July 2020. Iran’s supreme leader told Iraq’s visiting premier on Tuesday that Tehran will exact revenge from the US over the killing of a top general earlier this year, but said his country will not interfere in Baghdad’s relations with Washington. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi of Iraq met Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Iranian capital… Continue reading Jul 2020. Crisis in Iraq
Category: News and Politics
Jul 2020. The Libya Conflict Part 2
July 2020. Libya looks to be at the end of one bleak chapter, but there is no guarantee that the next will be any better for a country that has been torn to pieces by civil war and foreign intervention since Col Muammar Gaddafi met his grisly death in 2011. Since last year Gen Khalifa… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Libya Conflict Part 2
Jul 2020. The Crisis in Mali
July 2020. Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari announced his first trip in months as the presidency confirmed he was joining four other presidents to salvage peace talks in Mali. Regional mediators are stepping up efforts today in the West African country where the political opposition has renewed its call for protests so that President Ibrahim Boubcar… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Crisis in Mali
Jul 2020. Hong Kong Extradition Suspended
July 2020. The UK government will suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong “immediately and indefinitely”. Announcing the move, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK “wants a positive relationship” with China. But he said the “imposition” of the new security law in Hong Kong by Beijing was a “serious violation” of the country’s international… Continue reading Jul 2020. Hong Kong Extradition Suspended
Jul 2020. EU Coronavirus Talks on Day 4
July 2020. EU leaders have struck a deal on a huge post-coronavirus recovery package following a fourth night of talks. It involves €750bn (£677bn; $859bn) in grants and loans to counter the impact of the pandemic in the 27-member bloc. The talks saw a split between nations hardest hit by the virus and so-called “frugal”… Continue reading Jul 2020. EU Coronavirus Talks on Day 4
Jul 2020. Belarus Elections
July 2020. President Alexander Lukashenko had three main rivals in the presidential election next month. Two were jailed. One was denied registration as a candidate. The top challenger now is a woman — so, to Belarus’s longtime leader, she didn’t really count as a threat. A female president “would collapse, poor thing,” Lukashenko said on… Continue reading Jul 2020. Belarus Elections
Jul 2020. The Lebanon Crisis
July 2020. Hundreds of demonstrators angered by a deepening economic crisis rallied across Lebanon for a third consecutive day on Saturday, after violent overnight riots sparked condemnation from the political elite. Protesting against the surging cost of living and the government’s apparent impotence in the face of Lebanon’s worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Lebanon Crisis
Jul 2020. UK – China Tensions
July 2020. Britain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told parliament the treaty would be suspended immediately and an arms embargo would be extended… Continue reading Jul 2020. UK – China Tensions
Jul 2020. The Libya Conflict Part 1
July 2020. Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has regained full control of Tripoli after recapturing the capital’s airport. Gen Khalifa Haftar’s forces have been besieging the city since April 2019. But intensified military support from Turkey helped government forces drive Gen Haftar’s Russian-backed troops back from the frontlines. A new diplomatic effort is… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Libya Conflict Part 1
Jul 2020. Azerbaijan – Armenia Part 2
July 2020. Fierce fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued for a fifth day on Thursday, with at least 16 soldiers on both sides killed. Both sides also reported the other attacking civilian settlements in what appears to be a widening conflict. The Azerbaijani authorities said that Armenian artillery fire killed one civilian, Aziz Azizov of the village… Continue reading Jul 2020. Azerbaijan – Armenia Part 2