Author: Steven Sahiounie

The reason behind oil prices increase Oil prices increased on Thursday, against the backdrop of the tensions in the Middle East, but failed to recoup much of the previous day’s losses following a surprising increase in crude stocks in the United States, the world’s largest oil user. Brent crude oil futures were up 14 cents, or 0.2 %, at $70.52 per barrel at 04:38 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 18 cents, or 0.3 %, at $68.33 per barrel. On Wednesday, both benchmarks declined by more than $2 a barrel. The tension is rising Edward Moya,…

In a letter to the United Nations, Iran denied the accusations made by the United Kingdom, Liberia, and Romania that it was involved in the alleged attack on a vessel near Fujairah. Al Mayadeen received a copy of Iran’s letter to the United Nations, which Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, handed in the UN Secretary-General and the Head of the UN Security Council. Iran’s UN Representative stated that these accusations are based on mere speculations and false implications, noting that “Israel’s” record is littered with violations of international law and fabrications of accidents, thus holding it responsible…

The South Korean president’s office has announced plans to elevate the country to be one of the world’s largest vaccine producers with an investment of 2.2 trillion won ($1.92 billion) over the next four years. On Thursday, President Moon Jae-in disclosed his intention to develop South Korea’s vaccine production base, his office said. The project will receive 2.2 trillion won ($1.92 billion) in investment until 2025 and will see South Korea become one of the top five countries in the world by vaccine manufacturing capacity. Moon’s remarks were made during a committee meeting, featuring both public and private sector representatives,…

Japanese officials have extended Covid restrictions to more than 70% of the country’s population, amid a surge in infections that is threatening to overwhelm hospitals across the nation, including the Olympics hub of Tokyo. The new measures, laid out by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday, will declare ‘quasi-emergencies’ across a further eight of Japan’s 47 prefectures, with some experts in the country warning that the growing infection rate is now severe enough to warrant a nationwide state of emergency. Six Japanese prefectures are under full states of emergency, including Tokyo, where the Olympics are currently being held, as well…

Google co-founder Larry Page was allowed to travel to New Zealand after seeking medical treatment for his child, exempting him from rules that prohibit most non-residents from entry. Page went to New Zealand earlier this year because his young child required hospital treatment in Auckland, but details about his visit to the country are sparse, including where he stayed and whether he was required to quarantine. He and his child were in Fiji at the time of the reported medical emergency. Getting into New Zealand is an arduous task even for citizens, with the government requiring permanent residents to undergo…

President Jair Bolsonaro insists the probe into his claims that the Brazilian electronic electoral system is vulnerable to fraud violates the constitution, and he has vowed to act outside of it himself in response. The investigation against Bolsonaro was approved by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday. The president addressed the development a few hours later in a YouTube interview, and did not hide his anger over the situation. “This investigation is not within the bounds of the constitution, so the antidote to this is also not within the bounds of the constitution,” he said, without specifying what…

Lebanon’s president has hit out at Israel and its “aggressive intentions” after the Israel Defense Forces launched overnight airstrikes on Lebanese villages in response to militant activity on Wednesday. In a series of tweets on Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun blasted Israel’s use of force in attacking targets in Lebanon on Wednesday night. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrikes on Lebanese villages underline “escalating aggressive intentions that coincide with the continuous threats against Lebanon and its sovereignty,” he stated. Aoun contended that the assault was a “flagrant and dangerous” violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and claimed the move was “a direct threat to security…

TikTok has revealed that it is testing a new ‘disappearing’ stories feature similar to options offered by other platforms, triggering discussion about the video-sharing app’s complicated relationship with its competitors. TikTok Stories will allow content creators to make videos that will vanish after 24 hours. The trial feature was first spotted by media consultant Matt Navarra, who shared screenshots of the new option on Twitter. In a statement provided to the media, the video-sharing platform, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, said that it was “always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience.” It’s…

Iranian armed forces Spokesman Abu al-Fadl Shakarji said, “Our forces contribute to the security of navigation and provide assistance in securing commercial ships,” stressing that all suspicious acts are “under our surveillance and we are ready to respond.” In an interview for the Russian Sputnik agency, Shakarji added, “The Zionist and Saudi reports about the destabilization of security and the piracy of ships constitute a prelude to a venture.” At the same time, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh labeled the reports on repeated security incidents targeting ships in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman as “suspicious”. Khatibzadeh warned against promoting private political…

SANA reported, on Wednesday morning, that a Syrian military bus exploded at the entrance of Masaken al-Haras (Guards’ residences) near the Mashru’a Dummar area in western Damascus. A number of martyrs and injuries were reported. A military bus exploded at the entrance of Masaken al-Haras in the Mashru’a Dummar area in Damascus, according to a SANA correspondent, with casualties reported. According to SANA’s correspondent, initial reports confirm, according to a source at the scene of the incident, that the explosion was caused by a short circuit that caused the fuel tank of the bus to explode, killing the bus driver…