Putin, North Korea's Kim in phone call ahead of Alaska summit
Putin and Kim spoke by phone in a 'warm comradely atmosphere' on Tuesday and confirmed 'their will to strengthen cooperation in the future,' the KCNA dispatch said.
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Arab News
11 minutes ago
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Oil Updates — prices maintain gains ahead of Trump-Putin summit
NEW YORK: Oil prices nudged higher on Friday to fresh one-week highs after US President Donald Trump warned of 'consequences' if Russia blocked a Ukraine peace deal, injecting concerns about supply. Sentiment was also boosted by strong economic data out of Japan, which is among the largest global crude importers. Brent crude futures gained 16 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $67.00 a barrel by 03:17 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 14 cents, also 0.2 percent, to $64.10. All eyes are on Friday's meeting of Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where a ceasefire in the Ukraine war is at the top of the agenda. A continued conflict between Russia and Ukraine supports oil markets by limiting the supply of Russian oil. Trump, however, also said he believes Russia is prepared to end the war in Ukraine. Fresh Japanese government data released on Friday showed the economy expanded an annualised 1.0 percent in the April-June quarter, compared with a median market forecast for a 0.4 percent increase. The rise in gross domestic product translated into a quarterly increase of 0.3 percent, compared with a median estimate of a 0.1 percent increase. Strong economic activity typically spurs oil consumption. Prospects of higher-for-longer US interest rates, however, kept oil prices from rising further. Higher-than-expected inflation data and weak jobs numbers out of the US raised concerns that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates high, usually a dampener of oil consumption.
Al Arabiya
41 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
Taliban marks fourth year in power in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities marked the fourth anniversary of their takeover on Friday, buoyed by Russia's first official recognition of their government, a step they hope other countries will follow. Parades were planned in several cities, including in central Kabul, where helicopters were set to drop flowers and the white-and-black flags of the Taliban's 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' fluttered across the city to mark their capture of the capital on August 15, 2021. Taliban members gathered on Thursday night at a square near the shuttered US embassy -- seat of their enemy during their 20-year insurgency -- waving flags and setting off fireworks, an AFP journalist said. The military parade held last year with much fanfare at the Bagram airbase, once the linchpin for US-led operations, was cancelled this year, without public explanation. The Taliban government remains largely isolated on the global stage over restrictions imposed under their severe interpretation of Islamic law, targeting women in particular. The International Criminal Court issued in July arrest warrants for two senior Taliban leaders, accusing them of crimes against humanity over the persecution of women and girls, who are banned from most education and work, as well as parks, gyms and travelling without a male guardian. But the authorities scored a victory in early July when Russia became the first country to officially recognize their administration. Kabul also enjoys close ties, despite lacking official recognition, with countries including Central Asian states, China and the United Arab Emirates. On the Western front, the Taliban government reported talks in Kabul with officials from Norway, Britain and the United States, among others. The authorities face almost no internal opposition, though steep challenges stem from economic fragility, international aid cuts and the influx of four million Afghans expelled from neighboring countries. Independent experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday called on the international community not to normalize relations with the Taliban authorities and to reject their 'violent and authoritarian rule.' 'Operating without legitimacy, the Taliban enforces an institutionalized system of gender oppression, crushes dissent, exacts reprisals, and muzzles independent media while showing outright contempt for human rights, equality and non-discrimination,' the experts said in a statement.
Al Arabiya
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Russia hopes to continue dialogue at Alaska summit after Witkoff's visit
A lot was done during US special envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Russia last week, and the Russian side hopes to continue this 'useful conversation' during the Russia–US summit in Alaska on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. US President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
