US sanctions will not bring peace to Sudan – Middle East Monitor

OPEC+ is considering a potential increase in oil output for July, possibly exceeding the 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) hikes made for May and June. Eight member countries have been increasing their production faster than planned, influenced by Kazakhstan's refusal to cut output, which may lead to discussions for a larger increase. Despite recent price fluctuations, OPEC+ aims to balance the market while managing rising demand, as it has gradually increased production since April to...

The mother of jailed Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, Laila Soueif, is critically ill after 242 days on hunger strike, recently hospitalized with "critically low" blood sugar. Her daughter, Sanaa Seif, urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take immediate action, noting that Soueif is refusing glucose despite medical interventions. Alaa Abdel Fattah, imprisoned since 2019 for "spreading false news," has also been on hunger strike since March 1, 2024, in solidarity with his mother,...

SummaryItaly has offered to receive Adam, the sole surviving child of Palestinian paediatrician Alaa Al-Najjar, following an Israeli air strike in Gaza that killed nine of her children. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, is coordinating efforts to transfer Adam, who is currently hospitalized in Khan Yunis, to Italy for treatment, respecting the family's wishes. Additionally, Malta has expressed its readiness to provide refuge for Dr. Al-Najjar and her...

Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to prevent unregistered pilgrims from participating in this year's hajj, following last year's tragedy where 1,301 unauthorized pilgrims died due to extreme heat. The government is employing drone surveillance, security raids, and a nationwide campaign emphasizing "No hajj without a permit" to enforce regulations, as 83% of last year's fatalities were unregistered. With fines for unauthorized pilgrims doubled and a focus on restricting entry to only those with proper permits,...

Iran has demanded an "official explanation" from Austria following a report by its intelligence agency claiming Iran has an "active nuclear weapons program." Esmail Baghaei, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, dismissed the allegations as "false and baseless," asserting that Iran's nuclear activities are under UN supervision and that the country opposes nuclear weapons. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the nation's commitment to a diplomatic resolution with the U.S., highlighting the ongoing negotiations and the need...

The mother of imprisoned British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, Laila Soueif, has been hospitalized for the second time after resuming a full hunger strike, reportedly suffering dangerously low blood sugar and blood pressure. Despite losing over 40% of her body weight, she is refusing medical treatment, echoing her son’s own hunger strike in prison. Both families have called for international intervention, with a UN panel declaring Alaa's detention arbitrary and urging his release due to...