TEHRAN: Iran said Monday it would not be rushed into a “quick” deal reviving its faltering 2015 nuclear accord with world powers, as negotiations remained deadlocked. “They demand that Iran makes a quick decision, (insisting that) time is limited and Iran must respond quickly,” foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told reporters, referring to Western parties […]
politics
Macron says Iran nuclear deal ‘still possible’
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi that reviving the landmark 2015 deal on Tehran’s nuclear capabilities was “still possible” but must happen “as soon as possible”. Macron also “expressed his disappointment” at the absence of progress after the suspension of talks in Vienna and underlined the need for […]
Israeli parliament passes vote to dissolve, hold new elections
JERUSALEM: Israeli lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill to dissolve parliament, a key legislative step that pushes the country closer towards its fifth election in less than four years. Members of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s outgoing coalition and the opposition led by ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu have been sparring in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, since […]
US, Iran chief negotiators to start nuclear talks in Qatar
DOHA: Chief negotiators from the United States and Iran were due to start indirect talks in Qatar on Tuesday, bidding to remove obstacles that have stalled attempts to revive a landmark nuclear deal. US special envoy Robert Malley and Iran’s Ali Bagheri have landed in Doha and met officials after more than a year of […]
White House announces near-total US ban on landmines use
WASHINGTON: The White House on Tuesday announced a return to an almost total ban on the use and production of anti-personnel landmines, leaving an exception for the military facing off against Pyongyang on the Korean peninsula. A statement said the United States would align policy to “the international treaty prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production, and […]
UK PM braced for Tory no-confidence vote
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a no-confidence vote Monday among his Conservative MPs after dozens rebelled over a string of scandals that have left the party’s public standing in tatters. The beleaguered leader has spent months battling to maintain his grip on power after the “Partygate” controversy saw him become the first serving […]
Spain to tighten control over secret services after spying scandal
MADRID: Spain’s prime minister vowed Thursday to tighten oversight of the country’s secret services in the wake of a scandal over the hacking of top politicians’ mobile phones that has roiled his fragile coalition government. The affair broke in April when Canadian cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab said the telephones of more than 60 people linked […]
Huawei calls Canada 5G ban an ‘unfortunate political decision’
Ottawa: Huawei said Friday a ban on the Chinese telecoms giant from Canada’s 5G networks was “an unfortunate political decision” that cannot be justified on national security grounds raised by Ottawa. “Huawei Canada is disappointed by the Canadian government’s decision,” the company’s Canadian subsidiary said in an email. “This is an unfortunate political decision that […]
US announces easing visa, family remittance restrictions for Cuba
Washington: The United States said Monday it is easing restrictions imposed during former President Donald Trump’s administration on travel to Cuba and on the sending of family remittances between the United States and the communist island. “The Cuban people are confronting an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and our policy will continue to focus on empowering the […]
France’s Macron inaugurated for second term
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron was on Saturday inaugurated for a second term after his election victory over the far-right, facing immense challenges in foreign and domestic policy following a first term which had often polarised the nation. In a ceremony at the Elysee Palace, Macron was confirmed by Constitutional Council chief Laurent Fabius as […]