Trump speaks with Putin ahead of Zelensky visit
Donald Trump held a crucial phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin Thursday, a day before Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky meets...
Geostrategy
US Treasury chief: Beijing’s rare earths control is ‘China versus the world’
Washington, United States -- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slammed Beijing's rare earth export curbs Wednesday as "China versus the...
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Geostrategy
Sweden to deport pro-Kurdish PKK supporter to Turkey
The decision comes after the Supreme Court in May cleared his repatriation to Turkey, where he is expected to serve...
- The Swedish government has decided to "grant an extradition from Sweden regarding a 35-year-old Turkish citizen," an official said.
- Turkey has accused Sweden of being a haven for "terrorists," especially members of the the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.
Geostrategy
Global nuclear investments increase as tensions rise, say reports
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The world's nuclear powers, and China in particular, increased investment in their arsenals for a third consecutive year...
- World's nine nuclear-armed states jointly spent $82.9 billion on their arsenals last year, with the US accounting for more than half.
- Washington spent $43.7 billion, which was slightly less than a year earlier but was still far ahead of all other countries, the report showed.
Geostrategy
Gulf nations stress on cementing unity, pledge support for Palestine
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has stressed the need for coordination, integration...
- The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council approved the foreign action plan in the field of human rights for the years 2023-2026.
- It emphasized on the completion of the requirements for finalizing the Customs Union and ensuring equal treatment for citizens within the GCC Common Market.
Geostrategy
Former Israeli PM testifies in Benjamin Netanyahu graft trial
JERUSALEM - Â Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday testified at a Jerusalem court in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing...
- According to prosecutors, between 2007 and 2016 Netanyahu allegedly received gifts valued at US$195,000.
- Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing, saying gifts were only accepted from friends and without him having asked for them.
Geostrategy
Indirect talks with US ongoing via Oman, says Iran
Iran said it has continued indirect negotiations with the Unites States through the Sultanate of Oman over its nuclear deal...
- A 2015 deal granted Tehran much-needed sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
- The two countries recently denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord.
Economy
Iraq approves budget granting Baghdad upper hand over Kurdish oil
The new bill earmarked 12.7 percent of the budget to the oil-rich autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. It follows...
- The 198.9 trillion dinar ($153 billion) budget -- valid for three years though subject to future amendments -- also sets out record spending on public wages
- Lawmakers approved the bill after days of voting and months of wrangling over its articles in a country long accustomed to budget delays
Geostrategy
SEWA, US delegation explore collaboration in innovation, sustainability
Sharjah, UAE - Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, Director-General of SEWA Sunday discussed the authority's initiatives to reduce emissions and...
- The two discussed the authority's initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change and its vision for the upcoming COP28 conference.
- They also explored potential collaborations between the authority and American companies in innovation and sustainable development.
Geostrategy
Kuwait urges Europe to facilitate Schengen visas for its citizens
Kuwait-- Kuwait has urged European states to facilitate the granting of Schengen visas for Kuwaiti citizens. The call was made...
- The call was made by Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who received at a luncheon several European ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.
- The Schengen area is a group of European countries that have agreed to allow passport-holders from one country to travel freely within the area without border controls.
Geostrategy
EU offers Tunisia more than $1bn to boost economy, reduce migrant flows
The EU is ready to offer Tunisia a 900-million-euro package plus 150 million euros in immediate support, European Commission head...
- EU governments, under pressure to reduce migrant arrivals, last week agreed on steps to fast-track migrant returns to their countries of origin or transit countries deemed "safe".
- Tunisia lies less than 150 km from the Italian island of Lampedusa, and has long been a steppingstone for migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan African countries.
Geostrategy
Iran’s supreme leader urges cooperation with IAEA
Iran's supreme leader urged continued cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, while warning against succumbing to "bullying" based on "unfounded...
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said agreements could be reached in certain fields, but "the existing infrastructure of the nuclear industry should not be touched".
- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization "need not succumb to the pressure of unfounded claims and demands based on bullying", Khamenei said.
Trump speaks with Putin ahead of Zelensky visit
Donald Trump held a crucial phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin Thursday, a day before Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky meets...
Geostrategy
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Lavrov, Rubio pledge to restore dialogue and work on settling Ukraine conflict, says Moscow
The call came ahead of an expected summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin amid mounting concern from Ukraine and...
Geostrategy
Three Gaza hostages set for release after ceasefire crisis abates
Jerusalem, Undefined - Israel said Friday it had received the names of three hostages to be freed by militants in exchange...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to host Arab summit on Trump’s Gaza plan, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE to attend
Trump sparked a global outcry with his proposal for the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip and to...
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Geostrategy
Trump eyes summit with Xi-Putin, shaking up world order, Macron warns against ‘capitulation’
US president's remarks on Russia and China mark a seismic shift after more than a decade of US policy which...
- With Kyiv and European capitals still stunned by Trump's surprise call with Putin, the US president also said he would "love" to have Russia back in the G7
- Trump - who has cast himself in his second term as a global peacemaker - also said he would consider a summit with Putin and China's Xi Jinping "when things calm down."
Geostrategy
Israel says could fulfil Trump’s Gaza displacement plan if hostages not freed, Hamas says truce deal ‘fragile’
Hamas has said it would postpone the release citing Israeli violations, and hours later, Trump warned that "hell" would break...
- The remarks by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz came shortly after Palestinian group Hamas said it would not bow down to US and Israeli threats
- The truce has largely halted more than 15 months of fighting and seen Israeli captives released in small groups in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody
Geostrategy
At least $53 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, UN estimates
United Nations, United States - More than $53 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and end the "humanitarian catastrophe" that...
- The global body said in a report that a "political and security framework" must also be put in place so that recovery and rebuilding can begin
- Much of Gaza -- including schools, hospitals and other civic infrastructure -- has been reduced to rubble by a withering Israeli military offensive