Al-Maliki's PM nomination deepens Iraq's political divisions

Iraqi political analyst Ahmed Al-Adhadh links the current stand-off to wider changes in the region. "The Middle East is undergoing major geopolitical and economic transformations, particularly as a result of the tightening of international sanctions on Iran," al-Adhadh told The New Arab. "The axis led by Tehran is experiencing fragmentation and the collapse of its core pillars, especially following the killing
| MENA

Chris Hedges – Noam Chomsky, Jeffrey Epstein and the Politics of Betrayal

Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for fifteen years for The New York Times, where he served as the Middle East Bureau Chief and Balkan Bureau Chief for the paper. He previously worked overseas for The Dallas Morning News, The Christian Science Monitor, and NPR. He is the host of show The Chris Hedges Report. The Chris Hedges Report is a
| National Politics, Article, Chris Hedges

Ukraine businesses struggle amid power cuts

It is pre-dawn in the historic Podil district of the Ukraine capital, Kiev, and warm light from the Spelta bakery-bistro’s window pierces the darkness outside. On a wooden surface dusted with flour, the baker Oleksandr Kutsenko skillfully divides and shapes soft, damp pieces of dough. As he shoves the first loaves into the oven, a sweet, delicate aroma of fresh
| World

Cooperation with China Is Pragmatism, Not “Cozying Up”

In a recent editorial, the Washington Post characterized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s diplomatic mission to Beijing as a “shortsighted” attempt to “troll” President Donald Trump. The critique suggests that Canada is blurring the line between pragmatism and naiveté, trading long-term security for a “show” of strategic partnership with a “dictator.” According to this view, […]
| Commentary, Featured

Climate enforcement weak in India-EU ‘mother of all deals’, experts say

Language changes meaning A solar farm near Rajasthan, India. Trade and cooperation in clean tech between the country and the EU is expected to be made easier with the free trade agreement’s market access commitments (Image: Nicolas Chorier / Amazing Aerial / Alamy) Dispute settlement for trade, consultation for environment Trade obligations are treated as justiciable economic commitments, while environmental provisions are often
| Business, Climate, Climate impacts

HED: Sudan Nashra: Military lifts Kadugli siege | Sudan makes AU reinstatement push, but internal disarray, AU insistence on ceasefire stand in way | Security and Defense Council gives preliminary approval to Sudan’s return to IGAD | US Senior advisor says new humanitarian truce proposal forthcoming

https://www.madamasr.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/fcv.mp4 The post HED: Sudan Nashra: Military lifts Kadugli siege | Sudan makes AU reinstatement push, but internal disarray, AU insistence on ceasefire stand in way | Security and Defense Council gives preliminary approval to Sudan’s return to IGAD | US Senior advisor says new humanitarian truce proposal forthcoming first appeared on Mada Masr.
| 2023 Sudan War, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Egypt-Sudan relations

Matthew Hoh – A Diminishing Special Providence

Matthew Hoh is the Associate Director of the Eisenhower Media Network. A former Marine and State Department official who resigned in protest over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan The US Navy had to retreat from the Red Sea not once but twice against Yemen’s Houthis. Both Biden and Trump administration officials, civilian and military, seemed to delight at the prospects
| Geopolitics, National Politics, Article

Solar Activity and Magnetic Storms: What Science Says About Their Impact

Our planet regularly experiences powerful streams of charged particles released by the Sun, triggering geomagnetic storms that many people associate with sudden changes in well-being. While doctors often question this connection, millions remain convinced of their sensitivity to space weather, and science continues to explore why. The Connection Between Solar Activity and Geomagnetic Storms The Sun is far from calm. Dark
| Science

WHO Launches $1 Billion Appeal Amid Funding Shortfalls and Widening Gaps in Healthcare Access

On February 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its 2026 global appeal to help millions of people living in protracted conflicts and humanitarian crises access lifesaving healthcare. Following a trend of sharply declining international funding, the agency warns that it is becoming increasingly difficult to respond to emerging health threats, including pandemics and drug-resistant infections. Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs }}(document,
| Aid, Armed Conflicts, Climate Change

UN Human Rights Office Launches USD 400 million Appeal to Address Global Human Rights Needs

An artist in Colombia draws an image of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Credit: UN Colombia/Jose Rios Source: UN News The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has launched a USD 400 million funding appeal for 2026 to address global human rights needs, warning that with mounting crises, the world cannot afford a human rights system in crisis. Follow
| Civil Society, Democracy, Global

One hundred years of British interference in Venezuela

The origins of Britain’s interest in Venezuela’s oil RELATED How Britain helped Trump destabilise Venezuela READ MORE  A dangerous opponent of capital The propaganda campaign A 1962 letter sent from Information Research Department officer Leslie Boas to his boss at the Foreign Office (National Archives) Nationalisation rekindled Share of the gravy In 1976, President Carlos Andres Pérez and well-wishers celebrate as Venezuela’s oil industry is
| Archive, Corporations, Intelligence

Trump’s $1.5 Trillion ‘Dream’ Military’

Reprinted from TomDispatch: What constitutes national security and how is it best achieved? Does massive military spending really make a country more secure, and what perils to democracy and liberty are posed by vast military establishments? Questions like those are rarely addressed in honest ways these days in America. Instead, the Trump administration favors preparations […]
| Uncategorized

Nuke treaty loss a 'colossal' failure that could lead to nuclear arms race

Creating joint early warning centers to monitor missile launches e-targeting, so any accidental launch of a nuclear armed missile lands in the ocean;Removing all nuclear weapons from high-alert status;Reducing incentives to respond quickly to an unconfirmed nuclear attack;Reducing the number of deployed nuclear weapons; andRenouncing first use of nuclear weapons and eliminating the President’s authority to launch nuclear weapons without
| New start, Arms race, Arms control

Washington Alleges EU Meddled in European Elections via Digital Censorship

Washington has delivered an unexpected blow to its allies after a confidential report alleged that the European Commission interfered in elections by exerting pressure on major technology companies. US Congress Accuses EU of Election Manipulation A new report by the House Judiciary Committee of the US Congress, published on February 3, 2026, and titled "The Foreign Censorship Threat,” accuses the European
| World

Oksana Fedorova, Donald Trump, and the Decision That Ended Her Miss Universe Reign

Social media users are discussing a theory claiming that Russian model Oksana Fedorova lost her Miss Universe title in order to avoid parties on the island of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. At the time, her refusal sparked public controversy and angered the competition's organizer, Donald Trump, who now serves as President of the United States. Fedorova later explained
| Society

Lebanese state revives Lebanon Television, but is it too late?

After years of administrative paralysis and financial erosion, Lebanon Television has returned, seeking, for the first time in a long time, to regain a minimum level of presence and public role. The appointment of a new board of directors, chaired by Elissar Naddaf, in summer 2025, opened the door to long-awaited reform efforts. Despite this progress, significant challenges remain at the
| MENA

Specialty Coffee as Culture of Taste: From Erna Knutsen to Third Wave

Today, almost everyone knows the benefits of freshly roasted coffee, understands the difference between Arabica and Robusta, and recognizes various brewing methods. However, the term specialty coffee still remains unfamiliar to many. To understand what specialty coffee truly means and how it differs from ordinary coffee, it is worth taking a closer look. The History of the Specialty Coffee Term The
| History, traditions

Football in sun and without shadow: How extreme heat puts tomorrow’s stars at risk

Heat in the home of the world champions Many stadiums due to host games at this year’s men’s World Cup are likely to exceed “safe-play thresholds” for climate hazards, according to researchers. Hydration breaks, such as this one during a club match in 2025, may not be enough to keep players safe (Image: Sportimage / Alamy) Children at risk We don’t really know
| Climate, Global heating, Health

When Protection Meets the Sea: Rethinking Marine Protected Areas with Fishing Communities

Melanie Brown has been fishing salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, for more than 30 years. An Indigenous fisherwoman and a coordinating committee member of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples, she speaks about the sea with deep care and lived knowledge. When interviewed for IPS on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a global conservation policy introduced […]
| Biodiversity, Conservation, Economy & Trade

Climate Change Deepens the Struggles of Tunisia’s Fishermen, as “Kys” Trawlers Boats Steal Their Livelihoods

His face spoke of helplessness and frustration as he wondered how he would provide for his family this month. His family’s livelihood depends on the small income he earns from selling the few fish he catches. The challenges faced by the fishermen are not limited to weather fluctuations affecting their catches. Illegal fishing boats, known as “kys” trawlers, also operate in
| Non classé

To Fix the Rupture, Trade is not Enough

UN Secretary-General António Guterres (left), is participating in a meeting with the Heads of State and Government of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. Credit: UNRIC/Miranda Alexander-Webber Source: UN News Will trade be enough to navigate the current waves of chaos and disorder that are underpinning the ongoing rifts among competing powerful and hegemon nations and the rest? Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs
| Development & Aid, Featured, Global

India on the International Stage: The 2026-2027 Boundary

At the turn of 2026 and 2027, India, as a key global player, carried out a number of events that will undoubtedly influence global political processes. Strengthening the Ruling Party’s Position Domestically First and foremost, it is worth noting the significant strengthening of the ruling coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India’s […]
| India, Politics, Internal policy

Trump Is Dragging World Toward a New Nuclear Arms Race

Among the critical issues facing our country today, nuclear arms control is seldom top of mind for most people, understandably, given our myriad political, social and economic crises. Recent books and films such as Annie Jacobsen’s 2004 non-fiction tome Nuclear War: A Scenario and last fall’s A House of Dynamite, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, garnered […]
| Uncategorized

After the mandate: China’s energy storage sector one year on

The rise and fall of the energy storage mandate Making money on the market What are ancillary services? A shared energy storage project located in south-east China’s coastal city of Fuzhou, Fujian province. Stations like this enable a variety of users, from renewable energy plants to entities with high energy consumption, to share the power being stored there (Image: CFOTO / Sipa USA
| Energy, Energy storage, Policy

Gold rush in Asia fuels mercury pollution

Mercury moves south The cost of gold mining Mercury being used with sodium cyanide to obtain gold particles from ore at a mine in Lombok, Indonesia (Image: Erberto Zani / Alamy) Mercury in the ocean and seafood Assessing mercury risks should be led by widespread and credible testing by governmentWang Wenxiong, City University of Hong Kong professor Recommended Stronger policy guidance needed in the Global
| Pollution, Food, Ocean

Tariffs Instead of Bombs: Understanding Economic Leverage over Iran and Eurasia

Donald Trump has obviously changed the US approach to global conflicts. Today, it is more advantageous for America not to fight directly but to earn and control through tariffs, sanctions, blocking transport corridors, and managing the flow of goods and resources. Why Economic Pressure Is More Advantageous than War War has become too expensive and risky, while economic pressure proves far
| World

The Palestine Chronicle: ‘This Is Our Problem’: Guardiola Speaks on Gaza as Hedvig Lindahl Rejects FIFA ‘Peace Campaign’

Key Takeaways Pep Guardiola described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and called silence a moral failure. Guardiola said global injustices — from Gaza to Sudan and Ukraine — demand human, not political, responses. Former Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl rejected a FIFA honor, accusing it of whitewashing Israeli crimes. Lindahl criticized FIFA’s double standards, noting Israel faces no sanctions despite mass Palestinian deaths. Both interventions
| Uncategorized, Link, The Palestine Chronicle

Traditional Equestrian Javelin draws growing interest in eastern Türkiye

With deep historical roots extending from the vast steppes of Central Asia to the heart of Anatolia, Equestrian Javelin or jereed — known as “Atlı Cirit" in Turkish — is enjoying a lively revival and has become a major draw for winter tourism across the snow-swept landscapes of the eastern province of Kars.
| Türkiye

‘We Are Seeing an Economic Transition, but No Democratic Transition’

  CIVICUS discusses the situation following the US intervention in Venezuela with Guillermo Miguelena Palacios, director of the Venezuelan Progressive Institute, a think tank that promotes spaces for dialogue and democratic leadership. On 3 January, a US military intervention culminated in the arrest and extradition of President Nicolás Maduro, who had stayed in power after refusing to recognise the results of the
| Active Citizens, Civil Society, Crime & Justice

Islamic Fundamentalism, Narcotics Production in Afghanistan Backed by U.S.

Edu Montesanti. An Interview with RAWA Afghanistan, the worst country for women among 188 countries worldwide according to Women, Peace and Security, an institution affiliated with US Georgetown University: this is not post-9/11 attacks news reproduction, when then-President George W. Bush decided to invade the Asian country more than 24 years ago, allegedly to ¨liberate the Afghan women from oppression¨. Last December
| World

Humanitarian Access Collapses as Yemen’s Political and Security Crisis Deepens

In recent weeks, Yemen’s humanitarian crisis has sharply worsened, as escalating food insecurity and brutal clashes between armed actors have prompted United Nations (UN) officials to warn that the country is approaching a critical breaking point. Intensified violence has increasingly obstructed lifesaving humanitarian operations, while deepening economic and political instability continues to erode access to essential services. As a result,
| Aid, Armed Conflicts, Crime & Justice

Caitlin Johnstone – Please Understand That Nothing Will Be Done About The Epstein Files

Caitlin Johnstone is a reader-supported independent journalist from Melbourne, Australia. Her political writings can be found on Medium. Articles are re-posted from Caitlins Newsletter To watch this video go HERE and scroll down The power structure which birthed the Epstein abuses is not going to do anything about the Epstein abuses. The only thing that might possibly change is that some people may become
| Corruption, Political Parties, Regulatory Capture

The Korean Peninsula in the US National Defense Strategy

According to the new US National Defense Strategy, the United States places primary responsibility for “deterring” North Korea on the Republic of Korea. A Brief Overview of the Strategy On January 23, 2026, the Pentagon published the National Defense Strategy (NDS) for 2026. It expresses a desire to “seek to make it as easy as […]
| North Korea, Politics, South Korea

The most important variables affecting the disintegration or unification of Yemen

Meanwhile, pursuing missions such as internal solidarity and managing relations between the north and south can help unity. The country of Yemen is significant from a strategic and geopolitical point of view in the southwest of Asia and the south of the Arabian Peninsula. The current crisis in Yemen simultaneously includes political, economic, social, and […]
| Columns, Locations, Politics

Protecting Africa’s Ocean Future and Why a Precautionary Pause on Deep-sea Mining Matters

The world is entering a decisive period for the future of the ocean. With the High Seas Treaty coming into force and meaningful progress being made on the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, global momentum for stronger marine governance is building. Yet, new pressures linked to the push for deep-sea mining — the extraction of minerals from seabed
| Africa, Biodiversity, Climate Action

US Tightens Blockade Against Cuba

The machinery of suffocation A constant war: The imperial playbook from Eisenhower to Trump Dwight Eisenhower (1960) initiated the aggression with the first blockade after Cuba nationalized U.S.-owned refineries. John F. Kennedy (1961-63) escalated with the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, made the blockade total and greenlit Operation Mongoose, a secret program of sabotage and attempted assassination of Cuban leaders, including over 630
| Americas, Business & Economy, Courts & Law

Epstein Files in 2026: The Truth They Let Us Know

There is a tragedy in 2026 that almost no one articulates openly. The "Epstein files" turned out not to be an explosion but an inventory. This is not "a terrifying truth that emerged," but a truth we were allowed to read — because it is no longer dangerous. It will be diluted, discussed, and forgotten — like Watergate, WikiLeaks, or Monica with
| World

The Delicate Balance of International Migration

Migrant workers can be found across all skill levels. Despite many possessing higher qualifications, they are often concentrated in lower-skilled industries such as services, agriculture, construction, and tourism. However, sectors and occupations related to high-skilled information technology and professional work often rely on skilled migrant labor to address labor shortages The populations of most developed countries and many developing countries
| Global, Headlines, Migration & Refugees

From Davos to Sanctions: What Epstein Files Reveal About Russian Oligarchs

A newly published collection of documents released by the US Department of Justice sheds light on the breadth of interests pursued by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The materials indicate that Epstein received and studied curated selections of media coverage focused on Russia's largest businessmen, their participation in global economic forums, legal disputes, Western sanctions against Russia, and the activities of
| World

What the collapse of the world order means for Asia

The collapse of the global order will not begin with a war in Asia but with the realization that rules no longer bind the strong and alliances no longer oblige the powerful. At Davos, European and Canadian leaders did not merely criticize US policy; they questioned the durability of the postwar system itself. President Donald […]
| Asia, Columns, Politics

Is it the Budgetary Crisis – Or Leadership Crisis – Facing the United Nations – Or Both?

In the month of February 2025, one year ago, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commenced his briefing of the media by announcing that “I want to start by expressing my deep concern about information received in the last 48 hours by UN agencies — as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs — regarding severe cuts in funding by the
| Civil Society, Democracy, Global

High Seas Treaty Will Transform Our Fragile Ocean for the Better

Game-changing international ocean treaty comes into force. Credit: NOAA Deep-sea corals were among the treasures found during an expedition in the North Marianas Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Source: UN News He was commenting after the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) [1] finally achieved ratification, going on to call for “a swift, full implementation” from all partners. As of January 17, 2026,
| Climate Change, Development & Aid, Environment

Group of 77—Representing 134 Nations, Plus China—Protest Funding Cuts for South-South Cooperation

A sharp cut in funding for “South-South Cooperation” (UNOSSC) has triggered a strong protest from the 134-member Group of 77 (G-77), described as the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries within the United Nations. 1. “South-South cooperation remains a central pillar of the work of the United Nations and is of particular importance to developing countries. The United Nations Office for
| Development & Aid, Featured, Global

Iran Protesters Include Mossad and MEK

Donald Trump has promoted the idea – amplified by much of the international media – that protesters inside Iran are calling for U.S. military intervention and the overthrow of their government. At the same time, Trump is threatening Iran with major military action, demanding not only changes in how protesters are treated, but that Iran […]
| Uncategorized

La fantasía Bitcóin en El Salvador mientras los trabajadores pierden sus empleos

El paraíso cripto de unos pocos Los visitantes observan la puesta de sol en la playa El Tunco, que forma parte de Surf City, una iniciativa del presidente de El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, para impulsar el turismo, en La Libertad, El Salvador, el jueves 1 de febrero de 2024. (Foto AP/Moises Castillo) Los que viven fuera de la burbuja cripto Familias pasean en
| Americas, Business & Economy, Courts & Law

Bitcoin Country

Dozens of workers denounced arbitrary firings, unfair compensation and mistreatment by the Salvadoran government at a press conference held by Salvadoran health sector organizations. (Photo by Suchit Chávez) Crypto paradise for a select few Visitors watch the sunset at El Tunco beach, which is part of Surf City, an initiative by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to attract tourists, in the La
| Americas, Business & Economy, Courts & Law

Why the US–Iran War Still Has Not Begun — and What Is Really Stopping Trump

For several weeks now, the world has been living in anticipation of a major war between the United States and Iran. Aircraft carriers, strategic aviation, ultimatums, and sharply escalating rhetoric have created the impression that a military strike is merely a matter of time. When Pressure Matters More Than War Yet week after week passes, and the war does not begin.
| World

US Consolidates Control Over Proxies Amid War on Multipolarism

Behind the political theater that is the “US-European split,” exists an aggressive campaign of US consolidation over its many proxies — including and perhaps especially over Europe itself. Narratives floating through Western media space depict the US as challenging or threatening not only Europe over control of Denmark’s Greenland territory but also Canada in North America. […]
| Columns, Europe, Locations