Jordan-EU Talks, Egypt-EU Cooperation, U.S.-Cyprus Defense Pact, Dutch Court’s Verdict, and UN's Polio Campaign Amid Gaza Crisis: A Global Roundup
Jordan and Egypt discuss strengthening ties with the EU and addressing Gaza crisis, while Cyprus and the US sign strategic defense pact; a Dutch court convicts Pakistani men for plotting murder.
On September 9, 2024, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi hosted EU observers, including Zeljana Zovko, Vice President of the European Parliament, in Amman to discuss strengthening Jordan-EU ties ahead of the kingdom's parliamentary elections. They also addressed EU aid for Jordan’s economy, a ceasefire, and humanitarian aid in Gaza amidst escalating Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
Following this, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in Cairo to talk about Egypt-EU cooperation and the regional Gaza crisis. Both leaders emphasized their resolve to enhance cooperation across sectors like investment, trade, and energy, while pressing for international intervention to end the Gaza humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, Cyprus and the United States have bolstered their partnership by signing a strategic defense pact. This agreement, which follows the lifting of a long-standing US arms embargo, aims to improve their response to regional crises and climate threats, signifying a new milestone in Cypriot-US relations.
In Europe, a Dutch court has convicted Pakistani men Muhammed Ashraf Jalali and Saad Hussain Rizvi for plotting to murder the far-right leader Geert Wilders. Jalali was sentenced to 14 years and Rizvi to 4 years in absentia due to their incitement, linked to a canceled Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest that had sparked significant controversy and threats.
Over at the United Nations, the Palestinians have put forward a draft resolution urging Israel to end its "unlawful presence" in Gaza and the West Bank within six months, based on an International Court of Justice ruling. This move has been met with opposition from Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asserted that such rulings should be respected.
Lastly, despite ongoing conflict in Gaza, the UN's polio vaccination campaign has successfully immunized over 680,000 children under 10 from September 1 to 11. This critical initiative comes in response to the reemergence of polio in the region, earning praise from UNICEF officials for overcoming significant logistical challenges.
Following this, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in Cairo to talk about Egypt-EU cooperation and the regional Gaza crisis. Both leaders emphasized their resolve to enhance cooperation across sectors like investment, trade, and energy, while pressing for international intervention to end the Gaza humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, Cyprus and the United States have bolstered their partnership by signing a strategic defense pact. This agreement, which follows the lifting of a long-standing US arms embargo, aims to improve their response to regional crises and climate threats, signifying a new milestone in Cypriot-US relations.
In Europe, a Dutch court has convicted Pakistani men Muhammed Ashraf Jalali and Saad Hussain Rizvi for plotting to murder the far-right leader Geert Wilders. Jalali was sentenced to 14 years and Rizvi to 4 years in absentia due to their incitement, linked to a canceled Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest that had sparked significant controversy and threats.
Over at the United Nations, the Palestinians have put forward a draft resolution urging Israel to end its "unlawful presence" in Gaza and the West Bank within six months, based on an International Court of Justice ruling. This move has been met with opposition from Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asserted that such rulings should be respected.
Lastly, despite ongoing conflict in Gaza, the UN's polio vaccination campaign has successfully immunized over 680,000 children under 10 from September 1 to 11. This critical initiative comes in response to the reemergence of polio in the region, earning praise from UNICEF officials for overcoming significant logistical challenges.
