Strait of Hormuz reopened, Iran and U.S. say - Middle East conflict on 17 April
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Su...
Spain has condemned the U.S. decision to revoke visas for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials, calling it “unacceptable” and urging the European Union to take a leading role in defending Palestinian representation at the UN.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, told reporters ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen that it was unacceptable for the Palestinian delegation or Abbas himself to be barred from attending the UN General Assembly. He stressed that the EU must be at the forefront of defending their rights.
Albares emphasised the need for the EU to take more decisive action in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, stating that “the time for words is over; it is now time for action.” He added that the EU can only engage with Israel on the basis of human rights and must act to prevent mass violations.
The Spanish-proposed action plan includes four key measures:
Impose an EU-wide arms embargo on sales to Israel;
Sanction anyone seeking to undermine the two-state solution;
Provide stronger financial support to the Palestinian National Authority;
Comply with all rulings and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice, halt trade in products from illegal settlements, and fully suspend the EU–Israel agreement.
Albares also stressed that the EU would implement this plan in accordance with its own legislation and international law and intends to continue pushing these initiatives forward.
Spain’s stance aims to send a clear message of support for Palestinian representation at the UN in response to the U.S. visa restrictions.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Supreme Leader in air strikes, triggering the Middle East conflict, at the end of February. A U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in force.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
European leaders have set out plans for a coordinated defensive mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once security conditions allow, following talks involving more than 40 countries.
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Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.
AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unlawfully collected tariffs.
More than half of Haiti’s population is facing acute food insecurity, prompting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to warn that recent progress in tackling hunger remains fragile and could quickly be reversed without urgent support.
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