Author: Daily Sabah With DPA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said it is very important “that Ukraine is heard and that no one forgets about it,” after his clash with his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House. Zelensky’s call for support from Kiev’s allies came after a fractious meeting with the US president in the Oval Office, which was broadcast on television. The Ukrainian leader was reportedly kicked out of the White House, while a planned minerals deal with the US in exchange for further military support was put on ice. A day before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to host…

The fasting month of Ramadan began on Saturday for hundreds of millions of Muslims. In Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, March 1 was declared the first day of fasting. The start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, which can vary by country. In Iran, where Shia Islam is the state religion and the second-largest branch of Islam, Ramadan begins on Sunday. During Ramadan, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity from dawn until sunset each day. In the evenings, people traditionally gather for a meal to break their…

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has fiercely criticized US President Donald Trump, describing the angry White House encounter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as beyond belief. “Diplomacy fails when negotiating partners are humiliated in front of the world,” Steinmeier told dpa on Saturday during a flight to Uruguay. “The scene at the White House yesterday took my breath away. I would never have believed that we would ever have to defend Ukraine from the United States,” Steinmeier said, eschewing his usual diplomatic subtleties. Steinmeier said that Europeans remain committed to freedom, democracy and the rule of law. “We must prevent Ukraine…

The European Union on Saturday expressed its “grave concern” about the repercussion of the Israeli military operation against Palestinian resistance groups in the northern West Bank. The 40-day offensive, which has mainly taken place in refugee neighbourhoods, has resulted in numerous deaths, the displacement of around 40,000 Palestinians from their homes, and the “destruction of vital civilian infrastructure,” the EU statement said. The EU called on Israel to comply with international law by ensuring the protection of civilians during military operations and enabling the safe return of displaced persons to their homes. Israel must also take firm action against settler…

Bayern Munich claimed a 3-1 comeback victory at VfB Stuttgart on Friday to go 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and boost morale for next week’s Champions League date with Bayer Leverkusen. Michael Olise in the 45th, Leon Goretzka in the 64th and substitute Kingsley Coman in the 90th overturned Stuttgart’s lead from Angelo Stiller in the 34th. Bayern’s second and third were gifts of sorts. Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel first played the ball to Stiller who couldn’t control it under pressure from Goretzka, and Coman then stole the ball from Josha Vagnoman and hit the empty…

US President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” in a heated face-to-face exchange at the White House on Friday. Trump said that Ukraine “was not in a very good position” in its defensive fight against Russia, and that Zelensky did not “have the cards” to tell Washington how to deal with Moscow to end the war. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War Three,” Trump said, pointing his finger at Zelensky as the Ukrainian leader tried to respond. “What you are doing is very disrespectful the…

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin is to meet Volodymyr Zelensky at Shannon Airport before the Ukrainian president travels to the US, it has been confirmed. The two leaders will hold a meeting at around lunchtime. It comes as Martin cancelled a visit to meet political leaders in Northern Ireland on Thursday. The Ukrainian president is briefly stopping in Shannon on his way to the US, where he plans to meet US President Donald Trump. Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday to finalize a deal on US access to Ukraine’s minerals. Martin had been due to travel to Belfast…

Spain’s consumer price inflation accelerated further in February to the highest level in eight months amid an increase in electricity costs, the flash data published by the statistical office INE showed on Thursday. Consumer price inflation rose slightly to 3% in February, as expected, from 2.9% in January. Further, this was the highest inflation since June 2024, when prices had risen 3.4%. The EU harmonized inflation held steady at 2.9% in February versus an expected rate of 2.8%. The statistical office said the increase in annual inflation largely reflects the increase in electricity prices compared to the fall in February…

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he did not remember branding Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator.” Asked about the remark he made in a post on his social media site Truth Social this month, Trump said: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question, please go ahead.” Trump said he was able to “get along with both” Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added: “I have a very good relationship with President Putin. I think I have a very good relationship with President Zelensky.” Zelensky is due to visit Trump at the White…

Ukraine will only sign a framework agreement on giving Washington access to Ukrainian raw materials, with an actual contract to follow at a later date, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday. “It’s too early to talk about money, because this is a framework agreement,” Zelensky was quoted as saying by the news agency Interfax-Ukraine in Kiev. Finalizing a contract would be “more difficult and serious, because the next contract will be about the fund,” Zelensky said. Later, on Ukrainian television, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said while a “de facto final version has been drawn up,” his country requires security guarantees…