Iran FM Starts Regional Tour as Israel, Hamas Announce Truce

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara on November 1, 2023. (AFP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara on November 1, 2023. (AFP)
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Iran FM Starts Regional Tour as Israel, Hamas Announce Truce

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara on November 1, 2023. (AFP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara on November 1, 2023. (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is starting a regional tour following the announcement of a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas, the Nournews agency affiliated to Iran's top security body reported on Wednesday.

"The visit is in line with Iran’s diplomatic efforts to halt the Zionist regime’s attacks on Gaza, lift the blockade and send humanitarian aid to the oppressed people of Gaza,” Nournews said.

Israel's government and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in fighting to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Abdollahian will travel to Lebanon today.



Trump Says Plans to Rename Gulf of Mexico as 'Gulf of America'

 President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)
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Trump Says Plans to Rename Gulf of Mexico as 'Gulf of America'

 President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)

Incoming US president Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" in his latest eye-catching plan as he prepares to take office later this month.

"We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring," he told reporters.

"It's appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country."