Latest news with #Western-led
DW
a day ago
- Business
- DW
Indonesia inks strategic partnership with Russia – DW – 06/19/2025
The leaders of Russia and Indonesia met in St Petersburg, where they lauded strong bilateral ties and Jakarta's new role in the BRICS grouping. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed a strategic partnership agreement with Russia on Thursday following talks in St Petersburg with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The agreement comes as Indonesia enters the BRICS grouping as a full member, and Prabowo on Thursday thanked Putin for his support on Indonesia's BRICS bid. "Today we have met and our relationship is getting stronger again," Prabowo said in a statement. "My meeting with President Putin today was intense, warm and productive. In all fields of economics, technical cooperation, trade, investment, agriculture, they all have experienced significant improvements," the statement said. Putin called Indonesia one of Russia's "key partners" in the Asia Pacific. "Our relations are mutually beneficial and are steadily developing on the basis of long-standing traditions of friendship and mutual assistance," he said. Another BRIC in the wall The BRICS grouping was conceived as a counter to Western-led forums like the G7, and has provided Putin with an avenue out of international diplomatic isolation over his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow's deepening of ties with Indonesia is seen as part of a bid to partner with more global south countries. During the meeting Thursday at St Petersburg's Constantine Palace, Putin said he was confident Indonesia would make a significant contribution to the BRICS grouping, whose other members include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Russia has also proposed deepening military, security, trade and nuclear ties with Indonesia. During the meeting, sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia and the Russian Direct Investment Fund agreed to create an investment fund worth $2.29 billion (€2 billion). Indonesia's non-alignment Indonesia's president maintains a non-aligned foreign policy, vowing to share close ties with any country, including Russia and the United States. Prabowo's government has already announced trade concessions to avert the threat of tariffs from US President Donald Trump. He also insists Indonesia will not join any military bloc, although it conducted joint naval exercises with Russia in the Java Sea last November. In 2023, it upgraded its relationship with the US to a comprehensive strategic partnership. And Prabowo's government has already announced trade concessions to avert the threat of tariffs from US President Donald Trump. What is BRICS and what does it want? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nevertheless, Jakarta's close ties with Russia have caused concern among Indonesia's Western allies. Prabowo skipped the G7 summit in Canada this week in favor of meeting Putin in Russia. His last visit to Russia was in August 2024, as Indonesian defense minister and president-elect. At the time he described Russia as a "great friend." Edited by: Zac Crellin
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
The Sunday Independent's View: Innocents pay the price for Middle East power games
Micheál Martin and Simon Harris have been among the most acerbic critics of Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government, but followed other EU leaders in falling short of outright condemnation, settling instead for carefully-worded calls for restraint and dialogue. There could scarcely be a starker illustration of Iran's diplomatic isolation. Irish leaders might not directly support strikes, but nor can they be seen to be batting for the ayatollahs, whose own poisonous ideology has contributed to keeping the region permanently teetering on the brink. Israel's argument has always been that the West faces the same enemies as it does; Israel just happens to be surrounded by them. Being confronted with this uncomfortable realpolitik was always the risk from burning diplomatic bridges with Israel, as the Irish Government has done lately. If it came down to a wider war between Israel and Iran, Western leaders were bound to stand on the side of the former. France has already pledged to defend Israel from Iranian retaliation. To acknowledge as much is not to say Israel was right to target Iran. No one knows how close Iran is — or was, before last week, at least — to developing nuclear capabilities. It has been rumoured to be nudging closer to that goal for many years. However, advanced or not as its nuclear ambitions may be, it is not in the interests of the world that it achieves them. At the same time, Israel's recklessness cannot be accepted as normal either. The problem with such actions is that at some point someone is going to get hurt — innocents usually, who have little to do with the political tensions for which they always pay the price. The best hope is that Iran, having symbolically hit back, quickly climbs down President Trump will be criticised for backing the attack on Iran, even as his own lack of influence with Israeli hardliners is humiliatingly exposed. The truth is that every US president would probably have done the same. If Trump can be taken to task for anything, it is calling for the people of Iran to overthrow the regime that has ruled the country since 1979 (Libya has hardly been a model of stability since the Western-led coalition deposed Colonel Gaddafi). Attempts to topple Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad similarly led in turn to all-out civil war and the emboldening of Islamic State. Another war in the Middle East would undoubtedly lead to millions more fleeing the region in search of a safe haven in Europe, where tensions over mass immigration are already dangerously inflamed. The best hope is that Iran, having symbolically hit back at the wave of attacks by Israel, quickly climbs down. The Iranian people, if the ayatollahs even care about them at this stage, have nothing to gain from war, and less still from widening it to include the US. Tehran is already weak. The reality of power in the region inevitably means defiance invites disaster. Israel has refrained from attacking Iran's oil refineries, which would plunge the country's fragile economy into crisis. They may not hold off for long if the tit-for-tat of missiles escalates. The world can only pray that Mr Trump was telling the truth when he promised US voters in November that the era of America getting involved in foreign wars had come to an end.
Qatar Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Iran doubles down as US signals Israel could strike during nuclear talks
agencies Tehran, Iran Iranian authorities have remained defiant amid concerns that Israel could launch an attack on Iran as the global nuclear watchdog adopts another Western-led censure resolution. Even as Oman confirmed on Thursday that it will host a sixth round of talks on Sunday between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, reports by outlets such as The New York Times, quoting officials in the US and Europe, warned that Israel is 'ready' to attack Iran, even without military backing from Washington. Israel has long threatened to attack Iran's nuclear sites. The administration of US President Donald Trump also carried out a partial evacuation of embassy staff in Iraq and dependants of US personnel across the Middle East in a sign of escalating tension in the region. 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen,' said Trump at a White House event on Thursday, commenting on the likelihood of an Israeli strike. 'We will not give in to America's coercion and bullying,' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised speech in the western city of Ilam on Thursday, pointing out that Iran resisted eight years of invasion in the 1980s by neighbouring Iraq, which was backed by many foreign powers. Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told state television that if Israel attacks, it would be met with a 'history-making' response that would go far beyond Iran's two rounds of retaliatory strikes on Israel last year. He said Iran is not 'defenceless and encircled' like Gaza, where the Israeli military has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. Speaking to a crowd in Tehran, IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani said Iran's armed forces have made significant strides in improving their attacking capabilities in the months since the previous missile barrages launched against Israel. 'If they think the axis of resistance and Iran have been weakened and then boast based on that, it is all a dream,' said the commander, who leads the external force of the IRGC, which is tasked with expanding Iran's regional influence. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, announced on Thursday that he has given the order to launch more military exercises after a series of large-scale drills were held across Iran earlier this year. After days of deliberation, the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday passed a resolution to censure Iran over its advancing nuclear programme and several outstanding cases involving unexplained nuclear materials found at Iranian sites. The resolution was put forward in Vienna by the US along with France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three European nations who are still party to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which Trump unilaterally abandoned in 2018.
See - Sada Elbalad
12-06-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
In Recent Years, Central Banks Have Increased Their Gold Purchases—Often in Secret
Waleed Farouk In recent years, central banks have significantly ramped up their gold purchases—many of which have been carried out in complete secrecy. Gold has regained a strategic position in the portfolios of central banks around the world, but what's particularly striking is the growing number of "hidden" or undisclosed purchases. This trend has sparked widespread questions in economic and financial circles: Why are some countries keeping their gold buying under wraps? And what do they aim to achieve through this secrecy? Rising Purchases, Murky Details According to the World Gold Council, central bank gold purchases have reached their highest levels in decades over the past two years. A large portion of these operations were not publicly disclosed at the time, categorized under "unreported entities." In its latest report, the Council noted that around 20% of central bank gold purchases in 2023 were made without revealing the identities of the buying parties—an unprecedented rate since the collapse of the Bretton Woods system. Central banks added 1,037 tonnes of gold to their reserves in 2023, marking the second-largest annual purchase in history after 2022. The upward trend continued in 2024, with purchases totaling 1,045 tonnes. China was among the most prominent buyers, boosting its gold reserves for 17 consecutive months. Known buyers include China, Russia, Turkey, and India, but the increase in undisclosed purchases suggests that other nations are quietly moving for reasons that may be economic, political, or strategic. Why Are Central Banks Buying Gold—And Why in Secret? 1. Diversification and Risk Hedging Central banks view gold as a safe-haven asset and a reliable store of value, especially during times of economic crisis and geopolitical instability. Gold helps diversify a country's foreign reserves, reducing dependence on a single currency like the U.S. dollar. This diversification provides protection against inflation and currency fluctuations, and it also reduces the risk of asset freezes or seizures in case of economic sanctions. 2. Geopolitical Tensions and Distrust in the Dollar Amid the growing use of the U.S. dollar as an economic weapon, some countries have sought to diversify away from the American financial system. Following the freezing of Russia's foreign reserves in 2022, many central banks realized that the U.S. dollar could be weaponized. This realization has led numerous nations—particularly emerging economies—to seek alternatives. Gold, being politically neutral, offers a safe option amid these tensions. 3. De-dollarization Gold is now seen as a strategic alternative to the Western-led financial system. Some countries—especially China and Russia—have been stockpiling gold as part of efforts to build a new, more dollar-independent monetary system. BRICS countries, in particular, are aiming to reduce the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global finance. Large-scale gold purchases are part of a broader strategy to strengthen local currencies and reduce reliance on the dollar in international trade. This reflects a desire to construct a more multipolar world order. 4. Currency Protection Some nations, such as Egypt and Turkey, are buying gold to protect their local currencies from devaluation and to diversify their investments. In the event of a crisis, gold can easily be converted into any currency, providing central banks with liquidity and flexibility. Additionally, some central banks opt to purchase gold secretly to avoid causing panic or negative expectations in their domestic markets. Announcing large gold acquisitions might be interpreted as a signal of weakness or lack of confidence in the local currency or financial system—something governments are keen to avoid. Who Are the 'Unknown Buyers'? While countries like China and India have been gradually disclosing their purchases, other players—possibly from Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America—prefer to stay in the shadows, at least until they've secured their targeted quantities. Data analysis suggests that these "undisclosed buyers" may be aiming to bolster financial independence amid geopolitical tensions, support their currencies amid inflationary pressures or economic stress, and safeguard their reserves from risks tied to the global financial system. Many central banks, especially China's, reportedly conduct their gold purchases in strict secrecy. It is believed that about two-thirds of these transactions go unreported officially. This discretion aims to avoid impacting global gold prices, maintain market stability, and prevent attention being drawn to their reserve diversification strategies. What Could This Trend Mean? Ultimately, this movement could be part of a structural shift in the global financial system. Confidence in traditional paper-based assets is waning, and gold is reemerging as a 'silent anchor' in global monetary policy. If this trend continues, we could be entering a new phase where the global economic power map is redrawn—not just on the ground or in energy markets, but also in gold vaults. The rising trend of central bank gold buying—particularly when done in secrecy—reflects a strategic shift in reserve management. Fears over geopolitical conflict, distrust in the dollar, and the need for asset diversification are driving banks to strengthen their holdings in gold as a safe and reliable haven in an uncertain world. This trend is expected to continue, potentially impacting global gold prices in the near future. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
MrBeast shuts down fake TikTok news accusing him of abandoning wells in Africa, says 'I'm so over being defamed'
(Image via YouTube/@MrBeast) Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast , is used to being in the spotlight, but this time, it's not for one of his headline-making giveaways. The world's biggest YouTuber recently clapped back hard at allegations that he abandoned his charitable water well project in Africa. The claims, which surfaced via a TikTok video, quickly caught fire, but MrBeast wasn't having it. Here's everything that went down. The Allegation That Sparked the Firestorm A recently created TikTok account posted a video accusing MrBeast of neglecting the water wells he built across Africa in 2023. The video implied that the wells had fallen into disrepair, been left unmaintained, and essentially abandoned, with no support for the communities they were intended to serve. The accusation quickly made its way across platforms, with viewers questioning the longevity and follow-up support behind MrBeast's humanitarian efforts. MrBeast's Explosive Response: 'Not a Real News Site!' It didn't take long for MrBeast to hit back. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he called out the video for spreading misinformation and slammed the account behind it. In a strongly worded post, he wrote: ' Random person makes a brand new TikTok account, makes a video that's a straight up lie about the wells I built, and now you're all falling for it. THIS IS NOT A REAL NEWS SITE THIS IS A RANDOM BRAND NEW TIKTOK ACCOUNT COSPLAYING AS ONE! I'm so over being defamed .' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He didn't mince words, and his frustration was loud and clear. What People Are Missing About Beast Philanthropy This controversy touches a nerve because it questions the credibility of Beast Philanthropy , MrBeast's charity-focused YouTube channel. Unlike his main channel, which features high-stakes challenges and giveaways, Beast Philanthropy runs on a different engine: every dollar earned goes directly into funding and maintaining charitable projects like food drives, housing initiatives, and yes, the African water wells. Since the wells were built, the channel has maintained that these efforts are ongoing, with teams on the ground and a long-term vision. The idea that they were simply left to rot didn't sit right with MrBeast — or many of his fans. Why Africa Needs Mr. Beast What's the Real Story? As of now, there is no verified evidence that the wells are in disrepair or that MrBeast abandoned them. The TikTok account that posted the video has little background, no journalistic credibility, and no direct source verification. Critics like Senegalese blogger Magatte Wade have shared opinions on Western-led aid in Africa, but even her post didn't confirm any negligence — it was more of a broader critique on global philanthropy models. Final Thoughts MrBeast is no stranger to controversy, but he's rarely this vocal in his pushback. His swift and emotional response underscores how personal his philanthropic efforts are. Whether you're a fan or a skeptic, one thing's clear: this is more than just content for him.
