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Israel Enacts Controversial Death Penalty Law Targeting Palestinians

  Soldiers carry the coffin of Israeli soldier Sergeant Liran Ben Zion, who, according to the Israeli army, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Israel’s parliament has approved a controversial new law making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks, sparking intense criticism from rights groups and international observers. The measure, championed by far‑right members of the governing coalition, is set to take effect within 30 days and has already prompted legal challenges and diplomatic condemnation.  Israel’s parliament has passed a landmark—and highly contentious—law establishing the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of lethal attacks against Israelis. The bill, long pushed by far‑right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, mandates execution by hanging and requires sentencing within 90 days, with no right to clemency.  The legislation applies spec...

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Red Sea Tensions Delay Oil Shipments from Saudi Arabia and Iraq


Tankers carrying nearly 9 million barrels of oil from Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been forced to delay their deliveries due to Red Sea security threats. The attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea have made some shipowners reluctant to sail via the region. The Red Sea carries an estimated 9 million barrels a day of oil shipments, representing about 10% of global demand, while the route covers almost one-third of global container traffic and around 12% of global goods trade. The diversions and delays highlight the chaos in the shipping industry that’s spilling over into the wider economy and raising the risk of inflation as flows of food and other goods get disrupted.

The diverted vessels are heading toward Africa, which is a longer voyage from the Middle East to refiners and consumers in Europe. The detour can add more than two weeks’ sailing time when compared with the trip from the Persian Gulf through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The Middle East, which produces about a third of the world’s crude, ships most of it to Asia and those supplies aren’t affected. Crude prices in London are below $80 a barrel.

The situation is still developing, and it remains to be seen how long the threat will persist. However, the current situation has already had a significant impact on the oil industry and the global economy.

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