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A Saudi logistics zone in Djibouti? 👀🇸🇦🇩🇯 Interesting stuff!

This alongside Indian PM Narendra Modi winning the Indian election but with the loss of the BJP’s parliamentary majority, and the potential for Israel to launch a war against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

All the details below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇮🇳 India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alliance won the general election, but the BJP lost its parliamentary majority, securing only 240 seats compared to 303 in the previous election. Modi celebrated the victory, promising significant decisions in the new term. The opposition Congress party made notable gains, taking 99 seats, and emphasized that voters sent a clear message of discontent. The election saw a lower turnout of 66.3% amidst intense campaigning and concerns over minority rights. 

2️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi stated that Israel is nearing a decision on whether to launch a war against Hezbollah, amid ongoing rocket and drone attacks from the group. Fires sparked by these attacks have scorched northern Israel, prompting discussions in the war cabinet. Meanwhile, the UK has warned Lebanon to prepare for a potential large-scale Israeli offensive. Benny Gantz, a war cabinet minister, emphasized that the situation in the north would be resolved by the end of summer, either diplomatically or through military action. 

3️⃣🇵🇱 Poland: Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned voters to "vote or face war" ahead of the European elections, emphasizing the threat of Russian aggression. Tusk’s Civic Coalition stresses the need for EU unity against Moscow, while his opponents focus on other issues. The message resonates with Poles wary of Russia, especially with heightened border security near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

4️⃣🇺🇸 United States: President Joe Biden suggested in a TIME Magazine interview that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the Gaza war for political gains, highlighting tensions between the leaders. The US administration is pushing for a truce and exchange of captives between Israel and Hamas, but Netanyahu aims to continue the war to destroy Hamas’s capabilities. Biden’s remarks reflect his frustration with the conflict, as his support for Israel impacts his re-election chances amid growing allegations of war crimes and criticism over the war's toll on Gaza.

5️⃣🇺🇸 United States: The US House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over Gaza war crimes. The legislation, supported mainly by pro-Israel Republicans, aims to block ICC officials involved in the case from entering the US and conducting property transactions. Despite passing in the House, the bill is unlikely to become law as it faces opposition from Senate Democrats and President Biden.

Major Story

Saudi Arabia has signed a pivotal agreement to establish a logistics zone in Djibouti, marking a significant stride in the Kingdom’s global trade aspirations. The deal was sealed during a delegation visit led by Hassan Al-Huwaizi, president of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority. With over 100 entrepreneurs and government representatives in attendance, this initiative underscores Saudi Arabia's strategic vision to enhance its economic presence in Africa.

The 92-year contract, covering an initial area of 120,000 square meters, aims to create a logistics hub that will act as a vital conduit for Saudi products and exports into new markets. This logistics city, positioned at Djibouti's port, leverages its strategic location as Africa’s gateway, promoting robust economic interplay between the two nations. The Saudi-Djibouti Business Forum, which attracted over 300 stakeholders, further highlighted Djibouti’s potential as a free zone, with promises of equal treatment for Saudi investors across various sectors.

Djibouti’s strategic importance in maritime security adds another layer of significance to this deal. President Ismail Omar Guelleh emphasized Djibouti's commitment to ensuring safe passage for international shipping in the Red Sea, in collaboration with major powers including Saudi Arabia. This cooperation is crucial for maintaining security in vital maritime routes such as the Bab El-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden.

Building on longstanding ties dating back to 1977, Djibouti aims to enhance its collaboration with Saudi Arabia in maritime transport, logistics, and port services. This partnership promises significant economic benefits for both nations, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering long-term economic cooperation.

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Other News

1️⃣🇲🇲 Myanmar: Myanmar’s junta has arrested 35 individuals, including gold and foreign exchange traders, in an effort to stabilize the rapidly depreciating kyat. The currency hit a record low of around 4,500 kyat per dollar on the black market. The crackdown comes amid economic turmoil following the 2021 coup, with poverty rates nearly doubling and the National Unity Government accusing the junta of exacerbating economic issues through excessive currency printing. 

2️⃣🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are exploring the use of the Baku-Supsa pipeline for Kazakh crude, currently shipped via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to Turkey. The Baku-Supsa pipeline, ending in Georgia and operated by BP, has only transported Azeri crude until now. Kazakhstan, aiming to boost oil production and revenue, is also expanding shipments to Germany, Russia, and China, with a significant increase in total oil exports last year.

3️⃣🇵🇭 Philippines: A Philippine fishing vessel was targeted by Chinese Coast Guard water cannons at Scarborough Shoal amid the Balikatan exercise with US and Philippine forces. This incident underscores increasing Chinese aggression in contested areas and is pushing the Philippines closer to the US, its oldest Pacific ally. The expanded Balikatan exercises, now involving more nations and complex operations, reflect the Philippines' efforts to enhance territorial defenses against growing Chinese military activities.

4️⃣🇪🇹 Ethiopia: A new report by the New Lines Institute provides strong evidence that Ethiopian forces committed genocidal acts during the Tigray war, which ran from 2020 to 2022. The report highlights mass killings, starvation tactics, and intent to destroy Tigrayans as an ethnic group, calling for prosecution at the International Court of Justice. Despite Ethiopia and Eritrea denying war crimes, the report urges international pressure and legal accountability.

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