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Iran-Qatar ties

Iran’s President and the Qatari Emir underscore the need for expansion of ties between the two countries in various fields. President Raeisi made the remarks following his meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Speaking at a joint press conference, they called for just and comprehensive solutions to the current regional issues, especially in Palestine and Yemen. They condemned the Israeli killing of Palestinian journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh. President Raeisi said committing such crimes will not bring security for the occupying regime, but stir up hatred toward Israel. Qatar’s Emir also called for the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice. Sheikh Tamim is on a one-day visit to Tehran at the head of a high-ranking political and economic delegation. The two sides have signed several cooperation deals. 

Honoring slain Palestinian journalist 

Thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank attend a procession and memorial service for journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh, who was killed by Israeli forces a day earlier. At the ceremony, President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel was fully responsible for Abu Akleh’s death. He rejected the notion of a joint investigation with Israel and said Palestinian officials would go to the International Criminal Court to seek justice. Abu Akleh’s funeral is scheduled for Friday. Her killing has sparked an outpouring of condolences and condemnations, as well as calls for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

UK recession risk growing

Britain’s economy is teetering on the brink of recession amid soaring inflation. The country’s official data shows the economy contracted by 0.1% in March, following a zero growth in February. The UK economy also grew 0.8% overall in the first three months of the year. The country’s finance minister blames repercussions of the Ukraine war as well as other global issues for the current circumstances in the UK. Meanwhile, the Bank of England has forecasted that the inflation could rise more than 10% by the end of the year. Experts say price pressure will probably mean the Bank will raise interest rates further to curb inflation. But still, the major source of concern for Britain’s economy is the risk of recession.