Iran
US, UK and Israel accuse Iran of Gulf attack on tanker that killed Briton, Romanian
Analysts widely suspect Iran and Israel are involved in an undeclared shadow war in which they carry out attacks on each other's vessels. This war appears to be escalating
‘Ignorant or careless ministers spreading rice cultivation across Iran despite water crisis’
After drought protests rock country, columnist takes officials to task for backing water-intensive rice farming in arid and semi-arid nation.
Azerbaijan’s top cleric under fire for pro-Iran remarks
The remarks earned the country’s senior Islamic official a rebuke from a senior adviser to Turkey’s president and a smear campaign in Azerbaijani pro-government media.
bneGREEN: EU takes carbon pricing initiative with CBAM
The EU on 14 July unveiled the details of its proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which aims to protect EU CO2 emitters from carbon leakage by making exporters to the EU market pay for the CO2 they produce.
Iran protests spread to Tehran and Tabriz
Drought demonstrations in Khuzestan enter 12th day. Officials in the capital say protest there is a local matter over blackouts hitting commerce, but Iran analysts are watching closely.
COMMENT: Why has China’s foreign minister spent three days in Damascus? Probably not having trade discussions
A few days ago China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spent three days visiting President Bashar al Assad in Syria, the first foreign dignitary the Syrian president has hosted since the start of his new term.
bneGREEN: Global investors turn to green energy and away from fossil fuels
The world’s largest global debt and equity investors are continuing to invest in renewable energy despite the pandemic, driven by the wealth of investment opportunities, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said.
Reports indicate Iran’s drought protests threaten to escalate to Tehran
Police officer shot dead in Khuzestan. Military starts shipping water tankers to the province as unrest continues for sixth night.
Iran’s “vaccine tourists” sleeping on streets of Yerevan after tightening of rules
Taxi drivers charging Iranians seeking jabs $120 for round trip from Tehran to Armenian border.
Water stress protests break out in Iran’s southwest
Anger over effects of severe drought add to difficulties and tensions seen over lack of water in Central Asia and Turkey.
bneGREEN: Drought causes mass livestock die-offs and irrigation water shortages in Central Asia
Studies detect shifts in precipitation patterns in the Tian Shan mountains that supply region with much of its freshwater.
US sweetens Iran’s path to restoring nuclear deal by unfreezing bank funds in Japan, Korea
Separately, president Rouhani criticises Iranian regime’s top officials for foiling his attempt to secure revived accord in final months of his administration.
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COMMENT: Uzbekistan will have to host Afghan refugees in the near future
Issue one of many to be addressed by July 15-16 conference, "Central and South Asia: regional dependence. Threats and opportunities", convened on initiative of Uzbek president.
bneGREEN: BlackRock raises $250mn to fund climate transition in emerging markets
BlackRock has raised $250mn from a consortium of ten institutional investors, governments and charities for its flagship blended finance fund, which aims to help emerging market economies reduce carbon emissions.
bneGREEN: EU carbon pricing set for radical reforms
The European Commission is to publish legislation on July 14 that will detail the EU’s plans, dubbed “Fit for 55,” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 as part of wider reforms to European energy and climate laws.
Kremlin holds Afghan peace talks with Taliban in Moscow
The delegation of top fighters turned up saying the Taliban already controls most of Afghanistan.
Perspectives - What to expect from the new Iranian president – a view from the Caucasus
The election of a hardliner could augur a more security-oriented approach by Tehran toward Armenia and Azerbaijan.
bneGREEN: What is green?
Defining green energy and indeed green investments is not an exact science, Determining just how green each of the various energy sources are gets complicated once you start digging into the details.
Iran shuts down several cities as coronavirus 'fifth wave' hits
Tehran and several other cities across Iran have been told to close non-essential businesses and services in a bid to deal with the latest so-called fifth wave of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Coronavirus vaccine tourism from Iran to Armenia explodes
Armenia has seen a marked increase in Iranians crossing the border of the country to get vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) in recent weeks, Tik reported on July 4.
