks suggesting it would be justified to starve Palestinians in Gaza to death. A spokesman for the German Foreign Office denounced the statements as “completely unacceptable and outrageous,” emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians in war and ensuring access to water and food. Similarly, the French Foreign Ministry called on the Israeli government to condemn the remarks, highlighting the obligation to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza under international humanitarian law. Smotrich’s comments, which proposed blocking aid supplies to Gaza until hostages were released, raised…
A recent survey commissioned by the European Commission revealed that 47% of EU citizens are “fairly worried” about the security of the bloc, with an additional 17% expressing they are “very worried”. The survey, conducted by Ipsos, polled over 25,000 individuals aged 15 and over across EU countries. Interestingly, Portugal emerged as the country with the highest level of security concerns, with 77% of respondents expressing worries. Germany followed closely behind with 54% of citizens concerned about EU security. Despite these security concerns, 58% of EU citizens remain optimistic about the future of the EU, highlighting the resilience and hope…
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need to reduce irregular migration numbers and highlighted the importance of border checks in controlling them. In an interview with the Saarbrücker Zeitung newspaper, Scholz stated that Germany intends to strictly monitor its borders to limit irregular migration. Scholz acknowledged the necessity of migration for the German labor market but stressed the importance of reducing unfounded asylum claims. To achieve this, the government has implemented border checks at various points, including during the ongoing Olympic Games and for the land borders with neighboring countries. While border checks within the Schengen Area are generally not…
Eight EU member states are calling for a review of the bloc’s ties with Syria due to the increasing number of irregular migrants leaving the country. The concerns stem from the strain on neighboring countries and the potential for new refugee waves amidst heightened tensions in the region. Since severing ties with Syria in 2011, the EU has maintained a stance against normalizing relations until President Bashar Assad engages in a political process to end the war in line with UN resolutions. However, the group of eight countries, led by Italy and Austria, is advocating for a more proactive approach…
After the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, President Joe Biden stressed the need to calm political tensions, reminding the public that despite differences, they are not enemies. In an Oval Office address, Biden condemned the violence and emphasized resolving disagreements through democratic processes, not violence. Former U.S. President Donald Trump rushed off stage during a rally in Pennsylvania. (EPA Photo) The suspect, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents after the attack. Biden urged against assumptions about the shooter’s motives and announced an independent review of rally security. Despite past rivalry, Biden had a cordial conversation…