War Financial News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Democratic U.S. Senator Michael Bennet opposes President Joe Biden's decision to pause approvals of new exports of liquefied natural gas, saying on Sunday that it could undercut U.S. efforts to supply gas to Europe as it replaces Russian exports.

Hamas, and envisions a wider resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Hamas' demands “delusional" and rejected US and international calls for a pathway to Palestinian statehood.

Israel accused Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of trivialising the Holocaust and causing offence to the Jewish people on Sunday after he likened the Israeli war against Hamas militants in Gaza to the Nazi genocide during World War Two. «What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews,» Lula told reporters during the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

Russian diamonds from the world’s affluent markets, a confused, volatile trade is feeling the pulls and pressures: a rigid rule pushed by Europe to probably regain its waning influence; the emerging voices of Africa and India opposing it; and, a new, different plan mooted last week in America, the largest market, which could make life easier for the trade amid the chaos of geopolitics. Trade sources told ET there was a glimmer of hope following a meeting last week between a US government official and the country’s leading jewellers who import diamonds mined across the world and polished in India and other countries. “It was indicated at the meeting that America could accept `self-certification’ from its jewellers that the diamonds imported into the country have no Russian links. Here, the process could be similar to the one applicable for American firms importing fish and seafood," said a senior industry person.

Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said Congress and Aam Aadmi Party had "mutually agreed" to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab separately and there is no bitterness between the two parties over the issue. “In Punjab, the Congress and AAP have mutually agreed to contest the polls separately. There is no hostility over this," NDTV quoted the Delhi Chief Minister as saying.

The Wire. "The Water Transport Workers Federation of India has decided to refuse to load or unload weaponized cargoes from Israel or any other country which could handle military equipment and its allied cargo for war in Palestine," The Wire quoted WTWFI press release – dated 14 February – as saying. “Port workers, part of labour unions would always stand against the war and killing innocent people like women and children.

Russia on Sunday said it had full control of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka after Ukraine withdrew though Moscow said that some Ukrainian troops were still holed up in a vast Soviet-era coke plant after one of the most intense battles of the war. The fall of Avdiivka is Russia's biggest gain since capturing the city of Bakhmut in May 2023, and comes almost two years to the day since President Vladimir Putin triggered a full-scale war by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry said its troops had advanced 8.6 km (5.3 miles) in that part of the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line, and that Russian troops were pressing forward after a deadly urban battle that has left the town an almost completely depopulated wreck.

Amit Shah on Sunday likened the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to the Mahabharata war, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the BJP-led camp working for the country's development while «INDI alliance» under the Congress is full of family-run parties and corruption. In his address at the BJP's national convention here, Shah lashed out at the opposition INDIA bloc for its promotion of dynastic and appeasement politics. He was speaking on the resolution «BJP: Desh ki aasha, vipaksha ki hatasha» (BJP: Country's hope, opposition's despair). He said the opposition is full of «2G, 3G and 4G» parties, a reference to the second, third and fourth generation of families running these parties.

Benjamin Netanyahu responded on February 17 to rising appeals from world leaders to avoid a ground operation in Rafah, remarking that doing so would mean «losing the war against Hamas,» as reported by The Times of Israel. «Those who want to prevent us from operating in Rafah are essentially telling us: 'Lose the war.' I won't let that happen,» he vowed at an evening press conference in Jerusalem. «We won't capitulate to any pressure,» he said.

Iran's elite Quds Force to Baghdad has led to a pause in attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, multiple Iranian and Iraqi sources told Reuters. Here's a look at Iraq's most influential Shi'ite parties and armed groups, who remain divided over how to address the presence of U.S. forces in the country: THE COORDINATION FRAMEWORK

ended on February 16th. Mr Navalny’s death was blamed by Russian prison authorities on a blood clot—though his doctor said he suffered from no condition which made that likely. Whatever ends up on his death certificate, he was killed by Vladimir Putin.

United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on Tuesday on an Algerian push for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, said diplomats, a move the United States signaled it would veto. Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly said the text could jeopardize «sensitive negotiations» aimed at brokering a pause in the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin personally sent congratulatory messages to his troops An ‘artificial deficit’ of arms for Ukraine risks giving Russia breathing space, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on withdrawing troops from Avdiivka. He further highlighted the need for artillery and long-range weapons.

Israel has sent negotiators for truce talks in Cairo as requested by US President Joe Biden but they did not go back for further talks because Hamas' demands were "delusional," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. Netanyahu also said Israel would not give in to «international dictates» regarding a statehood agreement with the Palestinians, which he said could only be reached through direct negotiations without preconditions.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday dismissed the idea of holding early elections, while thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv for an anti-government protest.

(Corrects to remove erroneous reference to Italy about to approve new aid package for Ukraine)

Navalny's death was ascertained, his mother was told on Saturday that Russian leader was struck down by "sudden death syndrome" and that his body would not be handed over to the family until an investigation was completed, his team was quoted by Reuters as saying. Navalny's death brought back into focus other critics and foes of Putin who died in "mysterious" circumstances. Here's a look at some other foes of Russian President Putin and their “mysterious fate": Yevgeny Prigozhin and the top lieutenants of his Wagner private military company were killed in a plane crash in August 2023.

Also Read: Oil remains range-bound as rate cut hopes fade away: Here's how US Fed policy decision affects prices Back home, on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude oil futures due for a March 19 expiry, last settled 0.03 per cent higher at ₹6,484 per bbl, having swung between ₹6,381 and ₹6,518 per bbl during the session, against a previous close of ₹6,482 per barrel. On Thursday, Hezbollah said it fired dozens of rockets at a northern Israeli town in a "preliminary response" to the killing of 10 civilians in southern Lebanon, the deadliest day for Lebanese civilians in four months of cross-border hostilities. The oil market's reaction to news from the Middle East was moderate, according to analysts.

By John Irish

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration stood ready to support Ukraine in its war with Russia for “as long as it takes” and would push for Russia to pay damages to Ukraine following the end of the war.