Latest news with #Iran-Israel
The South African
5 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Warren Hammond's Personal View: A violent summer - The World on edge
Acts of Violence – The World Is on Edge This Summer. Image: LinkedIn/warren-hammond Home » Warren Hammond's Personal View: A violent summer – The World on edge Acts of Violence – The World Is on Edge This Summer. Image: LinkedIn/warren-hammond June and July 2025 will shape up to be two of the most geopolitically intense, heated, and combustible months in recent geopolitical memory, with acts of terror and war escalating. From Washington to Warsaw, Gaza to Islamabad, Khartoum to Kyiv, the geopolitical temperature is rising. Tensions are no longer simmering. They're flashing. The last time I viewed the world in this way was 4th February 2020, whereby I prepared (on the short side) for a seismic geopolitical event to disrupt markets, at which point I communicated a selective short basket of airline, shipping, logistics, cruise line, hotel, and theme park-oriented stocks. This short basket was held until 6th April 2020, at which time, turning bullish, it was covered, and I built a net long in the S&P500, placing a 5+ year target of 8,500 on the index, a call rooted in structurally bullish high conviction during extreme volatility. At the time, all was communicated via The Personal View. Over the past decade, The Personal View has predicted major inflexion points in global stability, including: – The storming of Capitol Hill on 6 January 2021 – The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Both events were forecast in magnitude and timing. The signals were there. They are here again. What's unfolding now is a sharp escalation in the risk of terrorism, military confrontation, sabotage, and politically driven violence. This is not a call on a single event, but a recognition of a rising tide of instability spanning regions. Hotspots to watch: – Ukraine & Eastern Europe: Russian aggression continues; NATO mobilisation intensifies.– Middle East: Iran-Israel tension, asymmetric threats, and proxy volatility.– India & Pakistan: Fragile calm masking deep structural risk.– Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Myanmar: Fragile states with regional contagion potential. – Western cities: Heightened alert around lone-wolf and coordinated attacks. This is not about fear. It's about foresight. The Netherlands is hosting a critical NATO summit amid this intensification. The symbolism is clear: the West is no longer reacting, it is preparing. Alliances are being tested. Defence strategies are shifting. And yet, global markets remain largely focused on rate cuts and inflation, underpricing the true driver of risk this summer: global instability. This may not be a season defined by a single headline. It may be defined by a drumbeat of escalating events, destabilising, violent, and politically consequential. For investors, executives, and policymakers: Now is the time to recalibrate portfolios, assumptions, and geopolitical expectations. June and July 2025 are a season of aggression. The world is on edge. And in a moment like this, ignoring the tension is the most dangerous strategy of all. What are your thoughts on the unfolding geopolitical risks? We invite you to share your perspectives, analysis, or questions in the comments below. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
India.com
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
If the third world war happens then who can stop it? First and second World War ended due to...
Will World War 3- Representative image Third World War: From the Russia-Ukraine war to the Iran-Israel conflict to the recent India-Pakistan tensions, the world has seen many small to large conflicts in the recent years. However, this is not the first time the world has witnessed these small conflicts. The first world war began in the year 1914 and it ended in 1918 with the victory of the Allied Powers over the Central Powers, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Similarly, the second world war started in the year 1939 and it ended in 1945 with the victory of the Allies, led by France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union. Both of these global wars were fought in a timespan where only limited countries of the world had nuclear powers. However, as of date, most of the global powers of the world have nuclear bombs. If a world war starts now, it will be difficult to stop it at any point in time. However, here are some global organisations which can still stop the war. 1. United Nations Security Council: The United Nations Security Council is a 15 member body which is primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security across the world. With the determining of existence of threat to the peace or act of aggression, the UNSC works for peace across the globe. 2. International Court of Justice: The International Court of Justice, also known as the 'World Court,' works to settle legal disputes between states in accordance with international law. The global court also provides advisory opinions on legal questions. In case of world war, the international body can also stop the war. The last time a world war ended, it was the World War II which ended with Germany's surrender in May 1945 and Japan's in September after the historic atomic bombings. More notably, the end of the 2nd world war lead to the founding of the United Nations for global peace.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Israel's deadly plan against Iran may prove costly for India due to...; reports says Netanyahu is preparing for...
(File) Iran-Israel war: Crude oil prices rose sharply on Sunday amid reports of Israel planning to attack Iran's nuclear bases in the coming days. As per market data, the prices of Brent crude increased by 69 cents, a jump of 1.06% to reach $66.07 per barrel, while WTI crude also witnessed a similar increase of 69 cents, each barrel trading at $66.07 apiece. The rising prices of crude oil is a worrying development for India as the country is dependent on imports to meet a major chunk of its oil needs, with most of its crude oil coming from the Middle East. Israel planning to attack Iranian nuclear bases The jump in crude oil prices comes amidst reports of Israel allegedly plotting to launch attack on nuclear bases in Iran. Citing US intelligence sources, several media reports stated that the Jewish nation was preparing to attack Iranian nuclear sites, even as there are conflicting reports about the Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, having taken a decision on the purported plan. Reports citing sources asserted that the possibility of Israel taking such an escalatory step, which could potentially lead to a full-blown Iran-Israel war, and plunge the entire Middle East into chaos, has increased significantly in recent months. Trump wants a deal with Iran Notably, the Donald Trump administration is engaged in backchannel talks with Iran to negotiate a nuclear deal. On Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the United States had demanded that Iran must completely halt its uranium enrichment program. However, Khamenei said the US demand was completely unacceptable, raising questions about the possibility of a deal between Tehran and Washington. How Israel's plan could hurt India? If Israel attacks Iranian nuclear sites, it could potentially lead to a full-scale Iran-Israel war, triggering a crisis in West Asia and the Middle East, which would inevitably result in an increase in crude oil prices. This could be a major detriment for India, one of the largest crude oil consumers in the world, which depends on imports to meet more than 85 percent of its oil requirments. According to government data, India imported 234.3 million tonnes of crude oil worth $137 billion in FY2025, against $133.4 billion in 2024, an increase of 3.4%. Thus India's finances could be badly affected if crude oil prices surge in wake of an Iran-Israel war.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Research centre delay hurts Punjab basmati exports.
Chandigarh: Even as Punjab grapples with the dual challenge of farmers' struggle to grow pesticide-free basmati and ongoing efforts to wean them off water-intensive paddy, the state govt is yet to allocate the necessary land for a Centre-backed project. The proposed basmati research centre in Tarn Taran , intended to include basmati sample testing facilities, remains stalled, hindering a much-needed boost to the state's basmati exports in the competitive global Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ( APEDA ) had decided to set up the research centre, and the state govt initially offered to provide 14 acres of land in Khabba Rajputan village in Tarn Taran on a 30-year lease. It was to include a seed centre and training centre for delay comes amid the recent headwinds faced by Indian basmati exporters. Following a period of struggle due to the now-withdrawn minimum export price (MEP), the industry had to later deal with the complexities arising from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, further impacting their ability to sell produce in the global to Ashok Sethi, director of Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters' Association, the stalled basmati research centre was vital to prevent European rejection of export orders due to pesticide contamination. Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Tensions Live Updates: India hits back after Pakistan violates ceasefire; Nagrota sentry hurt in brief gunfire Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Drones shot down at multiple places in J&K as Pakistan violates bilateral understanding Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal He highlighted the expensive alternative of private lab testing that costs around Rs 10,000 per sample. "A local exporter is now setting up his own laboratory. Every year, 4-5 containers are sent back from Europe. In August last year, the then secretary, agriculture and APEDA officials visited the site. The project is delayed despite the state govt's push for crop diversification," he APEDA official added that the state-of-the-art research centre was to be funded by APEDA but is held back for want of necessary land by the state govt. The proposed research centre in Tarn Taran was envisioned to ensure the quality of Punjab's basmati exports, he stands as a major contributor to India's annual basmati rice exports, which are valued at approximately Rs 50 thousand crore. With a production level of 3.84 lakh metric tonnes in the last recorded period, the state accounts for a substantial 42.7% of the total national output. Key export destinations for Indian basmati in 2023-24 included Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, the USA, and Yemen Republic."The absence of such a facility leaves Punjab's significant basmati production vulnerable to international quality standards, potentially jeopardising its market share and the income of its farmers. The state govt's inaction on providing land for this vital project raises questions about its commitment to both crop diversification and supporting the basmati sector," said Amarjit Singh, a basmati exporter from PUNJAB HAS BANNED 10 INSECTICIDESThe state govt issued a gazette notification in 2023 to prohibit the sale, stock, and distribution of the insecticides on the basmati crop for being a "potential constraint in export and consumption of basmati rice." There is a risk of more than the maximum residual level (MRL) of pesticides on account of the use of the agro-chemicals, it said. MSID:: 121056937 413 |
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Another shadow war? Amid Middle East tensions, rivals Israel & Iran now rush to woo Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan just hosted the Iranian president — and weeks later, Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to land in Baku. Why is a small Caspian nation suddenly at the center of such high-stakes diplomacy? Iran and Azerbaijan have spent years trading accusations, cutting ties, and drawing red lines. So why the sudden reset? And more importantly — why is Israel watching so closely? This isn't just about diplomacy. It's about geography, pipelines, alliances — and a potential new front in the Iran-Israel shadow war. Azerbaijan's oil-rich location, wedged between Russia, Iran, and Turkey, makes it a prime vantage point in West Asia. Israel sees a launchpad. Iran sees a threat. And Azerbaijan? It sees leverage. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta breaks down why Azerbaijan matters, what Iran and Israel are fighting over, and whether Baku is playing peacemaker — or power broker.
