Author: Steven Sahiounie

According to Reuters calculations released on Tuesday, Russia’s oil and gas revenues are expected to surge by 49% year-on-year, reaching 8.3 trillion rubles (equivalent to $89.4 billion) from January to September. This increase is driven by rising oil prices and a weakened ruble. Oil and gas revenues are a critical source of income for the Kremlin, contributing between one-third and one-half of the total federal budget over the past decade. Preliminary estimates indicate that Russia’s oil and gas revenues in September reached 779 billion rubles, marking a 5% increase compared to the same month in 2023 and remaining unchanged from…

Libya’s crude oil exports have plummeted to around 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, down from 1.02 million bpd in August, according to port and shipping data. This sharp decline comes as the OPEC member nation grapples with a political crisis that has significantly reduced its oil production. Data from oil analytics firm Kpler and port agents indicate that the majority of Libya’s crude oil exports this month have been directed to Italy and Greece, with smaller shipments heading to China and Canada. The ongoing political turmoil in Libya has led to the shutdown of a substantial portion of…

Gulf stock markets closed higher on Tuesday, aligning with the rise in oil prices and gains in Asian stocks, which were bolstered by widespread stimulus measures in China. However, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East limited the overall gains. Oil prices, a key driver for Gulf financial markets, surged more than 2% amid China’s monetary stimulus actions and concerns that tensions in the Middle East could disrupt supply from the region. Additionally, a new hurricane threatens oil supplies in the United States, the world’s largest crude producer. Pan Gongsheng, the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, announced plans to…

U.S. President Joe Biden urged for a diplomatic resolution as Israel continues to target Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, warning of the potential for an “all-out war” in the country. In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Biden emphasized that “an all-out war is not in anyone’s interest. Despite the deteriorating situation, a diplomatic solution is still achievable.” Biden also called on Israel and Hamas to finalize a ceasefire proposal that was introduced months ago, reaffirming his commitment to ending the conflict in Gaza. Referring to the agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, Biden stated, “It…

Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in a 2019 popular uprising, has been transferred from the war-torn capital of Khartoum to the city of Merowe in northern Sudan for medical treatment, according to his defense team. Bashir’s lawyer, Mohamed Hassan Al-Amin, stated that the 80-year-old former leader, who has been imprisoned along with his allies since his removal from power, was moved to a detention center in Merowe before receiving treatment at a local hospital. “He requires ongoing health monitoring and routine checkups. Occasionally, he experiences complications that necessitate follow-up care. However, his current condition is not critical,”…

Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firas Abiad, announced on Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday has risen to 558, with more than 1,800 injured. This marks the highest single-day casualty count since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. During a press conference, the minister stated that the updated toll from Monday’s airstrikes includes 558 dead, among them 50 children and 94 women. He emphasized that the majority of the victims were civilians sheltering in their homes. The number of injured reached 1,835, with 54 hospitals mobilized to treat the wounded on Monday,…

The European Union issued a statement on Monday, warning that it would impose further sanctions on the leaders of both sides of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The EU emphasized that it “will not stand by as a witness to genocide” in the country, which has been embroiled in a bloody war since mid-April 2023. This warning came alongside an announcement by the United States, which is set to hold a four-party meeting in New York at the end of the week, coinciding with the UN General Assembly. The meeting aims to discuss the Sudanese crisis, evaluate the challenges, and…

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking method that could protect Earth from the potential threat of a catastrophic asteroid impact. According to a new study, X-ray pulses could be used to deflect massive asteroids that are on a collision course with our planet, as reported by the Daily Mail. X-ray Technology to Alter Asteroid Paths The innovative technique involves using X-ray pulses to vaporize the surface of an approaching asteroid, turning it into gas. This process changes the asteroid’s trajectory, potentially diverting it away from Earth. Researchers believe this method could be key to future planetary defense missions, helping to deflect…

Spanish police announced on Monday the arrest of five individuals for scamming two “vulnerable and depressed” women out of $360,000 by impersonating American actor Brad Pitt online and on WhatsApp. According to a statement from the Spanish Civil Guard, the suspects contacted the two victims through a fan website dedicated to the actor. Over time, they convinced the women that they were in a romantic relationship with Pitt. Posing as the Hollywood star, the fraudsters eventually persuaded the women to invest in various non-existent business ventures. One woman from Andalusia was scammed out of $194,000, while another from the Basque…

An Yedioth Ahronoth report indicates that Israel is “open to easing tensions with Lebanon’s Hezbollah if the group is willing to agree to a de-escalation.” The Israeli newspaper, citing “sources familiar with Monday night’s security cabinet discussions,” suggests that it remains unclear whether Israel will move toward a full-scale war with Hezbollah. This follows a major attack against the group on Monday, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Lebanese and widespread destruction of Hezbollah’s infrastructure. According to the sources, “no new decisions were made during the meeting,” but Israel remains open to de-escalation if Hezbollah is willing to…