Venezuela’s ruling party backs oil deal with Washington

Venezuela’s ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) backed a sweeping oil agreement with Washington on Saturday, as American Democratic lawmakers accused US President Donald Trump of putting private profit ahead of American troops and public interests.

US says supports gas deals with Kurdistan region after Iraq lawsuit

The United States said Tuesday it supported American energy companies’ contracts with Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region after the Iraqi government filed a lawsuit against them.

Ukraine’s parliament ratifies landmark minerals deal with US

Ukrainian legislators have unanimously voted to ratify a minerals deal with the United States in the hope of securing military assistance to deter Russia.

Ukraine, US sign minerals deal, marking shift from military to economic support

The United States and Ukraine on Wednesday signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid.

Ukraine, US sign 'memorandum of intent' on critical minerals deal

Ukraine and the United States on Thursday signed a "memorandum of intent" to move forward with a fraught deal for US access to Kyiv's natural resources and critical minerals, Kyiv said.

Explosion Occurred at Military Base in Iraq

An explosion occurred at the Kalsu military base south of Baghdad in the Iraqi province of Babil, an Iraqi security service said.

Iranian Spokesperson Expresses Concerns Over Human Rights Report in Canada - Tasnim

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani expressed concerns over the exploitation of immigrant workers and indigenous communities in Canada that was revealed in a report by the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights.

Bomb attack kills at least 25 in Pakistan's Balochistan

An explosion has killed at least 25 people in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, medical officials told Al Jazeera.

Thousands of Afghan children dying of hunger amid ‘unprecedented’ displacement : UN

Despite attempts to increase food aid in Afghanistan, children bear the brunt of the country’s nutritional crisis, the United Nations humanitarian arm today reported, warning that the ongoing fighting has also led to record number of children at risk of abuse and exploitation.

Visiting Greek island, Ban says refugees' nightmare 'not over,' urging humane approach across Europe

Visiting the Greek island of Lesbos, which has become migrants' entry point to Europe, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the countries in the region to respond with a humane and human rights-based approach, instead of border closures, barriers and bigotry.

UN agencies set up more support centers for refugees, migrants in Europe

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) are joining forces to set up special support centers for children and their families along the most frequently used migration routes in Europe as part of a joint effort for better protection for the rising numbers of children and others with specific needs arriving in Europe, a UN spokesman said here Friday.

Exploitation of oceans undermines island countries, Maldives tells UN

The illicit exploitation of oceans undermines the peace and security of small island countries, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon of the Maldives told the UN here Saturday.

French honorary consul in Turkey suspended over selling rubber dinghies to migrants

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Friday suspended an honorary consul in Turkey for selling rubber dinghies and life jackets to refugees risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.

UN officials urge concerted action to eradicate modern forms of slavery

 2 December 2013 – Top United Nations officials marked the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery today with a call for concerted action to eradicate the contemporary forms of this heinous practice.

“It is vital that we give special consideration to ending modern-day slavery and servitude which affects the poorest, most socially excluded groups – including migrants, women, discriminated ethnic groups, minorities and indigenous peoples,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the Day, observed annually on 2 December.

EEZ as economic tool

N. Lygeros (OPUS)

Translated from the Greek by Evi Charitidou

As we get prepared for proclaiming the Greek EEZ, namely for materializing the first stage, we already have to study its strategic depth as well. This may take place by examining foreign cases. Other states have considered EEZ to be an economic tool. At this period, due to economic difficulties Italy puts emphasis on block charting, to allot sea areas to foreign companies for extracting hydrocarbons.