Author: Steven Sahiounie

Official data showed today, Tuesday, that the value of Saudi Arabia’s oil exports in June increased 123% to $16.4 billion, while non-oil exports increased by around 41%. Overall exports increased by nearly 92% in June compared to a year earlier when international trade was curbed due to lockdowns and travel disruptions related to the coronavirus pandemic, said the General Authority for Statistics. Oil exports were counted for 72% of total exports in June, up from 62% in June last year, it said. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, was affected last year as oil prices plummeted and COVID-19 pandemic…

Yesterday, Tuesday, the World Bank announced the suspension of aid to Afghanistan after the “Taliban” took power in the country, noting that at the same time, it is in search of ways to continue to support the Afghan people. “We have paused disbursements in our operations in Afghanistan and we are closely monitoring and assessing the situation in line with our internal policies and procedures,” a World Bank spokesperson told the AFP. She also cited concerns over how the Taliban’s takeover will impact “the country’s development prospects.” The spokesperson did not clarify how much the World Bank was supposed to pay…

On Wednesday, China lifted health restrictions imposed on one of the largest ports in the world, partially suspended since August after the emergence of the coronavirus. Ningbo Zhoushan, 250 kilometers south of Shanghai, is one of China’s major shipping ports. Last year, 1.2 billion tons of goods passed through this port, which is the third in the world for exports. After a port worker was detected positive for the virus, the Mechane Fee terminal, which was capable of accomodating ten million containers, was closed. The public television CCTV, citing a memorandum issued by the local authorities, stated that health restrictions imposed…

US President Joe Biden said that the success of the airlift mission in Afghanistan will largely depend on the cooperation of the “Taliban” Movement, adding that he asked military leaders to have a plan prepared for the possibility of adjusting the schedule if necessary. Biden confirmed that his country is on its way to complete the evacuation operations by August 31, expressing his determination to fulfill the task, yet only if the Taliban continues to cooperate. He also pointed out that any delay in the evacuation process puts the forces at risk.  In this context, Biden said, “Every day we’re…

The Kingdom of Morocco announced that it “regrets” Algeria’s decision to cut diplomatic ties. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry’s statement read, “Morocco has taken note of the unilateral decision of the Algerian authorities to sever diplomatic relations with Morocco starting this day,” rejecting the pretexts underlying Algeria’s decision. In the first reaction to Algeria’s decision, the Arab Parliament called on Morocco and Algeria to allow brotherly ties between the two countries to prevail, stating that the ties between the two countries demand that they show restraint and avoid escalating tensions. Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra announced on Tuesday that his country has severed…

Israeli occupation PM Naftali Bennett said in an interview for The New York Times ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden that he opposes any US efforts to restore a nuclear deal with Iran and that he will continue covert Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli PM also ruled out peace talks with the Palestinians, explaining that he would expand settlements in the West Bank. The newspaper reported that Bennett’s policies differ little from those of his predecessor, Netanyahu, and that as the former prepares to meet the US President at the White House tomorrow, Thursday, he intends…

The Yemen Supreme Political Council President, Mahdi al-Mashat, received a thank-you letter from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in reply to his congratulatory letter on his victory in the presidential elections. Al-Masirah reported that the Iranian President lauded the steadfastness of the Yemeni people against the aggression for the 7th year in a row, stressing his country’s solidarity with the Yemeni people’s plight in their battle against the brutal blockade and acts of aggression. He also stressed his keenness on expanding the horizons of cooperation between the two brotherly countries and peoples in different fields, in service of their common interests. The Iranian…

On Wednesday morning, Osama Khaled Duaij (32 years), from the Jabalia refugee camp, was martyred in the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The young Palestinian succumbed to wounds he sustained after Israeli occupation forces shot him during a peaceful demonstration east of Gaza City. The “Hamas” Movement mourned Martyr Duaij, stressing that the Palestinian people will continue to resist the occupation by all methods and means in the West Bank, occupied Al-Quds, and the Gaza Strip until the demands and goals of the Palestinians are achieved. The Movement said that the ongoing resistance in Jenin and Nablus, the popular demonstrations in…

Militants opened fire in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, wounding a number of civilians who had gathered near the Saraya checkpoint waiting to return to their homes. According to local sources, the militants attacked the city with mortar shells “as part of an attempt to disrupt efforts which aim to eliminate the existence of armed groups in the area”. On Tuesday, the first batch of militants who rejected settlements began departing Daraa al-Balad north of Syria. According to Al Mayadeen correspondent, “the militants’ evacuation occurred “in line with the deal made by the Russian negotiator.” The Syrian army deployed military reinforcements…

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia is ready to strengthen communication with China in regard to the developments in Afghanistan. Putin made the remarks in a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Kremlin stated that the Afghani issue has been deeply discussed, calling for an efficient joint response to potential cross-border challenges and threats. The heads of the state urged the importance of bringing peace to Afghanistan as soon as possible, preventing instability from spreading to neighboring regions, and agreeing to intensify bilateral relations and close coordination, primarily through foreign ministries. On his account, Kremlin spokesman…