AssessmentsApr 26, 2024 | 19:34 GMT
Geopolitical Calendar
Stay informed about the significant meetings and events RANE analysts are tracking.
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Situation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 17:08 GMT
China, U.S.: Blinken Meets With President Xi and Minister(s) Wang
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, Reuters reported on April 26.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 17:05 GMT
Russia: Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 16%, Raises Inflation Forecasts
Russia's central bank held its key interest rate at 16% for the third meeting in a row and for the first time this year acknowledged that it will struggle to reach its 4% inflation target in 2024, as annual inflation is currently at 7.8%, Reuters reported on April 26.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 16:31 GMT
Chad: U.S. To Withdraw Special Forces From Chad
The U.S. Department of Defense will temporarily withdraw around 75 special operation forces from Chad in the coming days, The New York Times reported on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 16:28 GMT
EU: European Parliament Approves Plan To Boost Green Tech Manufacturing
The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act, or NZIA, the bloc's plan to strengthen its green manufacturing ecosystem and bolster its production of the technologies needed for the energy transition, a press release from the European Parliament showed on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 16:23 GMT
Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action
Law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP asked U.S. technology company Apple to clarify the origin of the tin, tungsten and tantalum (3T) used in its supply chains on behalf of Congolese authorities, Reuters reported on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 16:08 GMT
France: Macron Presents Radical Reform Proposals in Speech Over Future of the EU
French President Emmanuel Macron presented his vision for a more assertive, autonomous and competitive European Union to be realized through a series of radical reforms to the bloc's defense, monetary and state aid policies during a speech at Sorbonne University in Paris, Reuters reported on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 26, 2024 | 14:38 GMT
U.S., Israel: White House Decides Against Sanctioning Israeli Military Units
The U.S. Biden administration concluded that the human rights abuses of which Israeli forces are accused do not merit a military aid cut-off since four of the five units under investigation are taking steps to address the abuses, according to a letter written by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ABC News reported on April 26.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 20:29 GMT
U.S.: Government Agency Restores Regulations on Net Neutrality
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted to restore "net neutrality" regulations, which expand government oversight on broadband providers to prevent them from limiting or degrading access to internet applications and services, The New York Times reported on April 25.
READ MORESnapshotsApr 25, 2024 | 20:18 GMT
Despite the Gaza War, Morocco-Israel Defense Ties Look Set to Deepen
Despite the Israel-Gaza war, Morocco will continue using Israeli technology to expand the country's domestic arms production capacity and weapons arsenal, in the hopes of catching up to Algeria's military power and eventually positioning itself as a weapons exporter. In recent years, Morocco has worked to increase its domestic weapon-making capabilities and modernize its arsenal. Some of these efforts have included expanding the use of Israeli technology, after the country normalized relations with Israel in 2020. Against this backdrop, in an interview published on April 13, the CEO of BlueBird Aero Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturer, announced that its Moroccan drone production facility ''will start operating soon.'' BlueBird's plans for a Moroccan production facility are similar to those announced by the Israeli defense company Elbit, which in June 2023 unveiled plans for two air defense production sites in Morocco, where the company would likely build short and medium-range missiles, armored
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 20:17 GMT
U.S.: Connecticut Passes Wide-Ranging AI Bill
Connecticut passed a bill covering a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence bias, the prohibition of certain AI-generated images and videos, and deceptive content concerning elections, AP reported on April 24.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 20:15 GMT
South Africa: Ramaphosa Extends Troop Mandates in Mozambique and Congo
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the deployment of 1,495 members of the South African National Defense Force stationed in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province under the Southern African Development Community, or SADC, from April 16 to Dec. 31, Reuters reported on April 24.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 17:15 GMT
Burkina Faso: Human Rights Watch Finds Military Executed Over 220 Civilians
Human Rights Watch found that Burkinabe security forces had executed over 220 civilians in three villages located in the country's northern Yatenga province over their alleged collaboration with jihadist militants on Feb. 25, Reuters reported on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 17:07 GMT
Kenya: Locally-Assembled Smartphones Struggle To Become Cost-Competitive
The price of Kenya's locally-assembled smartphones have increased by up to 17% since their launch in October 2023, Business Daily Africa reported on April 25, citing a study from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 15:48 GMT
Yemen: More Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea Indicate Persistent Threat to Shipping Routes
U.S.-led coalition forces in the Red Sea engaged an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels over the Gulf of Aden toward a U.S. flagged, owned and operated ship on April 24, AP reported on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 15:45 GMT
Israel, Gaza: Hamas Official Suggests Transforming Into a Political Party in Exchange for a Palestinian State
Hamas official and Palestinian Legislative Council member Khalil al-Hayya said Hamas would consider transforming into a disarmed political party in exchange for a Palestinian state, while also offering a five-year truce with Israel as a presage to such a process, AP reported on April 25.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 15:43 GMT
Spain: Prime Minister Threatens Resignation Over Corruption Accusations
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on April 24 that he was canceling his public duties until April 29 and was considering resigning after a court in Madrid announced the beginning of an investigation into his wife for alleged influence-peddling and corruption, El Mundo reported the next day.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 15:40 GMT
U.S.: EPA Finalizes Rule To Cut Most Emissions From Coal, Gas Power Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 25 finalized a set of four ambitious final rules aiming to significantly slash emissions in the power sector, as well as reduce wastewater pollutants and other environmental concerns in the power sector.
READ MORESituation ReportApr 25, 2024 | 15:38 GMT
Global: U.N. Launches New Insurance Climate Alliance With Weaker Membership Requirements
The U.N. Environment Program announced that the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance, or NZIA, would be disbanded and replaced by the new Forum for Insurance Transition to Net Zero, or FIT, Reuters reported on April 25.
READ MORESnapshotsApr 24, 2024 | 21:15 GMT
In Moldova, Two Key Votes Portend More Pro-Russian Political Agitation
Pro-Russian political forces will step up efforts to destabilize Moldova ahead of the October presidential election and referendum on Moldova's EU integration, slowing and potentially endangering Chisinau's pro-European course. On April 16, the Moldovan Constitutional Court approved holding a referendum on constitutional amendments proposed by the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) regarding the country's European integration. The referendum will mandate several text changes and additions to Moldova's constitution ''reaffirming the European identity of the people of Moldova'' and the ''irreversibility of Moldova's European course.'' Referendum participants will be asked, ''Do you support Moldova's accession to the European Union?'' -- a provision that a majority of Moldovans are expected to support. The referendum is aimed at boosting the electoral chances of incumbent president Maya Sandu, because it will take place simultaneously with the first round of the country's presidential election on Oct. 20. On April 22, Moldovan pro-Russia opposition politicians
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