Israeli troops shoot dead three Palestinians in West Bank
Residents told AFP that Israeli forces entered Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp just after midnight (2200 GMT on Tuesday)...Geostrategy
UN Palestinian agency chief says funding secured until end of May
Gaza has endured almost six months of war and a siege that has cut off most food, water, fuel and...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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
August signing of Chad peace plan expected in Qatar: sources
Qatar seeks to hold a ministerial summit in early August to seal an accord between Chad's military government and opposition...The Gulf state's mediators will meet with rebel negotiators this week in a bid to sway holdout groups
Diplomats monitoring the talks say there has been progress and a majority of groups have agreed to sign an accord
US envoy pushes Lebanon-Israel talks over maritime dispute
US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut Sunday to push talks to resolve a bitter maritime border dispute between Lebanon...Hochstein met with Lebanon's Energy Minister Walid Fayad on Sunday, and is scheduled to meet with President Michel Aoun and prime minister Najib Mikati the following day
The maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel escalated in early June, after Israel moved a production vessel to the Karish offshore field, partly claimed by Lebanon
Yair Lapid urges UN to disband rights panel investigating Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Sunday upped pressure on the United Nations to disband a commission investigating Israel, appealing...The Commission of Inquiry (COI) investigating abuses in Israel and the Palestinian territories was created by the UN Human Rights Council last year
Commission chief defended Kothari's comment and said it reflected the "commission's disappointment with the continued lack of cooperation" from Israel with its investigation
