Safe-haven flows dominate financial markets at the beginning of the week as investors react to the latest news surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict. S&P will release revisions to July PMI data for the Euro area, Germany and the UK on Monday, while later in the day, the ISM Services PMI report for July will be featured in … Read more
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the U.S.-Cyprus partnership is growing stronger, deeper and broader, and that Cyprus is “an important player in the region and a partnership for the United States that we deeply value.” A bilateral agreement was also signed bringing Cyprus closer to being included in the visa waiver programme for entry … Read more
Georgian Prime Minister Irakly Kobakhidze called for a review of relations with the United States after Washington ordered punitive measures over the passage of a law on “foreign agents”.
Stacy Gilbert, a U.S. State Department official, resigned in protest after a report to Congress falsely claimed that Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Gilbert, who worked in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, stated that the report’s conclusions were incorrect. The report was submitted in accordance with a new National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden. Gilbert’s resignation came after she disagreed with the final version of the report, which she believed did not accurately reflect the situation in Gaza.
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has requested an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, causing a diplomatic dilemma for key member states who must balance support for Israel with backing the ICC’s actions. Some capitals, such as Paris, London, and Berlin, were informed beforehand about the plans, but many have not disclosed how they will respond if warrants are issued. Germany, in particular, faces challenges due to its support for Israel’s security and the ICC prosecutor’s independence. U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have criticized the move, while European countries like Britain and Italy are divided over the issue. The ICC has jurisdiction over the conflict between Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2022, despite Israel not being a member of the court. The international community’s response to the arrest warrants will be crucial for the ICC’s credibility and the rule of law.
Ukraine launched a major attack on Crimea and Russian regions with missiles and drones, causing an oil refinery in southern Russia to halt operations. Russian air defenses shot down the missiles and drones. The Ukrainian-launched drones carried bigger charges than previous attacks, including steel balls. Russia has reported a rise in Ukrainian attacks on its territory, prompting President Putin to carve out a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine. The White House reiterated its policy of not encouraging Ukraine to use U.S. weapons against Russian territory. Russia captured a village in Kharkiv region and considers Crimea and other regions part of Russia, while Ukraine and its allies reject this stance. President Zelenskiy is determined to eject all Russian troops from Ukraine and expects Russia to escalate its offensive. Ukraine lacks sufficient air defenses to defend itself, and the West is concerned about the outcome of a potential defeat for Russia.
The United States will provide Ukraine with billion in foreign military financing, with .6 billion coming from a supplemental funding bill signed by President Joe Biden and 0 million from existing funds. This support comes at a critical time as Ukraine faces a renewed Russian onslaught.
![Blinken’s guitar performance in Ukraine seen as tone-deaf by some [PHOTOS]](https://ch.jfdi.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/blinkens-guitar-performance-in-ukraine-seen-as-tone-deaf-by-some-photos.jpg)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken performed with a Ukrainian band at a bar in Kyiv, drawing mixed reactions online. The performance came during a surprise trip where Blinken met with President Zelenskiy and pledged unwavering U.S. support for Kyiv. Despite the show of solidarity, some Ukrainians felt the performance was inappropriate given the harsh reality of the ongoing war with Russia. The mood in Ukraine has turned increasingly pessimistic as Russian forces continue to advance in different regions.
Israeli tanks advanced into Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, while airstrikes targeted Rafah in the south. Tanks were trying to reach the heart of the camp, with tank shells and air strikes destroying houses. Israeli troops forced Palestinians in shelters to evacuate. In Rafah, heavy bombardments killed people, and the city remained a “ghost town”. Hamas fighters engaged in gun battles with Israeli forces in both areas. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 35,000, causing a humanitarian crisis. The conflict began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to submit a critical report to Congress on Israel’s conduct in Gaza, which does not conclude that it has violated the terms for its use of U.S. weapons. The report also reviews the use of weapons by Israel and six other countries in different armed conflicts. President Joe Biden’s national security memorandum required the State Department to report to Congress by May 8 on whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law in Gaza, but the deadline was missed. The State Department is working hard to complete the report.