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US suggests Ukraine consider ceding territories: El Pais

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War

Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the Ukraine conflict within a day of taking office, but has yet to elaborate on how he plans to achieve this. His vows have raised concerns in Kiev that it may be facing not only a decline in aid but also an audit of the billions of dollars it has received from the White House under President Joe Biden.

“You look at some of these cities and there is not a single building in good condition left. So, when you say “restore the country”, restore what? This is a 110-year reconstruction,” the Spanish daily cited Trump as saying in a “message” to Zelensky from his Florida golf club this week.

Earlier this month, Trump called on both Ukraine and Russia to reach an immediate ceasefire. He posted the call on his social media platform Truth Social after meeting in Paris with Zelensky and President Emmanuel Macron.

The Wall Street Journal reported in early December, citing officials, that Trump had said Western Europe should deploy its troops to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire.

He reportedly added that the EU should play the main role in defending and supporting Kiev, while Washington could support the effort without sending troops.

Speaking at his end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Russian president Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow remains open to negotiating with Kiev without any preconditions, except those that had already been agreed upon in Istanbul in 2022, which envisaged a neutral, non-aligned status for Ukraine, as well as certain restrictions on deploying foreign weaponry. He also noted that such talks would have to respect the realities on the ground that have developed since that time.

Iranian official touts  blanket removal of internet filtering, dismisses step-by-step plan as ‘ineffective’

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Mobile Internet Iran

Mohammad Sarafraz, who is also a former head of the IRIB state television and radio organization, advocated for an immediate and complete removal of filters on social networks and online stores like Google Play, arguing that the current blocking policy, imposed to contain social unrest, has backfired.

Sarafraz emphasized that the gradual lifting of internet filtering, proposed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is not effective and warned that the current widespread restriction is unsustainable.

He believes that an immediate removal of the filters would prevent users from resorting to VPNs and other circumvention tools, which have become increasingly valuable due to the restrictions.

Noting that 80% of Iranian users are relying on VPNs, he warned, “Continued restrictions could push administrative and residential complexes toward satellite internet, ultimately forcing a delayed removal of the filters.”

Sarafraz denied reports of any council vote on the matter, explaining, “The plan was set to be reviewed by a special commission, but no further meetings have taken place, leaving members’ opinions unknown.”

The Supreme Council of Cyberspace is tasked with overseeing the internet in Iran.

Sacked Persepolis coach Garrido bids emotional farewell

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Juan Carlos Garrido

In his post, Garrido expressed his gratitude and appreciation for everyone involved with the club.

He wrote, “Thank you, Persepolis. I can only thank all of you: the players, staff, and fans. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Thank you, Tehran. Thank you, Iran. You will always be in my heart. I wish you all the best. Goodbye.”

Garrido managed 20 matches this season, achieving 9 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses. His record includes victories in the Premier League, Persian Gulf Pro League, and Hazfi Cup.

According to Iranian news agencies, following Garrido’s departure, the Persepolis board of directors held a meeting on Sunday.

During the meeting, they appointed Karim Bagheri, a former star of Iranian football, as the interim head coach for the upcoming half-season until a new head coach is selected.

Jalal Hosseini will also join Bagheri as an assistant coach.

Sanctions against Syria must be lifted ‘as soon as possible’: Turkish FM

By
IFP Media Wire
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Hakan Fidan stated a lifting of the long-standing sanctions was vital to allow the country’s economy to recover after 13 years of conflict.

“The sanctions imposed on the previous regime need to be lifted as soon as possible,” he said in a press conference.

“The international community needs to mobilise to help Syria get back on its feet and for the displaced people to return,” the minister added.

Turkey has been eager to involve itself in the transition from the government of Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown by rebels on 8 December.

Earlier this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was already working with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) and others on forming the new constitution, which he described as the most important step for the country.

Although there is no overt support from the Turkish government for HTS, both parties have been engaging with each other for years.

Ankara reportedly green-lit the operation to capture Aleppo last month, leading to the events that drove Assad to flee the country.

It has also been eager to return some of the millions of Syrians who have fled to Turkey since the war began in 2011.

Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin visited Damascus on 12 December, just a few days after Assad’s fall.

He was filmed leaving the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, surrounded by bodyguards.

Yemen’s Houthis claim downing US F-18 fighter jet

By
IFP Media Wire
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Yemen Houthi

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree made the remarks in a statement on Sunday, after the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said a fighter aircraft was shot down over the Red Sea in what it claimed to be a case of “friendly fire” earlier in the day.

“We have thwarted the joint US-British attack and targeted the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and a number of its accompanying destroyers,” Saree said.

He went on to say that the operation was carried out using eight cruise missiles and 17 drones, adding that the attack forced the USS Harry Truman to withdraw.

According to the Yemeni army spokesman, most of the hostile aircraft retreated from Yemen’s airspace to international waters in the Red Sea in an attempt to defend the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman after it was targeted.

Saree further noted that during the operation, an American F-18 aircraft was downed by Yemeni forces while the enemy destroyers were trying to confront the Yemeni drones and missiles.

He also warned of further action to defend Yemen and support Palestine, reaffirming the country’s armed forces’ readiness to confront any further American-British-Israeli provocations in the future.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces warn the Israeli and American enemy against aggression on Yemen and that the Yemeni Armed Forces will use their full right to defend Yemen and continue to support the Palestinian people until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” he added.

In a statement early Sunday, CENTCOM claimed an F/A-18F Super Hornet was mistakenly shot down, confirming that both US Navy aviators on board were safe.

The Super Hornet, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement.

Since the onset of the Israeli regime’s war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Yemen has declared unwavering support for Palestine’s fight against the occupation.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have launched regular strikes against Israel as part of a phased retaliation campaign.

The campaign has also included a strict maritime blockade of Israeli shipping, effectively preventing vessels from reaching Israeli ports.

Israel has so far killed more than 45,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 107,600 others in Gaza.

Israel has broken all rules of war in Gaza: UNRWA head

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

Philippe Lazzarini highlighted the ongoing violations in the enclave, where Israel has continued its attacks for the past 14 months.

“Escalation over the past 24 hours. More civilians are reported killed and injured,” he said in a post on his X account.

“Attacks on schools and hospitals have been commonplace. The world must not become numb. All wars have rules. All of those rules have been broken,” he added.

Lazzarini also emphasized that a cease-fire in Gaza is “long overdue,” calling for a halt to the attacks to protect civilians.

Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023 that has killed more than 45,200 people, mostly women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last month for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the enclave.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza.

Historic all-Women flight lands in Mashhad

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The flight, named “Iran Banoo,” was piloted by Captain Shahrazad Shams, Iran’s first female pilot.

The Aseman Airlines flight touched down at 10:15 AM at Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport in Mashhad on Sunday, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatimah Zahra, the daugther of Prophet Mohammad, marked as Mother’s Day and Women’s Day in Iran.

The passengers, distinguished women excelling in various fields, traveled to Mashhad to visit the holy shrine of Imam Reza, the 8th Shia Imam.

This milestone marks the first all-women flight, both in terms of passengers and crew, to land at Mashhad International Airport.

Mashhad Airport is the second-busiest airport in Iran after Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, handling an average of 180 flights daily and up to 250 flights during peak travel periods.

Tehran Cyber Police shut down 40 Instagram accounts of harassers 

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Instagram

Brig. Gen. Goudarzi stated on Sunday that the investigation began following widespread public complaints about individuals exploiting social media for fame and followers. These individuals allegedly created disruptive and provocative content, often leading to street altercations.

The suspects, collectively amassing over five million followers, were summoned for investigation after preliminary inquiries. Following judicial procedures, all implicated accounts were deactivated.

The police chief emphasized that cyber police would not tolerate such activities that disrupt public peace and mental security. “We will strictly enforce the law against those exploiting the digital space for selfish motives at the expense of citizens’ well-being,” he said.

Goudarzi urged the public to report similar incidents to the Cyber Police.

Qatar warns may stop gas shipments to EU amid Russia-Ukraine war

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gas station Europe

If any EU country imposes penalties on Qatar under the bloc’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, Doha would stop exporting its liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the bloc, al-Kaabi told the outlet on Sunday.

QatarEnergy, the state-owned energy company, has long-term LNG contracts with several EU countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The EU’s corporate due diligence rules, adopted in May 2023, are part of the bloc’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The legislation states that non-compliance is punishable with fines of up to 5% of the company’s annual global revenue.

Al-Kaabi argued that such fines would significantly impact QatarEnergy’s revenue, which directly supports the state of Qatar and its citizens.

”If the case is that I lose 5% of my generated revenue by going to Europe, I will not go to Europe… I’m not bluffing,” Kaabi said.

“I cannot lose that kind of money – and nobody would accept losing that kind of money,” he pointed out.

It would be impossible for an energy producer like QatarEnergy to align with the EU’s net-zero target as stipulated by the directive because of the amount of hydrocarbons it produces, the minister explained.

If slapped with hefty penalties, QatarEnergy would not break its LNG contracts but would try and find legal avenues.

”I will not accept that we get penalized,” he continued, adding, “I will stop sending gas to Europe.”

Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU started replacing Russian pipeline gas with more expensive LNG from the Middle East and the US. The bloc still gets pipeline gas from Russia via Ukraine’s transit network but the agreement between Moscow and Kiev is set to expire on December 31. The authorities in Kiev have repeatedly stressed that the deal will not be renewed.

UK armed forces struggling for recruits: Telegraph

By
IFP Media Wire
-
UK Army

The daily noted that more than half of 15,119 people who left the country’s military forces during the specified time-frame had resigned voluntarily. However, during the same period, they reportedly recruited some 12,000 personnel, resulting in a net shrinkage of the military.

In July, the Ministry of Defense announced a 6% pay raise, the largest in more than two decades, in an effort to tackle the raging recruitment crisis.

The Telegraph noted that the move, however, failed to alter the current predicament, with new recruits to the forces remaining among the worst-paid public servants in the UK.

Inflation-adjusted pay for army privates has reportedly increased only 1.9% since 2011, versus the 13.39% and 10.14% increases recorded for new junior doctors and train drivers, correspondingly.

In May, satisfaction with the basic rate of pay in the military hit the lowest level on record, according to an armed forces survey, as quoted by the paper. The poll, conducted prior to the government’s raises, showed that only 32% of respondents said they were happy with their remuneration packets.

Earlier this month, Alistair Carns, the defense minister and former Royal Marine, claimed that the regular British army could be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict.

As of October 2024, there were 181,550 members of the country’s armed forces, including total full-time trained and untrained UK service personnel, according to the latest Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures. This marks a decrease of 2% since October 1, 2023.

In November, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense said that the current government “inherited” a recruitment crunch, adding that targets had been missed annually for the past 14 years.

“We have already given personnel the largest pay raise in decades and scrapped 100 outdated policies that block and slow down recruitment,” the ministry stressed.

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