Trump’s envoy Witkoff holds talks in Israel on ceasefire as Gaza criticism mounts
Witkoff has been the top US representative in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas but the discussions broke down last...
Geostrategy
Gaza famine warning as Israel resists ceasefire calls, UNICEF says time running out
"We need to flood Gaza with large-scale food aid, immediately and without obstruction, and keep it flowing each and every...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Iraq tensions soar as protesters rally against parliament occupation
Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad Monday in counter-protests as rival supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada...
- Sadr's supporters on Saturday breached the normally high-security Green Zone also home to government buildings and embassies
- In multi-confessional and multi-ethnic Iraq, government formation has involved complex negotiations since a 2003 US-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein
Economy
A year on, Iran’s Raisi faces economy in trouble
Having pledged to help especially the poor, the ultraconservative cleric now faces runaway consumer prices that have sparked protests.
- Having pledged to help especially the poor, the ultraconservative cleric now faces runaway consumer prices that have sparked protests
- Raisi was elected in June last year in a ballot for which less than half of voters turned up, after his major rivals had been disqualified by electoral bodies
Geostrategy
Iran sees way out of nuclear talks deadlock after fresh EU proposal
Iran said Monday it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled...
- Josep Borrell submitted a new draft text and urged the different sides to accept it or "risk a dangerous nuclear crisis"
- Qatar hosted indirect talks between US and Iran in a bid to get the Vienna process back on track but the discussion broke up after two days without any breakthrough
Geostrategy
US kills Al-Qaeda chief in Kabul drone strike
President Joe Biden announced Monday that the United States had killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the world's most...
- A senior administration official said Zawahiri was on the balcony of a house in Kabul when he was targeted with two Hellfire missiles
- It was the first known over-the-horizon strike by the United States on an Al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan since American forces withdrew from the country on August 31, 2021
Interview
Here’s why Saudi Arabia is buying more Russian oil
The Kingdom has for several years imported Russian oil, which helps to reduce its need to refine crude for products...
- The Kingdom’s crude imports from Russia allow it to free up its own oil for export to reap profits from the record-high prices in the global market, Pat Thaker of EIU tells TRENDS
- Saudi Arabia, the latest data suggest, imported 647,000 tonnes, or 48,000 barrels per day (bpd), of fuel oil from Russia via Russian and Estonian ports in April-June this year
Geostrategy
Counter protests in Iraq as pro Sadr protestors occupy Parliament
On Monday afternoon, large numbers of security forces set up roadblocks in a bid to contain the counter-protests.
- A political standoff, almost 10 months after Iraqis went to the polls, pits two key factions among country's majority Shiite population.
- Sadr's supporters on Saturday breached the normally high-security Green Zone -- also home to government buildings and embassies.
Geostrategy
Focus on OPEC+ in Wednesday meet as crude prices surge
The 13 core members of OPEC find themselves at a crossroads. After the drastic output cuts they agreed to in...
- According to the London-based research institute Energy Aspects, OPEC+ could adjust its current agreement in order to keep raising crude production volumes.
- Any decision on Wednesday will have to be unanimous, which may lead to a longer meeting than normal.
Geostrategy
Iran says ‘optimistic’ after European Union proposal for nuclear deal
Iran said Monday it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled...
- The comment comes after EU foreign policy chief and coordinator of the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, Josep Borrell, last Tuesday submitted a new draft text.
- Negotiations in Vienna began in April 2021 to restore the deal, but have stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.
Geostrategy
American envoy hopeful on Lebanon-Israel maritime border talks
"I remain optimistic that we can make continuous progress as we have over the last several weeks and I look...
- The dispute between the neighbours escalated in early June, after Israel moved a production vessel near the Karish offshore field, which is partly claimed by Lebanon.
- Lebanon initially demanded 860 square km of territory in the disputed maritime area but then asked for an additional 1,430 square km, including part of the Karish field.
Business
Algeria eyeing entry into Russia-linked BRICS group
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has suggested that his country, Africa's largest natural gas exporter, could join the BRICS economic group...
- Tebboune's comment of joining BRICS came after Russian President called on BRICS leaders to move towards "formation of a multipolar system of inter-government relations"
- The President participated in a BRICS virtual summit at the end of June, when Putin called on leaders of the group to cooperate in the face of "selfish actions" from the West
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Trump’s envoy Witkoff holds talks in Israel on ceasefire as Gaza criticism mounts
Witkoff has been the top US representative in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas but the discussions broke down last...
Geostrategy
Company News
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Israeli strike near Gaza’s Rafah hospital kills 11
A paramedic was among those killed and children were wounded in the blast close to the Emirati Maternity Hospital, ministry...
Geostrategy
Trump wins vote in 3 states, edging toward nomination
The voting Saturday in Missouri, Michigan and Idaho were hybrid internal elections with differing rules, in some cases reflecting rifts...
Geostrategy
SpaceX launch taking crew to ISS delayed again by weather
Hours before Saturday night's scheduled launch, SpaceX posted on X that "elevated winds" forced the delay. It was the latest...
Science
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Geostrategy
Israel accepts ceasefire deal with Hamas: US official
A senior US official told reporters that the framework agreement envisages a six-week cessation of hostilities, which could begin immediately...
- The announcement came after US military cargo planes dropped aid into Gaza
- The UN has warned of famine in Gaza as Israel killed more than 100 people collecting food
Geostrategy
US military begins dropping aid into war-torn Gaza
Israel's top ally the United States said it began air-dropping aid into war-ravaged Gaza, as the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry...
- It also comes as negotiations continue for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
- US Central Command said the operation was conducted together with Jordan and saw planes drop “over 38,000 meals along the coastline of Gaza.”
Geostrategy
Hamas team heads to Cairo for new truce talks
Palestinian Territories - A Hamas delegation was expected to fly to Cairo on Saturday for talks on a truce in...
- The source said the delegation would submit Hamas's "official answer" to a proposal thrashed out with Israeli negotiators in Paris late last month.
- A Hamas source told AFP that under the proposal, a truce would last for six weeks, with Hamas releasing 42 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.