Switzerland

UN experts demand probe into Israeli sexual abuse of Palestinians

Tehran, IRNA - A panel of UN experts expressed alarm over credible evidence indicating the sexual abuse of Palestinian women and men by Zionist forces during their raids on Palestinian homes as well as at checkpoints and in detention centers.

In a statement quoted by Reuters, the UN panel said their assessment is based on information relieved from institutions, NGOs as well as direct interviews from the victims who experienced abuse during Israeli incursions or after being detained on different grounds.

Switzerland: Iran's desire for 'a seat at the table' felt in Davos

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 19 (Reuters) - At a dinner in the Swiss ski resort of Davos this week, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani hosted business and political leaders to showcase Iraq's improved security and finances.

As the private event was about to end, two attendees told Reuters, news reached some guests that Iran had fired ballistic missiles at what it said was an Israeli "spy headquarters" in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Switzerland says Israeli president subject of criminal complaints at Davos

GENEVA, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Swiss prosecutors on Friday confirmed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had been the subject of criminal complaints during his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, as Israel finds itself accused of committing war crimes in Gaza.

"The criminal complaints will be examined according to the usual procedure," the Office of the Swiss Attorney General said, adding that it would contact the Swiss foreign ministry to examine the question of immunity of the individual concerned.

Switzerland: Saudi Arabia still considering BRICS membership, sources say

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is still considering an invitation to become a member of the BRICS bloc of countries after being asked to join by the group last year, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The group in August invited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Argentina, and Ethiopia to join starting Jan. 1, although Argentina signalled it would not take up the invitation in November.

Switzerland: Iran foreign minister in Davos: Attacks on Israel will end if Gaza war stops

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister said on Wednesday that attacks against Israel and its interests by the "Axis of Resistance" will stop if the Gaza war ends, warning that the conflict could heighten tensions across the Middle East.

The Islamic Republic backs Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its war with Israel, which has devastated Gaza in an aerial and ground offensive, and Tehran accuses the United States of backing what it calls Israeli crimes in Gaza.

Switzerland: Grabbing $300 billion of Russian assets is no panacea, West cautions in Davos

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Western officials said in Davos on Wednesday they were open to the idea of confiscating $300 billion of Russian assets to help Ukraine, but cautioned that the devil was in the legal detail and that, even if it could be done, it would be no panacea for Kyiv.

After President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, the United States and its allies prohibited transactions with Russia's central bank and finance ministry, blocking around $300 billion of sovereign Russian assets in the West.

Switzerland: At Davos, Blinken calls a pathway to a Palestinian state a necessity for Israeli security

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the need for a “pathway to a Palestinian state” during a talk Wednesday at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, saying Israel would not “get genuine security absent that.”

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