News Bytes - Ukraine, Iran, Gaza - 17-May-2025
Trump's latest remarks source of disgrace for himself, Americans: Ayatollah Khamenei
Ayatollah Khamenei continued, "Trump said he wanted to use power for the sake of peace. He lied. He and American officials, US administrations, used power in order to massacre Gaza, to wage war wherever they could, and to support their own mercenaries."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution underlined that power, nevertheless, could be used to foster peace and security, and that explains why Iran is striving every day to boost its national might.
"But they (Americans) did not do such a thing. They used their power to supply the Zionist regime with ten-ton bombs to drop on the children of Gaza, on hospitals, on people's homes, in Lebanon, and wherever they could," he said.
The Leader then described the occupying Zionist regime as the "source of corruption, the source of war, and the source of discord" in the West Asia region.
Pezeshkian slams US contradictory statements, says Iran not afraid of threats
"No one but Trump himself believes his words against the Iranian nation; on the one hand, he speaks of peace and stability, and on the other hand, he threatens with the most sophisticated tools for homicide, and with contradictory statements, he simultaneously sends messages of peace, bloodshed, and insecurity," he said.
"We are not seeking war, we favor negotiation and dialogue, but we are not afraid of threats either, and we will in no way retreat from our legal rights."
Despite Trump rhetoric, US public want peace deal with Iran: Poll
The University of Maryland's esteemed Critical Issues Poll found that 69% of Americans want, "a negotiated agreement limiting Iran's nuclear program to peaceful ends with stringent monitoring". Furthermore, just 14% supported, "military action in an attempt to destroy Iran's nuclear program". 18% expressed no opinion on the matter.
UNICEF: Israel killed 45 Palestinian children in Gaza in two days - SabaNet
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday that the occupation forces killed 45 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip over the past two days. It called for an immediate end to the daily suffering and killing of children.
The organization noted in a statement that this is "another devastating reminder that children in Gaza suffer first and foremost, forced to go hungry day after day and fall victim to indiscriminate attacks."
Israeli drone burns down tents of displaced Palestinians in Jabalia - SabaNet
An Israeli drone burned down tents of displaced Palestinians east of Jabalia camp north of the Gaza Strip on Friday.
The Palestine Today News Agency reported that a Quadcopter drone burned down tents designated for sheltering displaced people in al-Sikka area of Jabalia camp.
The agency noted that this area and its surroundings have been subjected to intense aerial and artillery bombardment since Thursday.
Israeli airstrikes kill 13 more Palestinians across Gaza amid 77-day aid blockade
The Israeli regime has intensified its bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 13 Palestinians since the early hours of Saturday, as reported by medical sources.
The casualties included three members of the same family, reports added.
The indiscriminate Israeli air strikes have killed at least 115 people in the territory since Friday.
Yemenis condemn Trump's regional visit, silence on Gaza genocide
Crowds of Yemenis have poured onto the streets of Sana'a for another weekly Friday protest, this time voicing fierce condemnation of US President Donald Trump's visit to the West Asia region. Protesters have also denounced Arab leaders who embraced Trump while remaining silent on the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Council of Europe condemns deliberate famine in Gaza - SabaNet
The Council of Europe condemned on Friday the "deliberate famine" imposed in Gaza as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression for more than 19 months.
"It is time, indeed, too late, to draw moral lessons from the treatment of the Palestinians," said Dora Bakoyannis, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's rapporteur for the Middle East, according to the German News Agency.
She stressed in a statement that "no end... justifies the means. The killing of children and defenseless civilians, the deliberate starvation, and the suffering of the ongoing humiliation of the Palestinians must stop."
Mass exodus of Palestinians from northern Gaza after "horrific" Israeli massacres - SabaNet
Several areas in the northern Gaza Strip are witnessing a massive exodus of hundreds of Palestinians after the Israeli enemy army committed massacres that left 105 dead and dozens wounded following artillery and air strikes targeting the area since dawn on Friday.
Netanyahu calls off Vatican trip over fears of ICC arrest
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly scrapped his plans to attend Pope Leo XIV's inauguration at the Vatican, fueled by fears over a potential arrest related to a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Thousands of Moroccans organize solidarity vigils with Gaza - SabaNet
Thousands of Moroccans held on Friday solidarity vigils with Gaza for the 76th consecutive week, demanding continued support for the Palestinian cause and an end to the genocide perpetrated by the Zionist enemy in the Gaza Strip for more than 19 months.
Arab leaders convene in Baghdad to discuss Gaza genocide, regional issues
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his greetings to the Arab leaders taking part in the summit, reminding them that their meeting was being held at a difficult time in the region.
"The escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives, has dramatically aggravated tensions and enhanced many social and economic problems in adjacent countries and throughout the Middle East as a whole," he said.
Trump: Billions of US taxpayers' money 'pissed away' in Ukraine by Zelensky
"Congress is very upset about it. You know, they're saying, where is all this money going?" Trump added.
The US, which under the Biden administration provided some $128 billion to Ukraine since 2022 including $66.5 billion in military assistance, is preparing for its first arms sales to Ukraine under Trump.
Moody's lowers US credit rating to Aa1 over persistent debt increases
Moody's Investors Service downgraded the US sovereign credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, citing the nation's increasing debt as a major concern, complicating President Donald Trump's tax-cut efforts and impacting global markets.