Monday, 28 July 2025

US used about a quarter of its high-end missile interceptors in Israel-Iran war

According to CNN, the United States blew through about a quarter of its supply of high-end THAAD missile interceptors during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, thwarting attacks at a rate that vastly outpaces production.

US forces countered Tehran’s barrage of ballistic missiles by firing more than 100 THAADs (short for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) – and possibly as many as 150 – a significant portion of America’s stockpile of the advanced air defense system, the sources said. The US has seven THAAD systems, and used two of them in Israel in the conflict.

Using so many THAAD interceptors in such a short period exposed a gap in the US missile defense network and depleted a costly asset at a moment when American public support for Israeli defense has reached historic lows.

Former US defense officials and missile experts told CNN that the rapid drawdown has also raised concerns about America’s global security posture and ability to regenerate supplies at speed.

Last year, the US produced only 11 new THAAD interceptors and is expected to receive just 12 more this fiscal year.

In response to questions regarding the US’s THAAD stockpile and the expenditure of interceptors during the 12-day conflict, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the US military is the strongest it has even been and has everything it needs to conduct any mission anywhere, anytime, all around the world. If you need further proof, look no further than Operation Midnight Hammer and the total obliteration of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

CNN reported that an early intelligence assessment determined the US’ strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last month did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months.

The US administration dismissed the assessment, and the CIA later said it had evidence Iran’s nuclear program was severely damaged.

Despite the heavy use of THAADs during the 12-day war to help fend off Tehran’s assault last month, dozens of Iranian missiles still struck Israel.

THAAD is a mobile system that can engage and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside of the Earth’s atmosphere during their final phase of flight. Each battery is operated by 95 American soldiers, armed with six launchers, and 48 interceptors. The interceptors are manufactured by Lockheed Martin and cost roughly US$12.7 million, according to the 2025 Missile Defense Agency budget.

Two-state solution key to regional stability

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan affirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering belief in the two-state solution as the key to regional stability.

Prince Faisal made his remarks during the opening of the high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the two-state solution at the United Nations in New York on Monday.

Co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, the conference marks a pivotal step toward advancing concrete international action to implement the two-state solution and end the decades-long conflict.

“The Kingdom believes that the two-state solution is the key to stability in the region,” Prince Faisal said in his opening remarks, adding that the New York conference represents a critical turning point toward its implementation.

He stressed that achieving regional stability begins by granting the Palestinian people their legitimate rights, and welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent pledge to recognize the State of Palestine.

Prince Faisal also called for an immediate end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and announced that Saudi Arabia and France have facilitated the transfer of US$300 million from the World Bank to support Palestinians.

He reiterated that the Arab Peace Initiative remains the foundation for any comprehensive and just resolution, while also emphasizing the importance of supporting the International Coalition for the Two-State Solution.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed the urgency of action, condemning the ongoing targeting of civilians in Gaza. “This war has gone on far too long and must end,” he said.

Barrot urged the international community to make the two-state solution a tangible reality, describing the conference as a “turning point” that has generated “unstoppable momentum toward a political resolution in the Middle East.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres thanked Saudi Arabia and France for organizing the conference, describing it as “a unique opportunity to seize the current momentum.”

Guterres emphasized that the conflict can be ended with real political will, and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to the two-state solution.

He also condemned the illegal annexation of the West Bank, stating that all actions undermining a two-state solution must stop.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa described the two-state solution as a historic opportunity for all, and expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia and France for spearheading the conference.

He stressed that the conference sends a clear message to Palestinians that the world stands with them. Mustafa also called for Palestinian unity and urged Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

He proposed the deployment of international forces — coordinated with the PA — to protect civilians, adding, “We are ready to fulfill all our obligations in Gaza. Peace is the only way forward.”

The New York conference aims to lay the groundwork for an end to Israeli violations in the occupied territories and revive international consensus on the two-state framework as a path to lasting peace and regional security.

 

 

Sunday, 27 July 2025

Iran-Saudi Cordial Ties Upset US and Israel

Growing amicable relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have played a significant role in promoting peace and security in West Asia over the past years. Such cordial ties have come into even sharper focus following Israel’s aggression against Iran last month.

On June 13, Israel launched unprovoked strikes on Iranian territory, targeting high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians alike. The United States later joined the Israeli war effort, launching attacks on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities—actions widely viewed as violations of the United Nations Charter and the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

In a swift and powerful response, Iranian Armed Forces launched retaliatory strikes on strategic Israeli targets in cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa, and struck the al-Udeid air base in Qatar—the largest American military installation in West Asia.

By June 24, Iran’s coordinated operations had effectively brought Israeli and American aggression to a halt.

The scale and precision of Iran’s missile power shocked Israel and its Western allies, particularly the United States. 

 “Although Israel has its own sophisticated, multilayered defense, which includes systems like Arrow, David’s Sling and Iron Dome, the country was running low on its own interceptors and was husbanding resources by the time the conflict ended.

Had Iran fired a few more large volleys of missiles, Israel could have exhausted its supply of top-tier Arrow 3 munitions,” The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing American officials familiar with the 12-day war. 

The Journal also revealed that despite deploying two advanced THAAD missile-defense systems to Israel in the wake of the conflict, the US efforts proved insufficient to fully stop Iran’s missile barrages. 

“Operating alongside Israeli systems, THAAD operators burned through munitions at a furious clip, firing more than 150 missiles to shoot down the waves of Iranian ballistic missiles,” the paper reported.

The intensity of the Iranian attacks created such a high demand for interceptors that, according to the Journal, the Pentagon considered diverting THAAD interceptors already purchased by Saudi Arabia to Israel. “Saudi Arabia refused US request to send interceptors to Israel”

Meanwhile, according to Middle East Eye, which cited two American officials, the US asked Saudi Arabia to turn over THAAD interceptors to help Israel, but Riyadh rejected the request.  “Saudi Arabia's refusal to help Israel will sting officials in Washington,” MEE added. 

Saudi Arabia’s “no” to the US demand underscores the deepening ties with Iran. 

On July 8, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah. In the meeting, the Saudi crown prince condemned any military aggression against Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He welcomed the improving climate of cooperation between the two Islamic powers.

Araghchi, in turn, “thanked Saudi Arabia for its responsible stance in condemning the Israeli aggression against Iran.”

He put emphasis on Iran’s commitment to building stronger ties with its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia based on principles of good neighborliness and mutual interest.

Araghchi also held talks with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, reaffirming the countries’ commitment to closer strategic cooperation.

China’s mediation drives Iran-Saudi unity for regional stability

The renewed diplomatic warmth is rooted in a 2023 agreement brokered by China, which saw Iran and Saudi Arabia formally restore ties after years of estrangement. Since then, China's constructive mediation has played a key role in bringing Tehran and Riyadh closer together.

As the dust settles on the most intense Israel-Iran war in recent memory, the strengthening bond between Iran and Saudi Arabia emerges as a powerful force for stability in West Asia. Their growing diplomatic, political, and economic cooperation is not only reshaping the region's strategic landscape—but also offering a compelling alternative to the cycles of escalation driven by Israeli aggression.

Once geopolitical rivals, Tehran and Riyadh now appear poised to lead a new era—one rooted in sovereignty, mutual respect, and collective security. Their united front sends a clear message: regional peace is best preserved not through foreign intervention or militarism, but through regional unity and shared interests.

In a time of increasing volatility, Iran and Saudi Arabia are demonstrating that Islamic nations can rise above division and become pillars of stability—capable of defending their people, upholding international law, and resisting those who threaten the peace of the region. The path they have chosen may well define the future of West Asia.

 

 

 

 

Saturday, 26 July 2025

United States obstructing Gaza ceasefire

The Hamas resistance movement has strongly condemned recent statements by the US administration about the ceasefire negotiations, accusing it of shielding the Israeli occupation regime. 

President Trump stated on Friday, “Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die and it’s very, very bad. And, it got to a point where you have to finish the job. (Hamas) pulled out (of the negotiations).”

Hamas reiterated its commitment to negotiations and its serious desire to reach a comprehensive agreement on ending the Israeli war on Gaza.

The resistance movement expressed surprise at the remarks by US President Donald Trump, as well as earlier comments by US envoy Steve Witkoff. 

The movement stated that these remarks contradict the assessments of mediators and do not reflect the reality of the negotiation process, which it said had made real progress. 

It emphasized that mediating parties, especially Qatar and Egypt, have expressed their appreciation for Hamas’s serious and constructive stance.

In a press statement, Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq criticized the United States for disregarding “the real obstacle to any agreements.”

He also accused the Netanyahu government of creating roadblocks, engaging in delays, and breaching prior commitments.

Al-Rishq stressed that Hamas has, from the start of the negotiations, acted with national responsibility and great flexibility. 

He said the movement has been keen to reach a comprehensive agreement that would end the genocidal war and alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s population.

Al-Rishq also said Hamas’s latest response came after extensive national consultations with Palestinian factions, mediators, and friendly countries. 

The official added that Hamas had engaged constructively and flexibly with all comments and suggestions raised, including those within Witkoff’s own proposal.

In its response, Hamas emphasized the need for clear and enforceable terms, particularly regarding humanitarian issues. 

It called for an unimpeded flow of aid, distributed through the United Nations and its approved agencies, without interference from the Israeli occupation regime.

According to al-Rishq, Hamas also insisted on reducing the size of buffer zones where Israeli occupation forces would remain for 60 days and not allowing most displaced people to return to their homes.

Hamas also dismissed accusations by the US administration that the aid intended for Gaza is stolen. These claims were baseless and recently disproven by a Reuters report citing a USAID investigation, which found no evidence linking Hamas to the misappropriation of US assistance, it asserted.

Furthermore, Hamas called on the US administration to stop providing political and military cover for the Israeli regime, which continues to carry out a campaign of extermination and starvation against more than two million Palestinians in Gaza under the watch of the international community.

Hamas urged Washington to pressure the Israeli regime to engage seriously in a political process that ends the genocide, leads to a fair prisoner exchange deal, and alleviates the suffering of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

 

Ousting of female leaders to have chilling effect at Pentagon

The unexplained removal of the first female head of the US Naval Academy last week is the latest in a string of top military women who have either been fired or re-delegated to largely invisible roles under the Trump administration, reports The Hill.

The ousting of Vice Adm. Yvette Davids from her post as the first female superintendent of the academy in Annapolis, makes her one of at least five senior female service members who have been moved out of their roles since January.

That trend, coupled with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s well-documented antipathy toward women in combat roles prior to becoming Pentagon chief, could have a chilling effect on women enlisting in the armed forces, experts say.

“It’s hard not to come to the conclusion that it’s going to weaken our military force by undermining the role of women who have become, I believe, an intrinsic part of our military capability,” said Leon Panetta, a former defense secretary in the Obama administration.

Panetta, who in 2013 announced that all combat roles would soon be open to women — a shift that eventually came in 2015 — told The Hill that the Trump administration’s removal of female leaders from the ranks, often without explanation, will have impacts on morale for female service members. 

“Just to remove commanders from their positions without cause sends a clear signal that this is not about merit, it’s not about performance, and it is about the fact that they’re women. It’s the only conclusion you can come to,” he said.

Davids was not outright fired, instead moved to deputy chief of naval operations, a senior position but largely out of the public eye. But the shift was only after she had led the academy for 18 months rather than the typical three- or four-year tenure of the school’s superintendent.

Nora Bensahel, a professor of civil-military relations at Johns Hopkins University, said the fact that she was removed from the Naval Academy ”really sends a message from the Pentagon that they do not think that a woman is qualified to be in charge of educating and training the next generation of fighters.”

 

 

 

 

French recognition of Palestine: Historic shift or hollow gesture

In a bold and historic move, President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine, signaling a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy and its stance on Israel’s war on Gaza.

While the decision is being hailed as admirable, it also reflects a deeper reckoning—an implicit admission that France’s longstanding alignment with Israel, particularly amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has damaged its global reputation.

Macron made the announcement in a post on X on Thursday, stating that France will formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The decision comes amid growing international outrage over Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians since October 2023 and triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Severely restricted aid deliveries have fueled widespread hunger, with over 100 aid and human rights organizations this week calling for urgent international intervention. They condemned Israel’s blockade and deliberate starvation tactics as collective punishment.

At home, Macron faces rising domestic pressure. France, historically one of Israel’s key allies, has come under intense public criticism for its perceived complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza. Against this backdrop, Macron’s move is widely seen as a calculated effort to appease domestic discontent and obscure France’s role in enabling the continued assault on Gaza.

In his statement, Macron declared, “The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued.” If France is serious about this call, it should leverage its seat on the UN Security Council to press for an immediate ceasefire and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access.

Though Palestinians and many international voices have welcomed Macron’s announcement, it does little to reverse the harm already inflicted. Symbolism must now be matched with concrete, sustained political action.

France’s recognition makes it the most influential European country—and the first G7 nation—to take this step, following similar moves by the European countries of Norway,

Today, more than 140 of the UN’s 193 member states either recognize or are committed to recognizing Palestinian statehood. Yet major Western powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, continue to withhold recognition.

These nations are also grappling with growing domestic scrutiny. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure from within his own party to acknowledge Palestinian statehood amid the worsening crisis. On Thursday, Starmer condemned the “unspeakable and indefensible” conditions in Gaza, reaffirming that Palestinian statehood is an “inalienable right.” But as with Macron, his remarks seem intended as much to address domestic concerns. 

For now, France’s move is significant not only for its timing but also for its potential to shift the political landscape. As a major global power, France may pave the way for other hesitant Western governments to reconsider their positions.

Israel’s war on Gaza has laid waste to much of the territory but failed to crush Palestinian resistance. The resilience demonstrated by Palestinians has altered the global narrative, compelling even Israel’s closest allies to reassess the political and moral costs of their support.

Macron’s announcement could mark the beginning of a new chapter in international diplomacy on Palestine. But without sustained pressure to end the war and lift the siege, the recognition risks being remembered as little more than a symbolic gesture.

 

Netanyahu and Trump to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, both saying it had become clear that the Palestinian militants did not want a deal, reports Reuters.

Netanyahu said Israel was now mulling "alternative" options to achieve its goals of bringing its hostages home from Gaza and ending Hamas rule in the enclave, where starvation is spreading and most of the population is homeless amid widespread ruin.

Trump said he believed Hamas leaders would now be "hunted down", telling reporters, "Hamas really didn't want to make a deal. I think they want to die. And it's very bad. And it got to be to a point where you're going to have to finish the job."

The remarks appeared to leave little to no room, at least in the short term, to resume negotiations for a break in the fighting, at a time when international concern is mounting over worsening hunger in war-shattered Gaza.

French President Emmanuel Macron, responding to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, announced that Paris would become the first major Western power to recognize an independent Palestinian state.

Britain and Germany said they were not yet ready to do so but later joined France in calling for an immediate ceasefire. British Prime Minister Keith Starmer said his government would recognize a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal.

Trump dismissed Macron's move. "What he says doesn't matter," he said. "He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight."

Israel and the United States withdrew their delegations on Thursday from the ceasefire talks in Qatar, hours after Hamas submitted its response to a truce proposal.

Sources initially said on Thursday that the Israeli withdrawal was only for consultations and did not necessarily mean the talks had reached a crisis. But Netanyahu's remarks suggested Israel's position had hardened overnight.

US envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas was to blame for the impasse, and Netanyahu said Witkoff had got it right.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said on Facebook that the talks had been constructive, and criticized Witkoff's remarks as aimed at exerting pressure on Israel's behalf.

"What we have presented - with full awareness and understanding of the complexity of the situation - we believe could lead to a deal if the enemy had the will to reach one," he said.

Mediators Qatar and Egypt said there had been some progress in the latest round of talks. They said suspensions were a normal part of the process and they were committed to continuing to try to reach a ceasefire in partnership with the US.

The proposed ceasefire would suspend fighting for 60 days, allow more aid into Gaza, and free some of the 50 remaining hostages held by militants in return for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel.

It has been held up by disagreement over how far Israel should withdraw its troops and the future beyond the 60 days if no permanent agreement is reached.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister in Netanyahu's coalition, welcomed Netanyahu's step, calling for a total halt of aid to Gaza and complete conquest of the enclave, adding in a post on X, "Total annihilation of Hamas, encourage emigration, (Jewish) settlement."

PSX benchmark index up 0.44%WoW

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained range bound during the week, with the benchmark index trading within a band amid the absence of major triggers and rollover week. Nonetheless, the benchmark gained 610 points or 0.44%WoW to close at 139,207 on Friday July 25, 2025. However, market participation declined by 16.7%WoW to average 635 million shares traded per day.

On the macro front, developments remained broadly positive as S&P upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating by one notch to B– after three years. Subsequently, Pak Eurobond yields declined across different maturities. Moreover, aforementioned improvement in credit rating along with tightening of illicit forex market, supported a 0.5%WoW appreciation in PKR to 283.45/US$, highest weekly gain in 93 weeks.

In last T-Bills auction, yields declined by to 10.85% for one-month paper, indicating expectations of rate cut in the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for July 30, 2025. AKD Securities expects SBP to resume monetary easing with a 50bps reduction, supported by moderating inflation and easing geopolitical tensions, with July 2025 CPI projected at 2.5%YoY, down from 3.2%YoY in previous month.

The GoP has formed a task force to resolve the PKR2.8 trillion gas circular debt, with a proposed plan involving commercial borrowing and the imposition of a special levy to fund repayments.

Foreign exchange reserves help by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) declined to US$14.5 billion as of July 18, 2025.

Other major news flow during the week included: 1) ADB revised Pakistan's FY25 growth to 2.7 percent, 2) IMF tied 4% additional sales tax removal to wider tax net, 3) Foreign investors repatriated US$2.2 billion in FY25, 4) Power generation remained flat in FY25, and 5) ECC approved PKR100 billion financing for 50,000 housing units.

Food, Transport, and Auto assembler were the top performing sectors, while Vanaspati & allied industries, while Woollen, and Leather were among the laggards.

Major net selling was recorded by other organizations and Foreigners with a net sell of US$16.1 million. Mutual funds and Individuals absorbed most of the selling with a net buy of US$12.8 million.

Top performing scrips of the week were: UPFL, HGFA, FHAM, ATLH, and HUMNL, while the laggards included: PSEL, PKGP, BNWM, ABL, and SRVI.

According to AKD Securities, market is expected to remain positive in the coming weeks, with the upcoming MPC and corporate results remaining in the limelight.

The benchmark index is anticipated to sustain its upward trajectory, with a target of over 165,000 points by end December 2025, primarily driven by strong earnings in Fertilizers, sustained ROEs in Banks, and improving cash flows of E&Ps and OMCs, benefiting from declining interest rates and economic stability.

The top picks of the brokerage house include: OGDC, PPL, PSO, FFC, ENGROH, MCB, HBL, FCCL, KOHC, INDU, and SYS.

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Trump has turned US into a rogue and pariah state

The United States under the leadership of Donald Trump is almost at odds with all countries except Israel. The Trump administration is also defying established international institutions, such as UNESCO and the International Criminal Court.

Trump’s repeated and reckless remarks that Canada should be the 51st state of the United States and that his country may take over Greenland by force if necessary, his proposal to own the Gaza Strip, his reversal of any decision or step to rein in on the climate change, and his illusion that all countries are taking advantage of the US have made Trump to look outlandish.

His tactless withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has now turned into a global security headache as his administration and Israel launched military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.

The strikes, which are an act of aggression and illegal under international law, could have led to environmental catastrophes, even though some experts still don’t rule out the possibility of nuclear disasters.

Speaking at a forum at the Institute for Political and International Studies in Tehran about 18 years ago, Germany’s Joseph Joschka said the world would descend into chaos without the United States. However, the United States itself is now pushing the world toward anarchy and lawlessness.

In his term as president, he started defying international rules and regulations. He recognized Jerusalem (al-Quds) as Israel’s capital, moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the city, and recognized the Syrian Golan Heights as Israel’s territory, pulled out of the JCPOA, the Paris climate agreement, and the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

His recognition of occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital took place while the international community was and is still working, of course with a lesser hope, on establishing a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In his first term, it was thought that Trump was inexperienced and was living in his dreams because he had not served in top managerial posts such as a mayor, governor, or served in Senate before being catapulted to the powerful post of president. Yet, he began his second presidency after a four-year hiatus with more thoughtless remarks and actions.

On the first day of his presidency in the second term, Trump signed an executive order to again withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement that the country had joined in during the Joe Biden presidency. In his announcement, Trump stated that “as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the Paris agreement.”

His remarks that Canada should join the US were first taken as a joke. However, after repetition it become clear that he was serious in his statements. In his newest remarks, Trump told Fox News, "Frankly, Canada should be the 51st state, okay? It really should, because Canada relies entirely on the United States. We don't rely on Canada."

His threat of annexing Greenland, that caused transatlantic division, caused shivers in the bones of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen prompting her to visit Berlin, Paris, and Brussels in late January with a focus on fostering "European unity". In Brussels, she met with former NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The Trump administration also introduced sanctions on the UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur Francesca Albanese for Palestine as an outspoken critic of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Intolerant of Albanese’s criticism of companies such as arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin for selling weapons, and tech firms Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft and Amazon for providing technology which allows Israel to track and target Palestinians, provoked the US to resort to the repetitive old policy of accusing the UN official of being ant-Semitic.

On July 21, in his latest rash decision, Trump pulled the US out of the UN culture and education agency UNESCO, repeating a move he had already ordered during his first term, which had also been reversed under Biden.  Trump justified the decision by claiming that the UN body is anti-Semitic.

All these moves are portraying the United States as a bully, rogue and pariah state that will make countries, even American friends, to rethink the quality of their relations with Washington.

 

Trump tariffs wreaking havoc in Brazilian citrus belt

According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump's plan to impose a new 50% tariff on all Brazilian products from August 01, 2025 could devastate the South American nation's citrus belt, as factories scale back production and orange farmers consider leaving fruit to rot amid a sharp drop in prices.

"You are not going to spend money to harvest and not have anyone to sell to," said grower Fabricio Vidal, from his farm in Formoso, in the state of Minas Gerais.

The new tariffs could make it impossible for his fruit to enter the United States, which buys 42% of the orange juice exported from Brazil, a trade worth around US$1.31 billion in the season ending last June.

This month, orange prices in Brazil dropped to 44 reais (US$8) a box, almost half of what they were a year ago, according to the widely followed Cepea index from the University of Sao Paulo, illustrating how Trump's disruptive trade policies can sow chaos even before enacted.

"As the day approaches in which tariffs will come into effect, anxiety increases about what might happen," Ibiapaba Netto, the head of orange juice exporter lobby CitrusBR, told Reuters in an interview.

US orange juice production dropped to its lowest level in half a century in the 2024/25 harvest, with output estimated at 108.3 million gallons, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture cited by Cepea, which shows imports will represent 90% of US supplies through September.

US consumers will bear the brunt along with Brazilian farmers. An astounding half of the orange juice Americans drink comes from Brazil under household brands such as Tropicana, Minute Maid and Simply Orange.

Brazil, which produces 80% of the world's orange juice, will be hard to replace, too.

The US has become more dependent on orange juice imports in recent years due to the "citrus greening" crop disease, hurricanes and spells of freezing temperatures.

But the new tariff on Brazilian imports represents a 533% increase over the US$415 per ton duty levied on the country's juice now.

Last Friday, Johanna Foods, a New Jersey-based producer and distributor of fruit juices, challenged in court the proposed tariffs on Brazilian orange juice, claiming they would cause "significant and direct financial harm" to the company and US consumers.

The tariffs may also spell trouble for Coca Cola and Pepsi, which account for some 60% of the orange juice sold in the United States, Netto said.

Brazil won't find it easy to replace American consumers, some of the most avid orange juice drinkers in the world.

Typically, higher-income countries import orange juice, limiting Brazil's potential reach into new markets. Brazilian orange juice is only sold to some 40 nations – representing about a third of the destinations that buy Brazilian meat, for example, according to trade data.

CitrusBR's Netto noted that hefty duties in markets such as India and South Korea, as well as low household income in China, have hampered trade with Brazil.

The European Union, in turn, already buys some 52% of Brazil's total exports, making it unlikely that countries there will make up for lost business with the US.

One would be to export Brazilian orange juice through Costa Rica, which some companies already do to avoid the current duties, said Arlindo de Salvo, an independent orange consultant. But it is unclear whether exporters will be able to pull it off once the new levy starts being enforced.

As companies struggle to find new paths to consumers, farmers in Formoso fear the worst. Prices have already dropped to about a third of what growers were paid at this time last year, farmers said, making the cost of picking oranges hardly worth the trouble.

Grower Ederson Kogler said that the only solution would be to find other markets. But, he added, "These are things that don't happen overnight."

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Thomas Barrack Don Quixote of US Imperialism

Colonialism was not merely a political and economic hegemony exercised by Western powers over large parts of the world. It was also a profound cultural and ideological plot intended to distort the history of colonized peoples, to fool them, and to impose deviant models of knowledge and values on them.

This is what US envoy Thomas Barrack is doing by exploiting the collective Lebanese consciousness, sometimes by calling on them to emulate the “amazing” example of the new Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (the former HTS leader known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), and other times by his open lie that Hezbollah welcomed the Israeli occupation forces by scattering flowers in the 1970s.

He made such false claims in an interview with Al-Jadeed TV. When the interviewer corrected him, he added that Hezbollah emerged as a result of the events of the 1970s, which are well-known to everyone. The daily Israeli attacks on the southerners at the time and the blatant American interference in Lebanese affairs.  

Commenting on Barrack’s lie, journalist Pierre Abi Saab wrote on X, “This is Trump’s culture and this is the Trump administration, a culture of domination, arrogance, and colonial barbarism; a culture steeped in illiteracy, ignorance, impudence, and absolute self-confidence, based on contempt for all rules and norms, and a rejection of international legitimacy and international law. They all come from the same intellectual stable!”

For his part, journalist Hassan Illaik wrote, “The idiot Morgan Ortagus has been succeeded by an even idiot.”

It is often said “there is a world of difference between the two” when comparing a seasoned sage with an evasive man. This is the case when comparing Washington’s diplomats with Tehran’s diplomats, such as late Amir Hossein Abdollahian, who moved from one country to another defending the dignity of the peoples of West Asia until his honorable martyrdom.

As for the likes of Washington’s notorious diplomats, whom there is no room to mention here, as each is more devious than the next, like Thomas Barrack, whose record is replete with gambling, financial and moral scandals, but they come to us to preach about honor and dignity.

Observers have expressed their fear about the path the situation in Lebanon could take after Barrack’s departure, particularly given his threat that Washington would withdraw its hand from “mediation” if Lebanon did not abide by the clause requiring Hezbollah to disarm. This could lead to Lebanon being isolated internationally and Arab-wide as a punishment for its well–calculated stance.

The US envoy reiterated, “My role is a political mediator to positively influence the parties.”

The irony is that Barrack has never been a “mediator,” but a mouthpiece for Israel as he himself stated, “We are in Lebanon to help bring about peace, but there is a timetable, and time is running out.”

In parallel, a hostile infantry force of approximately 20 Israeli soldiers penetrated from the vicinity of the border town of Abbasiyeh toward the Rihana Bari area in the Mari plain, at dawn on Wednesday, searching several homes, and interrogated a number of Lebanese residents and Syrian workers.

For more than an hour and a half, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri presented Barrack with detailed figures on the Lebanese citizens killed by Israel, since November 27, reminding him of what was happening in Syria.

Berri stressed that as long as the situation remained as it was, it would be difficult for anyone to raise the issue of disarming the Resistance, especially since tens of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced as a result of the ongoing aggression, and preventing the southerners from returning to their demolished villages to reconstruct them.

Barrack also met Druze leader Walid Jumblatt to dissect what is happening in Syria, claiming that al-Sharaa has only 25,000 soldiers and that they are incapable of threatening Lebanon.

According to Axios, Barrack arranged an Israeli-Syrian meeting in Paris on Thursday to formulate “urgent security understandings” regarding southern Syria.

Courtesy: Tehran Times

Tuesday, 22 July 2025

China embarks on world largest hydropower dam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced construction had begun on the world's largest hydropower dam, on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, at an estimated cost of US$170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Commencement of the hydropower project, China's most ambitious since the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze, was seized by Chinese markets as proof of economic stimulus, sending stock prices and bond yields higher on Monday.

Made up of five cascade hydropower stations with the capacity to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equal to the amount of electricity consumed by Britain last year, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo. A section of the river tumbles 2,000 metres (6,561 feet) in a span of 50km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential.

India and Bangladesh have already raised concerns about its possible impact on the millions of people downstream, while NGOs warned of the risk to one of the richest and most diverse environments on the plateau.

Beijing has said the dam will help meet power demand in Tibet and the rest of China without having a major effect on downstream water supplies or the environment. Operations are expected sometime in the 2030s.

China's CSI Construction & Engineering Index jumped as much as 4% to a seven-month high. Power Construction Corporation of China  and Arcplus Group PLC  surged by their 10% daily limit.

"From an investment perspective, mature hydropower projects offer bond-like dividends," Wang Zhuo, partner of Shanghai Zhuozhu Investment Management said, while cautioning that speculative buying into related stocks would inflate valuations.

The project will drive demand for construction and building materials such as cement and civil explosives, Huatai Securities said in a note to clients.

Shares of Beijing-listed Hunan Wuxin Tunnel Intelligent Equipment Co, which sells tunnel construction equipment, surged 30%. So did shares of Geokang Technologies Co, which makes intelligent monitoring terminals.

Cement maker Xizang Tianlu Co and Tibet GaoZheng Explosive Co, producer of civil explosive materials, both jumped their maximum 10%.

The Chinese premier described the dam as a "project of the century" and said special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage," Xinhua said on Saturday.

Government bond yields rose across the board on Monday, with the most-traded 30-year treasury futures falling to five-week lows, as investors interpreted the news as part of China's economic stimulus.

The project, overseen by the newly formed state-owned China Yajiang Group, marks a major boost in public investment to help bolster economic growth as current drivers show signs of faltering.

"Assuming 10 years of construction, the investment/ GDP boost could reach 120 billion yuan (US$16.7 billion) for a single year," said Citi in a note. "The actual economic benefits could go beyond that."

The Three Gorges, which took almost two decades to complete, generated nearly a million jobs, state media reported, though it displaced at least a similar number of people.

Authorities have not indicated how many people would be displaced by the Yarlung Zangbo project.

The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra River as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India and finally into Bangladesh. NGOs say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan Plateau and hit millions of people downstream.

The chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, said earlier this year that such a colossal dam barely 50km from the border could dry out 80% of the river passing through the Indian state while potentially inundating downstream areas in Arunachal and neighbouring Assam state.

 

Killing of Gazans seeking food

At least 1,054 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military while trying to access food aid in Gaza, the United Nations’ human rights office said in a statement Tuesday, reports the Saudi Gazette.

“Palestinians in Gaza are starving to death,” the statement said.

Desperate, hungry people are approaching aid sites run by the controversial Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the statement said, “even though between May 27 and July 21, 1,054 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military in Gaza while trying to access food.”

The GHF began operating in the Gaza Strip on May 27. Some 766 people were killed in the vicinity of their sites since then, the UN office said, while 288 were killed around aid convoys run by groups including the UN.

CNN has reached to the Israel Defense Forces for comment. In a post on X, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Hamas of shooting civilians trying to collect aid, but did not provide any evidence for this.

“The deaths and the horrendous physical and psychological suffering caused by hunger are the result of Israel’s interference with and militarization of humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” the UN’s statement said.

“The Israeli military must immediately stop shooting at people trying to get food. Firearms must never be used simply to disperse a crowd, even as a warning.”

The UN office called on Israel to allow more humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip and lift its restrictions on the UN and other humanitarian groups in the enclave.

Monday, 21 July 2025

Preparing organizers to oppose Trump policies

According to media reports, progressive advocacy organization Indivisible is launching an ambitious new campaign aimed at training more than one million organizers to oppose the policies of US President Donald Trump and his administration.

Over the next several weeks, Indivisible will be hosting online organizing sessions as part of its One Million Rising initiative, which it describes as "a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design."

Indivisible this year has already organized high-profile nationwide protests this year including the "Hands Off" and "No Kings" events that were attended by millions of Americans.

However, it says that its aim with One Million Rising is to go beyond big one-day mobilizations to create more sustained local campaigns throughout the United States that would fight the Trump agenda on a daily basis.

In its message promoting the event, Indivisible emphasizes, "It'll take all of us" to mobilize against the Trump administration and added that this effort "is how we build people power that can't be ignored."

Indivisible held its first One Million Rising session last Wednesday and a recording of the session is available to watch on YouTube.

The next session will be held on Wednesday, July 30 and will focus on "how you can lead a discussion with others and get them on board with taking action in your community" and will also help attendees organize their first "community resistance gathering" in the span of two weeks or less.

The third and final session, scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, will have attendees "on boarded to basic campaign design" where they will "learn how to implement it locally as well as get plugged into our next national campaign work."

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, recently told publication Axios that Indivisible's new campaign shows that it's entering a second stage in its approach to organizing.

"That outrage is still there, but now it's going to be funneled and channeled into strategies and tactics on how we actually make change in the government," she explained.

"As more and more protests happen, local, state, and federal elected officials will feel uncomfortable maintaining the stance they have."

 

Israeli relentless warmongering and expansionism

A tentative ceasefire appears to be holding in southern Syria after a brutal week marked by deadly clashes and escalating tensions. Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the truce on Saturday, yet the underlying realities on the ground reveal a much deeper and more troubling story.

The clashes, which erupted in the province of Suwayda on July 13, involved armed Druze groups and Bedouin tribes — communities tragically caught in the crossfire of broader regional power struggles.

Under the guise of protecting the Druze minority, Israel launched a series of aggressive and unprovoked strikes across southern Syria and even targeted the capital, Damascus, on Wednesday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that the death toll from violence has now tragically surpassed 1,000 people.

This staggering human cost starkly exposes Israel’s relentless warmongering and expansionist ambitions in West Asia. Since its devastating assault on Gaza in October 2023, Israel has escalated its campaign of violence, targeting not only Gaza but also Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. These military actions are part of a calculated strategy to impose Israeli dominance and destabilize entire nations.

Israel justifies its attacks with convenient narratives: defending the Druze minority in Syria, neutralizing Hezbollah in Lebanon, dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, or responding to attacks from Yemen’s Ansarullah. Yet these explanations serve as thin veils masking a pattern of aggressive intervention that violates sovereignty and inflames regional tensions.

Despite the high death toll and widespread suffering, Israel’s military ventures have failed to achieve their stated goals. In Gaza, Israel has killed tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children, yet Hamas remains resilient.

In Lebanon, the Lebanese resistance refuses to bow to Israeli pressure.

Iran has dealt significant blows to Israel in recent confrontations.

Ansarullah movement in Yemen continues to resist Israeli aggression steadfastly.

Israel’s recent strikes in Syria follow the same aggressive pattern. They aim to fragment Syria and extend Israeli control over more territory, escalating a dangerous trend since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December last year.

Although the Syrian government under Ahmed al-Sharaa has so far refrained from direct military confrontation, popular anger against Israel’s occupation is rising sharply.

History shows that Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon in the early 1980s triggered widespread resistance and ultimately costly conflicts for the occupying forces. Syrians today are increasingly ready to form resistance groups and rise up against Israel’s incursions.

While the Syrian government has mainly limited itself to denouncing Israel’s aggression in statements, the growing anti-Israel sentiment among the Syrian population could open a new front of resistance. This serves as a stark reminder that occupation and aggression only sow seeds of conflict and instability.

The world must recognize that Israel’s unchecked military aggression is not about defense—it is a deliberate policy of domination, suffering, and division. The ongoing violence in southern Syria is a tragic symptom of this larger, dangerous strategy that endangers peace across the entire region.

 

Saturday, 19 July 2025

Ceasefire in Syria signals Israeli hegemonic agenda

According to the Tehran Times, the newly announced ceasefire between Syria and Israel—brokered in the aftermath of an Israeli military escalation—has thrown into sharp relief the Tel Aviv regime’s relentless pursuit of regional dominance in West Asia.

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the truce on Saturday, following intense Israeli airstrikes across southern Syria and the capital, Damascus, earlier in the week.

Israel claimed the bombings were carried out to “protect” the Druze minority amid spiraling violence in the southern province of Suwayda. However, critics argue this justification is nothing more than a pretext for deeper interference in Syrian affairs.

The clashes that erupted on July 13 between armed Druze groups, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian forces in Suwayda have claimed hundreds of lives.

Following the ceasefire announcement, al-Sharaa accused Israel of deliberately reigniting tensions in the region through its “flagrant aggression,” particularly the bombing of Damascus and the south.

In a statement saturated with militaristic bravado, Netanyahu declared that the ceasefire was achieved “through strength, not through pleas, not through begging.”

His comments underscore Israel’s ongoing strategy of intimidation, rather than diplomacy, in dealing with its neighbors.

While Israel frames its intervention as a humanitarian act, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise.

Netanyahu’s actions reflect a calculated effort to entrench Israeli hegemony in Syria under the guise of minority protection. Despite agreeing to a ceasefire, Israel has retained its grip on the Syrian territories it already occupies—territories widely recognized as being under illegal occupation under international law.

Adding further complexity to the situation, al-Sharaa, whose government maintains strategic ties with Washington, publicly thanked the United States—particularly the administration of President Donald Trump—for its role in brokering the ceasefire.

This acknowledgment raises troubling questions, can Israel’s aggressive campaign be separated from US geopolitical objectives in the region? Is Washington playing the role of silent accomplice while Netanyahu enforces a militarized order through unilateral violence?

The contradiction is glaring. On the one hand, al-Sharaa condemns Israeli aggression; on the other, he expresses gratitude to the very power widely seen as enabling it.

The good cop–bad cop dynamic between the US and Israel is once again on display - Netanyahu leads with force, while Washington follows with diplomatic posturing—both working toward the same endgame.

Israel’s invocation of the Druze issue appears part of a broader strategy scripted by pro-Zionist lobbies to justify the flexing of military might and normalize its presence deep inside Syrian territory.

The ceasefire is not a gesture of peace but a tactical pause—a calculated move in Israel’s long-term project of territorial expansion and political domination in West Asia

Past precedents—from Gaza to Lebanon—show that Israeli ceasefires are often little more than instruments of propaganda, soon violated when they no longer serve strategic objectives. Expansionism, militarism, and occupation remain pillars of Israeli policy.

This ceasefire, like others before it, cannot mask the true nature of Tel Aviv’s ambitions. It is a smokescreen, designed to conceal more sinister plans for redrawing the map of West Asia (the Middle East) to Israel’s benefit.

Only sustained unity and strategic cooperation among Muslim and Arab nations can resist this agenda and challenge the forces seeking to destabilize the region under the pretense of peace.

 

Friday, 18 July 2025

House approves US$832 billion defense funding

According to The Hill, House approved legislation early Friday allocating roughly US$832 billion in funding for defense programs for fiscal 2026. The passage came just weeks after Republicans approved a separate US$150 billion plan to advance President Trump’s defense priorities.

The GOP-led chamber approved the bill 221-209, mostly along party lines; five Democrats voted in favor of the bill, and three Republicans opposed it.

The measure marks only the second appropriations bill Republicans have been able to pass for 2026, after GOP appropriators said the effort to pass Trump’s tax and spending cuts megabill dominated the party’s focus over the past few months.

The bill passed Friday would boost funding for active, reserve and National Guard military personnel by US$6.6 billion above current levels, to a total of US$189 billion. It also allows for an increase of 3.8% in basic pay for military personnel, to take effect in January.

It calls for US$174 billion for procurement, up US$6.5 billion from current levels, and would provide US$283 billion for operation and maintenance, a roughly US$7 billion decrease below 2025 levels.

The bill also includes about US$148 billion for research, development, test and evaluation, as well as boosts for Defense Department health programs and overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid programs.

The bill comes after Republicans greenlit additional defense dollars as part of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” earlier this month. 

That plan called for US$25 billion to fund Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense system, with billions more aimed at items such as shipbuilding and the maritime industrial base, munitions and nuclear deterrence. 

Democrats have risen in sharp opposition to the overall defense appropriations plan, which also seeks to codify Trump’s actions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, advance prohibitions for funding for abortion-related travel, and block funds for gender-affirming surgeries.

PSX benchmark index closes at 138,597 points

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) sustained its bullish momentum throughout the week in anticipation of strong earnings ahead of the start of the result season.

The benchmark index touched its all-time high closing of 138,665 points on Thursday, but closed the week at 138,597 points on Friday July 18, 2025.

The market participation declined, with average daily traded volumes falling by 19.5%WoW to 763 million shares, down from 948 million shares a week ago.

On the macroeconomic front, for the first time in 14 years, Pakistan posted a current account surplus, of US$2.1 billion as against a deficit of US$2.1 billion during the same period last year.

IT exports for FY25 increased by 18%YoY to US$3.8 billion, from US$3.2 billion in FY24.

The LSM index witnessed an increase of 2.3%YoY in May 2025.

As regards sectoral developments, fertilizer offtakes witnessed an improvement for second consecutive month, with urea sales rising by 21%YoY during June 2025.

Auto financing for June 2025 was reported at PKR277 billion, up 1.98%MoM, marking an increase for the seventh consecutive month.

Foreign exchange reserves held by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rose by US$23 million to US$14.5 billion as of July 17, 2025. Despite this increase PKR depreciated against the greenback closing the week at PKR284.87/US$.

Other major news flow during the week included: 1) Telecom sector welcomed ADB’s call for lower taxes, 2) Pakistan-Afghanistan trade hit US$1.0 billion in 1HCY25, 3) Banking sector deposits rose to PKR35.498 trillion at end June 2025, 4) China expressed it readiness to deepen ties with Pakistan in agriculture, industry and mining, and 5) Cabinet okayed 15% hike in EOBI pensions.

Vanaspati & Allied Industries, Property, Miscellaneous, Fertilizer, and Inv.Banks/ Inv. Cos/ Securities.Cos were amongst the top performing sectors, while Jute, Woollen, Textile Spinning, Engineering, and Leather & Tanneries were among the laggards.

Major selling was recorded by Banks/ DFI with a net sell of US$34.0 million. Individuals absorbed most of the selling with a net buy of US$22.3 million.

The top performing scrips of the week were: PSEL, ABL, JVDC, FFC, and PIBTL, while laggards included: SEARL, KOHC, BNWM, NATF, and INIL.

According to AKD Securities, Pakistan Stock Exchange is anticipated to maintain a positive trend in the coming weeks, driven by expectations of strong corporate earnings.

The benchmark index is anticipated to sustain its upward trajectory, with a target of 165,215 points by end December 2025.

The market will be primarily driven by strong earnings in Fertilizers, sustained ROEs in Banks, and improving cash flow of E&Ps and OMCs, benefiting from falling interest rates and economic stability.

The top picks of the brokerage house include: OGDC, PPL, PSO, FFC, ENGROH, MCB, HBL, FCCL, KOHC, INDU, and SYS.

Israel levels thousands of buildings in Gaza

According to the Saudi Gazette, Israel has demolished thousands of buildings across Gaza since it withdrew from a ceasefire with Hamas in March, with entire towns and suburbs — once home to tens of thousands of people — levelled in the past few weeks.

Satellite images show massive amounts of destruction in several areas which Israel's military command claims to have under "operational control".

Large swathes of it has been caused by planned demolitions, both to already damaged buildings and ones that appeared largely intact.

Verified footage shows large explosions unleashing plumes of dust and debris, as Israeli forces carry out controlled demolitions on tower blocks, schools and other infrastructure.

Multiple legal experts told BBC Verify that Israel may have committed war crimes under the Geneva Convention, which largely prohibits the destruction of infrastructure by an occupying power.

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said it operated in accordance with international law; that Hamas concealed "military assets" in civilian areas, and that the "destruction of property is only performed when an imperative military necessity is demanded".

The scale of destruction can be clearly seen in the city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces and contractors have levelled large swathes of Rafah.

An analysis of damage by academics Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek found the destruction in Gaza since April has been most concentrated in the region.

Controlled explosions, excavators and bulldozers have obliterated whole areas.

In July, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz outlined plans to establish what he called a "humanitarian city" over the ruins of Rafah, with an initial 600,000 Palestinians being confined there.

The plan has been widely condemned. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the BBC that the proposal would be "interpreted as being akin to a concentration camp".

Israel claims its military has "operational control" over large areas of the Gaza Strip which are now militarized zones or have been under evacuation orders.

BBC Verify has identified footage of infrastructure being demolished in 40 locations since the ceasefire ended in March.

Tel al-Sultan was one of Rafah city's most vibrant neighbourhoods. Its densely packed streets were home to Rafah's only specialized maternity hospital and a centre caring for orphaned and abandoned children.

Satellite images showed that much of the area had already been heavily damaged by Israeli bombing and artillery fire, but dozens of buildings had withstood the barrage.

By July 13 the destruction had escalated, with even the shells of damaged buildings swept away and entire blocks torn to the ground. The hospital is one of a handful of buildings left standing.

Similarly, demolitions are now under way in the adjacent Saudi neighbourhood — once home to the city's largest mosque and several schools.

One verified clip showed a tank moving along a street in Rafah while a digger works by the side of the roadIsraeli demolitions are also visible in other parts of the strip which appear to have avoided heavy damage during earlier bombardments.

The farming town of Khuza'a is located about 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the Israeli border.

Before the war the town had a population of 11,000 people and was known for its fertile farmlands and crops such as tomatoes, wheat and olives.

By mid-June, Khuza'a was largely razed by the Israeli forces.

The IDF says it demolished 1,200 buildings in Khuza'a, which it alleged were part of "terror infrastructures" run by Hamas.

A similar story emerges in the nearby town of Abasan al-Kabira, where about 27,000 people lived before the war. Photos taken on May 31 and July 08 indicate that an extensive area was swept away in just 38 days.

Israel has created extensive "security zones" and corridors separating parts of Gaza, and has destroyed large numbers of buildings along and near these routes. Its latest corridor separates western from eastern Khan Younis, including Khuza'a and Abasan al-Kabira.

Since early in the war analysts have suggested that Israel has been attempting to create deep "buffer zones" by destroying buildings near to the border, but some of the areas flattened recently are deep into Gaza.

Monday, 14 July 2025

Trump issues ultimatum to Putin

According to The Hill, US President Donald Trump is seeking to pressure Russia's leader to the negotiating table through a combination of arming Ukraine and threatening 100 percent tariffs on countries that trade with Russia. 

Trump made the announcement during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office Monday morning. 

It marks a potential turning point for a president who had wanted to pull US support from Ukraine and has repeatedly demonstrated favorable treatment to Putin despite Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor.

“We’re very, very unhappy with Russia, and we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in about 50 days,” Trump said, after teasing a major announcement. 

Trump and Rutte also officially announced a weapons deal in which NATO countries would foot the bill for US arms shipments to Ukraine, though details on the provisions remain vague. 

“It’s everything. It’s Patriots. It’s all of them. It’s a full complement with the batteries,” Trump said, adding that the batteries could arrive in Ukraine within days.

Ukraine is desperate for increased air defenses as Putin has ramped up aerial attacks on its cities in recent months.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky met with Trump's envoy retired Lt.  Gen. Keith Kellogg earlier in the day and said he spoke with Trump and Rutte later on.

"Agreed to call more often and coordinate our steps further. Thank you, Mr. President! Thank you America!" Zelensky wrote on Facebook. 

There's no sign that Trump is seeking to send offensive weapons that would allow Ukraine to strike further into Russia, which Ukraine hawks say may be necessary to move Putin off his maximalist war demands.

Former NATO chief and retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis told CNN on Monday he would like to see Ukraine given harpoon missiles, surface-to-surface weapons and F-16 aircraft. 

"I think that is what could move Putin to the negotiating table, which is what we want on our side,” he said. 

Saudi energy minister urges action to address energy poverty

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, emphasized the urgent need to tackle global energy poverty during his address at the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna on Monday, reports Saudi Gazette.

Highlighting one of the most pressing global energy challenges, the minister cited United Nations estimates that 1.2 billion people suffer from energy poverty — a figure he believes could be nearly three times higher in reality.

He noted that over two billion people still rely on traditional, unsafe cooking fuels, which contribute to pollution and health hazards.

Prince Abdulaziz revealed that a dedicated Saudi team is actively working across Africa and Southeast Asia to address energy poverty, engaging directly with governments to implement practical solutions.

The minister underscored the Kingdom’s consistent energy policies and its commitment to translating them into real-world outcomes.

He cautioned that the global energy transition should not come at the expense of economic development, urging that each country’s economic context be considered in crafting energy strategies.

He further stressed the need for a balanced global energy mix, where oil and gas remain essential components alongside the expansion of renewable energy sources.

With global population projections reaching nearly 10 billion by 2050 and energy demand expected to rise by 50%, he said a diverse approach is crucial to ensuring sustainable energy access.