Fierce fighting for Ukraine’s strategic city of Severodonetsk rages on as Russian artillery levels infrastructure and massacres civilians. The city has become the keystone in a Russian strategy to control the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. Mixed reports and a paucity of independent observers obfuscate the current situation in Sievierodonetsk.
Malaysian companies, limited by a nationwide shortage of workers, have canceled billions of dollars in sales amidst a labour crisis that threatens to disrupt Malaysia’s post-pandemic recovery. The paucity of labour has been attributed to slow government approvals and stalling negotiations with Bangladesh and Indonesia over worker protections. The Malaysian
On May 30, the Sudanese government released dozens of political detainees and announced the lifting of Sudan’s state of emergency, which has been consistently imposed since the military seized power on October 25, 2021. The Transitional Sovereign Council stated that the gesture aims to facilitate a “fruitful and meaningful dialogue
Reuters reported on May 23 that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is planning an international trip to Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, and Egypt. The meetings are expected to occur in June and will focus on regional issues, security relationships, and energy agreements, according to four anonymous sources interviewed by
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has single-handedly stalled the European Union’s plan to implement an aggressive oil embargo against Russia. The prime minister cited devastating energy costs to explain why he blocked the embargo. “It was not the Hungarian people who caused this war,” Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on May
On April 2, the Israeli government announced its intention to significantly enhance the cybersecurity of Israeli communications networks in an attempt to construct an “Iron Dome” of cyber defense. At a press conference, Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel stated, “We are trying to put the right standard on communications companies in
On April 25th, a spokesperson for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) announced their complete withdrawal from Ethiopia’s eastern region of Afar. In an open letter to the United Nations, the TPLF described their “bold act of withdrawal” as a “decisive opening for peace.” As a path to peace, the
Last week, the United States announced a military aid package for Ukrainian defense against Russia’s invasion. Among the weapons included in the package were 40,000 artillery rounds, 18 howitzers, and training to operate the heavy artillery weapons. An additional aid package including 144,000 artillery rounds and 72 howitzers was declared
On April 11, Denmark’s health agency announced that they would purchase two million iodine pills to protect their citizens in the event of a nuclear accident. The pills will be delivered within three months. “The developments of COVID-19 over the past two years have shown us that it is important
Egyptian President Abdel al-Sisi hosted Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet for a summit meeting on March 22. The content of their discussion is unknown, but the context signals a sharp response to U.S. diplomatic pressure and their doubts about
On March 31, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) opened a consulate in Western Sahara, following the lead of the United States, France, and Germany in supporting Morocco’s claim to the territory. The current dispute over Western Sahara began when Spain withdrew from the territory in 1975, dividing Western
