FinPol Digest

  Maldives Minister Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem was suspended following her arrest alongside two siblings on allegations of practicing "black magic" against President Mohamed Muizzu, according to local media reports. Saleem, who serves as the state minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy, was detained along with two others on June 23 and remanded in custody for seven days. The Maldives-based Sun reported that Shamnaz, previously listed as a political appointee on the Environment Ministry's website, has now been moved to the list of former political appointees. Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan confirmed that police were investigating a case involving Shamnaz and the two other individuals, as reported by Sun. Official statements from the Maldives government regarding this matter are awaited. Shamnaz had previously served on the Male City Council alongside President Muizzu during his tenure as the city's mayor. After Muizzu's election to th...

  France may face civil disorder linked to upcoming snap parliamentary elections, with the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party expected to secure a significant share of the vote. Concerns about potential unrest were voiced by two key ministers from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government on Monday. Marine Le Pen's nationalist, anti-immigrant RN recently emerged victorious in European Union elections, prompting Macron to dissolve parliament and call for new elections. These elections will take place just before the Paris Olympics, starting on July 26. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire expressed their apprehensions regarding the far-right's electoral success and the ensuing polarization in French politics and society. "I fear for order, for relations between citizens, for serenity, for civil peace," Le Maire stated on France Info radio. He added, "I don't see the RN as a factor of stability and peace. I se...

  British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is embroiled in controversy as allegations of betting on the general election date surface. Scheduled for July 4, the election has become a focal point for accusations involving Sunak's bodyguard and aides. The Metropolitan Police suspended one of Sunak's security officers and subsequently arrested them on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Simultaneously, the UK's Gambling Commission is investigating several individuals linked to the Conservative Party for allegedly betting on the election timing, raising concerns about potential insider information being used for advantage. While betting is legal in the UK, the use of privileged information for wagers could cross legal boundaries. The investigation has widened to include Craig Williams, Sunak's close parliamentary aide and Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr in Wales. Williams placed a bet with Ladbrokes on a July election just days before...

  Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea on Tuesday and Wednesday, marking his first visit to the country in 24 years. This visit highlights the growing partnership between Russia and the nuclear-armed state since the invasion of Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended the invitation to Putin during his visit to Russia's Far East last September. Putin last visited Pyongyang in July 2000. In Washington, the White House expressed concern over the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea. The US State Department stated it is "quite certain" Putin will seek arms to support his war in Ukraine. Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned that Russia and North Korea might sign a partnership agreement during the visit, which will include security issues. He emphasized that the deal would not target any other country but would outline prospects for further cooperation, considering recent international politics, economics, and...

 The presence of Iranian specialized specialists in Sudan has brought the respective connection between the two nations to a significant defining moment, flagging an escalation of military collaboration. The global world has communicated dismay with this demonstration of preparing Sudanese staff in the utilization of Iranian state of the art military advances like robots and electronic fighting. The preparation, which will happen in the distant town of Arousa, mirrors Sudan's endeavors to work on its tactical abilities and possibly gain mechanical prevalence over its neighbors. The masterful course of action behind this relationship is clear in the decision of this distant area, which guarantees a protected and controlled climate for the exchange of state of the art military capacities. Specialists accept that Sudan's procurement of Iranian robots, for example, the Mohajer-6 and aptitude in electronic fighting and correspondences block attempt techniques could fundamentally wor...

 Talks for a ceasefire in Gaza have hit a roadblock, with Israel accusing Hamas of rejecting the latest proposal. However, Hamas maintains that it has responded positively, proposing amendments to the Israeli plan. According to sources, Hamas submitted its response to Qatari mediators, suggesting changes to the Israeli proposal. These include a timeline for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan stated that the group's response reaffirmed its commitment to a ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza, which it has consistently upheld. However, an Israeli official described Hamas' reaction as a "rejection" of the original deal. Hamas leadership pushed back against this characterization, terming it an attempt by Israel to back out of the proposal. Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said the group's response was "responsible, serious, and positive," and opened the way to reachin...

  Emphasizing the importance of business collaboration between Pakistan and China, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged full support and security for Chinese investors and their projects in Pakistan. Speaking at the Pakistan-China Business Forum in Shenzhen, he highlighted the potential for bilateral trade and investment, especially in sectors like technology transfer, IT, agriculture, mining, steel, textiles, and renewable energy. Sharif praised China's development model and expressed determination to emulate it in Pakistan, stating that it is both challenging and achievable. He encouraged Pakistani and Chinese businessmen to explore opportunities for relocating Chinese textile industries to Pakistan and forming partnerships in steel and other sectors. He also mentioned Pakistan's vast mineral deposits worth around $10 trillion, which could be converted into export goods, given the country's current $30 billion export volume. Sharif assured the Chinese government of Pakis...

  In a rebuke of Iran's leadership, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized comments made by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei regarding the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7. Khamenei had previously stated that the October 7 attacks "had happened exactly at the moment the region needed it", suggesting the attacks were a necessary response to alleged plans by the U.S., Israel, and some regional countries to "change the equation in the region." However, Abbas firmly rejected Khamenei's remarks, saying the Palestinian people "do not need wars that do not bring them freedom and independence." Abbas' office issued a statement accusing Khamenei's comments of being "clearly aimed at sacrificing Palestinian blood" and asserting they would not lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The comments highlight the ongoing tensions between the Palestinian Authority, which exer...