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Description: After months of trade tensions, the European Union and the US have concluded their bilateral trade agreement, where the US would impose a 15% fixed tariff rate on most imports from the EU. The deal was announced by President Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who had a private meeting during Trump’s visit to Scotland. Details around the deal are yet to emerge, however, the 50% fixed US tariff rate on steel and aluminum imports from EU would remain, while industries such as aerospace, chemicals, some pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and rare earths would reportedly be exempted from tariffs. According to Trump, the EU also vowed to invest more t
Description: Al Qaeda affiliated terrorist group, Al Shabab, has conducted a coordinated attack on the city of Maxaas located in the central region of Hiraan. The group reportedly attacked military outposts through coordinated and combined efforts of suicide bombs, armed fighters and aerial support. Shortly after the initial incursions, military forces in the region rapidly withdrew not sustaining the impact from the attacks by the terrorist group. Al Shabab also inserted itself as a dominant military player in the country, exploiting armed confrontations in the four self – autonomous regions in the country. The losing of Maxaas would reportedly impact the operability of gov
Description: The Israeli military has announced that they would suspend operations in the Gaza Strip and allow internationally sponsored air drops of humanitarian aid from Egypt, Jordan and the UK to be delivered in the enclave. The announcement arrives after a week of harrowing images from Gaza, showing what the media labeled as man made starvation, which prompted countries to strenuously condemn Israel for its actions and push for the humanitarian corridors to be opened. UN officials, however, remained skeptical, as air drops of humanitarian packages were only a temporary measure and trucks containing the necessary quality and quantity of aid were needed for the aid to hav
Description: The Tasis Alliance (TA), which is a group of allied rebel organizations in Sudan, has confirmed the formation of a parallel government, an initiative which began this year in Feb on an official ceremony in Kenya. TA confirmed General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as its commander of the paramilitary forces with Abdelaziz al – Hilu being appointed as his deputy and Mohammed Hassan al – Taishi confirmed as the parallel government’s Prime Minister. The announcement arrives five months after Kenya sponsored the RSF – led initiative to form what they called a transitional constitution as they renounced the legitimacy of the military – led government. Al – Hilu, Dagalo’s anno
Description: Tawan’s recall vote failed to oust around one fifth of the country’s Parliament, comprised mostly of oppositional lawmakers, with President Lai Ching – te aiming at consolidating power. The vote was instigated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after evidence emerged over high levels of influence from China within the oppositional Kuomintang party (KMT). KMT has continuously insisted on forming closer economic ties with China and has advocated for closer bilateral ties which was vigorously objected by the ruling DPP. KMT has additionally blocked the DPP in bringing forward legislation which would enable Taiwan to increase defense spending while som
Description: Foreign officials from the E3 group of countries met with their Iranian counterpart’s in Iran’s Consulate General in Istanbul where they revived diplomatic efforts around Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has stated that Iran was positive regarding the progress of the negotiations as they held constructive, frank and serious talks with their European counterparts for over 4 hours. The E3 officials have allegedly requested some concessions from the Iranians such as accountability for the remaining 400kg of enriched uranium to 60% of purity, reengagement with the US in mediated or direct talks, and allowing IAEA ins
Description: Australia and the UK have bolstered their cooperation within the AUKUS defense agreement by signing the so – called, Geelong Treaty, named after the meeting by the foreign officials conducted in the city of Geelong, in Victoria state. The treaty outlines the longevity of the UK – Australia partnership within the AUKUS agreement with additional investment by the UK in the development of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, which would reportedly result in $27 billion in manufacturing gains for the UK. The meeting was attended by UK’s and Australia’s Foreign and Defense officials which was also highlighted by increased participation by the UK in this year’s T
Description: In the early hours on 24 Jul, border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia expediently transpired out of control as the countries exchanged artillery fire while several border skirmishes took place at four disputed border locations. Tensions reached their climax on Wednesday, when Thailand recalled their ambassador to Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian envoy from the country which was followed by recent incidents involving the explosion of land mines reportedly set by Cambodia alongside several locations on the 800-kilometer border. Military operations on both sides rapidly progressed, with Thailand deploying F – 16 fighter jets which targeted several military
Description: Saudi Investment Minister, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, led a delegation of more than 140 Saudi businesspeople in Damascus where approximately 44 cooperation agreements were signed with the Syrian government ranging from $4 billion to $6 billion. Several sectors are expected to be impacted by the Saudi investments such as telecommunications, infrastructure development, transport, tourism, investment and banking and the energy sector. Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Moustafa, stated that private and state – owned companies from Saudi Arabia have shown high levels of interests in investing into several industries in Syria and facilitate the country’s restru
Description: Commemorating 50 years of diplomatic ties, the EU – China Summit was cut short of expectations of reconciliation. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU Council President Antonio Costa attended the Summit where several global and bilateral issues have been reportedly tackled. The EU leaders met China’s President Xi Jinping where discussions were held on bilateral trade ties, China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, human rights violations and the effect of the US tariffs. Von der Leyen’s statements resonated with EU’s current position on trade ties with China, as she reiterated Europe’s issues with China’s overproduction capabilities and monopo