Syria accuses Israel, US of trying to escalate war in the country
A couple of delegations of US Congress persons and the US ambassador to Turkey paid illegal visits to areas held by anti-Assad forces on Sunday. Meanwhile, Israel conducted airstrikes inside Syria in recent days
Destruction of Syrian economy by war and sanctions preventing return of refugees, claims Assad
Nearly half of Syria’s pre-war population of a little over 20 million was displaced due to the war which began in 2011. Almost six million of those displaced have become refugees, mostly in neighboring countries
UN Human Rights Council condemns impact of unilateral sanctions
The resolution presented by Azerbaijan on behalf of Non-Aligned countries noted the impact of sanctions on key rights related to life, health, and freedom from hunger. It was predictably rejected by the US and its allies
Cuba, Venezuela and China are rushing aid to earthquake-hit Syria. US can’t even fully withdraw sanctions
The US Treasury has issued a 180-day waiver on certain sanctions imposed on Syria to allow for earthquake relief. However, the US and its allies have yet to offer meaningful assistance to Syria even as Venezuela, China, Palestine, and others have dispatched aid and specialists
Sanctions imposed by US and allies hamper relief and rescue work in earthquake-devastated Syria
Over 5,000 people have been reported dead so far and thousands more injured in Turkey and Syria in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday
Hezbollah claims the US is preventing Iranian oil supply to Lebanon, leaving millions to suffer
Iran had offered free fuel to crisis-hit Lebanon to address shortages that have affected almost all economic activities in the country. Most of Lebanon is able to get just two hours of electricity each day due to the severe shortage
UN special rapporteur demands end of all unilateral sanctions imposed by US and allies on Syria
UN special rapporteur Alena Douhan claimed that the unilateral sanctions have hampered the supply of adequate food, basic medicines and medical equipment, and spare parts for power plants, among other things, depriving millions of Syrians of their basic human rights
Syria to hold presidential elections in May
The elections will be held on May 26 amid a deteriorating economic situation, badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic sanctions imposed by the US and the European Union and the decade of war in the country
- Brazil approves end to 6×1 work schedule and reduction of the work week to 40 hours
- Israel kills 31 people in Lebanon on the eve of Eid al-Adha
- Israel carries out sixth consecutive Eid massacre in Gaza
- Far-right Janez Janša to return for fourth government term in Slovenia
- With peace deal nearly final, US launches fresh attacks on Iran
