Netanyahu says Trump meeting could ‘advance’ Gaza ceasefire deal ahead of Doha talks
Speaking before boarding Israel's state jet bound for Washington, Netanyahu said: "We are working to achieve this deal that we...
Geostrategy
Israel minister says army will ‘ensure Iran cannot threaten’ country again
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army must draw up a plan to prevent Iran from threatening Israel again...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Facebook allows calls for violence against ‘Russian invaders’
Facebook has temporarily eased its policy on violent speech after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, allowing statements like "death to Russian...
- Besides unprecedented sanctions, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also led to a surge of online anger and debates.
- The policy decision from Facebook and Instagram's parent Meta was met immediately with controversy, but the social media giant defended its change.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia rescued 2 US women from Houthi rebels in Yemen
The women were evacuated to the Saudi capital Riyadh, where they were met by US officials and received health checks.
- The young women were ‘mistreated and had restrictions imposed on their movements’
- They were visiting relatives in Sanaa, which was seized by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in 2014
Economy
IMF expects to cut global growth forecast due to Ukraine war
The IMF in January cut the global growth forecast for 2022 to 4.4 percent due to the Omicron variant of...
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and sanctions that include a US ban on Russian oil imports, are spilling over to the global economy
- These are causing costs for energy and other key commodities like wheat, fertilizers and metals to surge, the IMF has said
Geostrategy
Russia, Ukraine fail to make progress at ‘difficult’ Turkey talks
Russia and Ukraine on Thursday failed to find a breakthrough on a ceasefire and other humanitarian issues at the first...
- Kuleba said "no progress" had been achieved on even a 24-hour ceasefire, expressing frustration that "it seems that there are other decision-makers for this matter in Russia."
- He also repeated his vow that the country will not give in, saying "I want to repeat that Ukraine has not surrendered, does not surrender, and will not surrender."
Geostrategy
Iran says US made ‘new demands’ in nuclear talks
Tehran is locked in negotiations with world powers to revive the nuclear deal that offered it sanctions relief in return...
- Tehran is locked in negotiations with world powers to revive the nuclear deal that offered it sanctions relief in return for curbs on its atomic programme
- Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in major state policies, meanwhile, stressed his country will not give up on elements of "national strength"
Economy
UAE reaffirms commitment to OPEC+ pact, production adjustments
The United Arab Emirates on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to OPEC+ alliance agreements, a day after an envoy said it...
- A surge in prices and supply fears following Russia's invasion of Ukraine have led to calls for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase output.
- The OPEC+ group plans to boost production by just 400,000 barrels a day in April, the same pace as in recent months.
Geostrategy
UN tribunal convicts two in 2005 killing of former Lebanon PM Hariri
A UN-backed tribunal on Thursday found two Hezbollah members guilty on appeal for the 2005 death of former Lebanese prime...
- Appeals judges at the Netherlands-based court said trial judges "erred" in 2020 by acquitting the two men---Hassan Habib Merhi and Hussein Oneissi.
- Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah movement, refused to hand over any of the suspects or to recognize the UN-backed court.
Geostrategy
Iran blames US for working to ‘complicate’ nuclear talks
Iran on Thursday accused the United States of working to "complicate" efforts to restore a 2015 nuclear deal, after new...
- It came on the day Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed that his country will not give up on elements of "national strength"
- Tehran is locked in negotiations with world powers to revive the nuclear deal that offered it sanctions relief in return for curbs on its atomic program
Geostrategy
Russia accuses US of funding biological weapons research in Ukraine
Russia on Thursday accused the US of funding research into the development of biological weapons in Ukraine, as Moscow stepped...
- Russian defense ministry said that "the purpose of this was to establish a mechanism for the stealthy spread of deadly pathogens
- Both Washington and Kyiv have denied the existence of laboratories intended to produce biological weapons in the country
Economy
Ukraine war affects green energy transition
The EU, IEA, and NGOs stress that the development of renewable energy sources and biogas must be accelerated.
- The global demand for the dirty fossil fuel reached a historic high in 2021 as several countries including China prefer it to pricier gas
- Some countries could burn coal for longer, using it to transition to renewable energy sources without passing through a gas-power phase
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Netanyahu says Trump meeting could ‘advance’ Gaza ceasefire deal ahead of Doha talks
Speaking before boarding Israel's state jet bound for Washington, Netanyahu said: "We are working to achieve this deal that we...
Geostrategy
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Iran puts three satellites simultaneously into orbit
Western governments including the United States have repeatedly warned Iran against such launches, saying the same technology can be used...
Geostrategy
UN chief asks donors for ‘continuity’ in Gaza agency operations
The row between Israel and UNRWA follows the UN's ICJ ruling that Israel must prevent possible acts of genocide in...
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Israel to stop UN agency’s activities in Gaza after war
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on UNRWA Commissioner-General to quit his post. Katz said in a statement that the...
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Geostrategy
US troops destroy Houthi’s anti-ship missile in Yemen
US forces struck an anti-ship missile in Houthi-held Yemen that they said was ready to fire, hours after the Iran-backed...
- The US has also carried out a series of unilateral air raids, but the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks.
- The Houthis' Al-Masirah television said the US and the UK launched two air strikes on the port of Ras Issa in Yemen's Hodeida province.
Geostrategy
UK expresses concern over UN court decision on Gaza
The British government said it had "considerable concerns" about a ruling by the United Nation's top court that Israel should...
- "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with IHL (international humanitarian law)," the British spokesperson said.
- The Foreign Office, however, added that it welcomed the ICJ's call for the immediate release of hostages and to get more aid into Gaza.
Geostrategy
Baghdad, Washington to discuss removal of foreign troops from Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq - Iraq and the United States on Saturday held a "first round" of talks on the future of American...
- Washington had said that it had agreed with Baghdad on the launch of "expert working groups of military and defense professionals".
- The talks, planned for months, come at a time of heightened tensions in Iraq and the region linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.