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  • US will have to do ‘something very tough’ if no deal reached with Iran, says Trump

    US will have to do ‘something very tough’ if no deal reached with Iran, says Trump

    President Donald Trump has issued a grave ultimatum to Iran regarding ongoing nuclear negotiations, warning that the United States will be compelled to take “something very tough” should diplomatic efforts collapse. In an exclusive interview with Israel’s Channel 12 published Tuesday, the president presented a binary choice between reaching a comprehensive agreement or facing severe consequences.

    The statement comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East as multiple news outlets, including Axios and Israel’s Channel 12, report the administration is actively considering military reinforcement options. Most notably, deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the region is under serious consideration, signaling potential preparation for heightened confrontation.

    These developments occur against a complex backdrop of longstanding disputes over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and more recent international condemnation of Tehran’s crackdown on domestic protests. The simultaneous addressing of both security concerns and human rights issues represents a multifaceted challenge to diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran.

    The president’s comments suggest a critical juncture in negotiations, implying that diplomatic patience is wearing thin while military options are being actively contemplated. This strategic positioning indicates a potential shift from multilateral engagement toward unilateral action should current talks fail to produce acceptable terms.

  • LuLu expands UAE retail footprint with Adnoc tie-up, plans five new stores

    LuLu expands UAE retail footprint with Adnoc tie-up, plans five new stores

    In a strategic move reshaping the UAE’s retail landscape, LuLu Group International has entered a transformative partnership with ADNOC Distribution to launch five new convenience stores across next-generation roadside destinations. The collaboration commenced with the inauguration of the inaugural LuLu Daily outlet at The Hub by ADNOC on Saadiyat Island, marking a significant evolution in integrated retail experiences.

    The newly opened 16,566 square foot facility represents a paradigm shift in convenience retail, strategically positioned within ADNOC’s innovative Hub concept that merges traditional fuel services with comprehensive lifestyle amenities. This next-generation retail environment combines dining options, shopping facilities, co-working spaces, fitness areas, and family recreation zones, effectively transforming conventional service stations into vibrant community hubs.

    Senior executives from both corporations formalized the long-term alliance through the signing of strategic memoranda of understanding, committing to establish four additional LuLu Daily stores at various Hub locations nationwide by mid-2027. The partnership aligns with both organizations’ objectives to capitalize on evolving consumer behavior patterns and mobility trends across the Emirates.

    Yusuffali M.A., Chairman of LuLu Group International, emphasized the partnership’s core focus on elevating customer convenience while delivering premium retail and culinary experiences along major transportation corridors. He expressed conviction that this collaboration would effectively address the UAE’s dynamic lifestyle requirements while establishing foundations for sustained bilateral cooperation.

    Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, characterized the Saadiyat Island launch as a pivotal milestone in the company’s strategy to expand customized roadside retail offerings. He highlighted the Hub model’s inherent flexibility in adapting to specific community needs, enabling delivery of tailored retail and mobility solutions across diverse demographic segments.

    The new LuLu Daily outlet features an extensive product assortment including fresh produce, grocery essentials, meat and dairy products, bakery items, beauty products, toys, and household necessities. Designed with convenience as a paramount consideration, the store incorporates self-checkout systems and optimized parking access, reflecting both companies’ customer-centric operational philosophy.

    This retail integration initiative positions quality grocery and fresh food offerings within immediate proximity of residential communities and high-traffic mobility routes, further consolidating the UAE’s status as the region’s most innovative and dynamic retail market.

  • China’s panda diplomacy is becoming a liability for Beijing

    China’s panda diplomacy is becoming a liability for Beijing

    Japan marked a historic diplomatic milestone on January 27th as the nation bid farewell to its last remaining giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who were returned to China ahead of schedule. This departure signifies the first time since 1972—when diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Beijing were normalized—that Japan finds itself without any pandas within its borders.

    The repatriation of these beloved creatures occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two Asian powers. The situation deteriorated notably following November comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting potential military response to Chinese actions toward Taiwan, which provoked strong objections from Beijing.

    China’s longstanding practice of ‘panda diplomacy’ dates back to the 7th century Empress Wu Zetian, who gifted bears to Japan as goodwill gestures. Modern panda diplomacy emerged in the 1970s as China sought to build international relationships, presenting pandas to major economies including the US, France, and the UK. Since 1984, due to declining wild populations, China has transitioned to long-term loan agreements requiring host countries to pay up to $1 million annually in conservation fees.

    The current reduction in panda loans—from 21 countries in 2019 to 16 today—reflects both diplomatic considerations and domestic pressures. Pandas hold profound emotional significance for the Chinese public as national treasures, and perceived mistreatment abroad can generate substantial backlash. This sensitivity was demonstrated when panda Le Le’s death at Memphis Zoo in 2023 sparked accusations of mishandling on Chinese social media.

    Despite being a soft power tool, panda diplomacy faces limitations beyond geopolitical tensions. Conservationists criticize the practice for using animals as political pawns, while questions persist about its actual conservation impact despite the significant fees involved. The International Union for Conservation of Nature still classifies giant pandas as ‘vulnerable.’

    The early recall of Japan’s pandas and suspension of negotiations for new loans illustrates how these charismatic animals remain entangled in the complex web of international relations, serving as both ambassadors and indicators of diplomatic climates between nations.

  • Gaza’s displaced girls channel war pain through boxing in makeshift ring

    Gaza’s displaced girls channel war pain through boxing in makeshift ring

    In the sprawling displacement camps of southern Gaza, an unconventional form of therapy is taking root amid the rubble of conflict. Dozens of young Palestinian girls, aged 8 to 19, are channeling their wartime trauma through disciplined boxing training in a remarkably improvised athletic facility.

    Osama Ayub, a former boxing coach whose Gaza City club and home were obliterated during the Israel-Hamas conflict, has established a unique sanctuary for displaced youth. Now residing in Khan Yunis, Ayub conducts free training sessions three times weekly for 45 aspiring boxers, using equipment crafted from scavenged materials. The training ring, constructed from wooden planks without protective mats or safety measures, stands as a testament to both resourcefulness and desperation.

    ‘These girls carry profound psychological wounds from continuous bombardment and personal loss,’ Ayub explained. ‘Through boxing, they discover an emotional outlet to express their pent-up pain and frustration.’ The sessions provide crucial psychological relief for children who have endured unimaginable trauma, with many having lost family members and homes.

    Among the participants, 14-year-old Ghazal Radwan aspires to become an international champion who will ‘raise the Palestinian flag worldwide.’ Her teammate Rimas, 16, continues training despite the ongoing conflict, though she acknowledges the severe equipment shortages: ‘We train on sand and need proper gloves, shoes, and punching bags.’

    The initiative faces substantial challenges due to Israel’s strict blockade on Gaza, which severely restricts construction materials and sports equipment. Building supplies are routinely denied entry by Israeli officials, complicating even basic facility maintenance. In January, Palestinian authorities reported that Israel blocked a shipment of artificial turf donated by China for sporting facilities.

    Ayub has appealed to the international community for support, emphasizing that proper training equipment and opportunities for international competition would provide vital psychological reinforcement for Gaza’s traumatized youth. The boxing program represents one of many grassroots efforts emerging across Gaza to address the massive mental health crisis among children affected by prolonged conflict and displacement.

  • Lebanon, Jordan seek solutions after Damascus bans non-Syrian trucks

    Lebanon, Jordan seek solutions after Damascus bans non-Syrian trucks

    A sudden regulatory shift by Syrian authorities prohibiting foreign commercial trucks from entering its territory has triggered significant logistical disruptions and prompted urgent diplomatic engagement from neighboring Lebanon and Jordan. The policy directive, enacted on Saturday, mandates that all non-Syrian freight carriers must unload their cargo at designated border zones, effectively barring them from transiting through Syrian road networks.

    Visual evidence from the Masnaa border crossing revealed extensive queues of stranded Lebanese trucks, illustrating the immediate impact of Damascus’s decision. Lebanese transportation official Ahmad Tamer clarified that this measure represents a broader regulatory action rather than a targeted sanction, with approximately 500 Lebanese trucks typically crossing into Syria daily. Concurrently, Jordanian authorities reported similar operational challenges at the Nassib crossing, where roughly 250 Jordanian trucks undergo daily processing.

    The Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs characterized the move as part of ongoing efforts to systematize cargo movement through national ports. However, Lebanese transport associations have voiced strong opposition, warning through official channels about potentially severe economic repercussions given Syria’s critical role as Lebanon’s sole land conduit to Gulf markets.

    This trade disruption occurs against a backdrop of gradual diplomatic normalization. Mere days before the truck ban implementation, Lebanese and Syrian officials finalized an agreement transferring 300 Syrian prisoners from Lebanese to Damascus custody, signaling continued efforts to rebuild bilateral relations despite current trade complications.

  • Will Donroe Doctrine really cut China’s Western Hemisphere clout?

    Will Donroe Doctrine really cut China’s Western Hemisphere clout?

    The Trump administration’s newly unveiled National Security Strategy contains a potentially transformative policy shift that extends beyond its anticipated Asia-focused provisions. While the document’s Asia section reiterates familiar calls for rebalancing trade relations and reducing mutual economic dependence with China, the Western Hemisphere segment introduces what analysts have termed the “Donroe Doctrine”—a more immediate strategic concern for Beijing.

    This doctrine explicitly commits to denying “non-Hemispheric competitors” the ability to position forces, control strategic assets, or maintain threatening capabilities within the Western Hemisphere. Most significantly, it pledges to “make every effort to push out foreign companies that build infrastructure in the region”—a clear reference to China’s substantial investments despite avoiding direct naming.

    China has invested approximately $300 billion in Latin American infrastructure projects, including critical energy assets. Chinese companies currently provide electricity to Lima, Peru, and distribute two-thirds of Chile’s electrical power. The state-owned COSCO’s multi-billion dollar port project in Chancay, Peru—proximate to a U.S.-funded naval base upgrade—represents particularly strategic infrastructure that enhances Brazilian agricultural exports while raising U.S. military intelligence concerns.

    The administration demonstrates seriousness through recent actions, including Panama’s Supreme Court voiding a Hong Kong company’s contract to operate ports at both ends of the Panama Canal following U.S. pressure. The document explicitly references enforcing a modernized Monroe Doctrine to restore American hemispheric preeminence, suggesting willingness to employ force as demonstrated in Venezuela.

    Beijing now faces critical calculations regarding how extensively the U.S. might pursue Chinese divestment from hemispheric infrastructure, and what countermeasures might prove effective against this emerging doctrine that echoes historical imperial prerogatives.

  • Former senior US diplomat urges Congress to keep US troops in Syria

    Former senior US diplomat urges Congress to keep US troops in Syria

    In a significant congressional testimony on Tuesday, former US Ambassador James Jeffrey issued a compelling appeal to lawmakers to sustain American military presence in Syria until the mission against Islamic State (IS) reaches definitive resolution. This development emerges amid serious deliberations within the Trump administration regarding complete troop withdrawal following Syria’s political transformation under new President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

    Jeffrey, who served as Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter IS, emphasized the strategic necessity of maintaining approximately 800-1,000 US troops alongside diplomatic personnel who could operate flexibly within Syria. His expert testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs highlighted concerns about the potential collapse of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the unresolved status of IS detainees.

    The geopolitical landscape has shifted substantially since December 2024, when al-Sharaa’s Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction assumed control after former president Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow. This transition has prompted unprecedented diplomatic engagement, including three direct meetings between al-Sharaa and President Trump, who has publicly praised the Syrian leader as “highly respected” and “a tough cookie.”

    Complicating the strategic calculus, US Central Command has initiated transfers of 150 IS-affiliated prisoners from Syrian camps to secure facilities in Iraq, with plans to relocate all detainees ultimately. Meanwhile, Washington is actively mediating security arrangements between Syria and Israel, though negotiations face obstacles regarding Israeli troops stationed on Mount Hermon, which Israel considers a “red line” issue.

    Jeffrey’s testimony revealed previously undisclosed cooperation between US agencies and al-Sharaa dating to 2016, noting that despite HTS’s terrorist designation, the group had effectively collaborated against IS forces and assisted in managing humanitarian crises along the Turkish border. This complex history underscores the diplomatic challenges as the administration reevaluates its Middle East strategy amid Syria’s remarkable political transformation.

  • US opposes West Bank annexation after Israel tightens grip

    US opposes West Bank annexation after Israel tightens grip

    In a significant diplomatic development, the United States has formally declared its opposition to Israel’s annexation of the West Bank while simultaneously refraining from direct criticism of recent Israeli actions to strengthen its control over the occupied Palestinian territory. A Trump administration official stated late Monday that President Donald Trump “does not support Israel annexing the West Bank,” emphasizing that regional stability aligns with Washington’s peace objectives.

    The statement came hours after Israel’s security cabinet approved measures facilitating Jewish Israeli land purchases in the West Bank and expanding Israeli administrative control over areas currently governed by the Palestinian Authority. These controversial decisions preceded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with President Trump, where discussions were expected to focus on increasing pressure against Iran.

    International reaction has been swift and condemnatory. Foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority nations—Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey—collectively denounced Israel’s moves as “illegal” in the strongest terms. The European Union characterized the decision as “another step in the wrong direction,” while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern regarding the potential implications for regional stability and peace prospects.

    The nuanced American position highlights the complex diplomatic balancing act undertaken by Washington, which maintains its status as Israel’s primary international ally while attempting to navigate increasingly contentious territorial disputes in the region.

  • US Secretary of Commerce claims no ties with Epstein amid resignation calls

    US Secretary of Commerce claims no ties with Epstein amid resignation calls

    U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense congressional scrutiny Tuesday as he vehemently denied maintaining any substantive relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite newly revealed evidence suggesting otherwise. The controversy emerged following January’s Justice Department release of millions of Epstein-related documents, including emails indicating Lutnick visited Epstein’s private island for lunch years after allegedly severing connections.

    During a tense Senate committee hearing, Lutnick acknowledged only minimal contact with Epstein—approximately ten emails and three meetings over fourteen years. He characterized the island lunch as an incidental occurrence during a boating excursion with his family, insisting he merely ‘happened to be in the vicinity.’

    ‘I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person,’ Lutnick asserted under questioning from Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

    The secretary now faces bipartisan calls for resignation amid apparent contradictions between the documented evidence and his previous statements. Lutnick had previously claimed he vowed never to ‘be in a room’ with Epstein following a 2005 incident where Epstein showed him a massage table and made sexually suggestive comments. However, the released emails reveal not only the 2012 island lunch but also a 2015 invitation from Lutnick to an Epstein associate for a Hillary Clinton fundraiser.

    Lutnick becomes the latest high-profile figure embroiled in the expanding Epstein scandal, reflecting the financier’s penetration into elite political, business, and entertainment circles. The hearing occurred shortly after Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions during a deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, drawing criticism from both Republican and Democratic members.

  • Top US immigration officials testify before Congress as pressure mounts

    Top US immigration officials testify before Congress as pressure mounts

    Top U.S. immigration officials appeared before Congress on Tuesday amid escalating tensions over enforcement tactics that have sparked nationwide debates. The congressional hearing followed two fatal shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis that intensified criticism of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown.

    In a notable shift, Trump conceded that immigration enforcement might require ‘a softer touch’ following the Minneapolis incidents. The administration subsequently announced tactical concessions, including the withdrawal of hundreds of federal officers from the Midwestern city where recent operations had triggered widespread protests.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons defended the administration’s approach in prepared testimony, stating: ‘The president tasked us with mass deportations, and we are fulfilling that mandate. Thanks to the resources provided by Congress, we are ramping up detention capacity and removal flights daily. In the last year alone, we conducted over 475,000 removals.’

    Lyons testified alongside Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott and Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow during the Department of Homeland Security oversight hearing. Scott highlighted border security achievements, claiming CBP had ‘spent the last year rebuilding a devastated border’ and ‘fundamentally reversed years of open-border policies, achieving record-low illegal entries.’

    However, the officials faced rigorous questioning from Democratic lawmakers regarding the scale and methods of immigration operations in multiple U.S. cities. The Minneapolis operations, described by administration officials as targeted actions against criminals, have resulted in detentions across broad immigrant categories and occasionally affected U.S. citizens.

    The fatalities of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens shot by federal officers within a three-week period last month, generated substantial public outrage and intensified calls for operational reforms. Democratic legislators are demanding structural changes to ICE protocols, including terminating mobile patrols, prohibiting facial concealment by agents, and requiring judicial warrants for operations.

    Congressional Democratic leaders simultaneously threatened to block the 2026 DHS funding bill unless significant reforms are implemented. While the White House has expressed willingness to negotiate, opposition leaders characterized initial Republican proposals as ‘incomplete and insufficient.’ House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer jointly criticized the administration’s response as inadequate in addressing ‘concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.’

    The standoff creates potential funding complications for DHS, which could face financial shortfalls starting Saturday if negotiations fail. While CBP and ICE operations could continue using previous congressional allocations, other critical agencies including FEMA might experience operational impacts.