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Economy

What should Iraq do about its oil output limits within OPEC, and how could this affect the country and the world?

BAGHDAD, June 25 (Reuters) - Iraq will be compelled to consider all available options if its OPEC quota is not significantly increased, a senior Iraqi oil ministry official told Reuters on Thursday. Separate sources told Reuters Iraqi officials had considered leaving OPEC, but the current plan was to remain a member and seek a higher quota. The prospect of Iraq considering an exit from OPEC would be a further blow to the group after the departure of the United Arab Emirates this year. Iraq is one of five founding members and the group was formed in the Iraqi capital

Iraq
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Geopolitics

What are the potential implications of U.S. deportation policies on Venezuelan migrants and the broader community?

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are being encouraged to go home or face deportation following the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Why it matters: Venezuelan immigrants had temporary U.S. legal protections until last year, in part due to poor economic conditions and human rights abuses under the Maduro government. "President Trump's decisive action to remove Maduro marks a turning point for Venezuelans. Now, they can return to the country they love and rebuild its future," said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Matthew Tragesser in a statement. Zoom in: A Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation in 2023 gave about 348,000 Venezuelans legal status and the opportunity for work permits. The Trump administration terminated that status in April. Another TPS designation from 2021 gave roughly 268,000 Venezuelans protection and was terminated in November.Many more Venezuelans live and work in the U.S. with visas or could apply for permanent legal status (like a green card). Between the lines: Venezuela is "more free today than it was yesterday," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sunday, the day after the Maduro raid became public. Noem said TPS holders can apply for "refugee status."But asylum isn't currently an option. A December policy memo from USCIS ordered a pause on all asylum applications.Venezuelans are also affected by the Trump administration's pause on all immigration decisions because Venezuela is on the travel ban list. USCIS did not respond when asked whether there are any changes to process applications from Venezuelans. The bottom line: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said Monday, after an unannounced ICE detention oversight visit, that there are now plans to ramp up deportation flights. "A supervisor told me that in light of the abduction of Nicolás Maduro this past weekend that the Department of Homeland Security is going to be taking another look at the possibility of deporting Venezuela

Global
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Politics

What could the results of the Democratic primary mean for future elections in New York?

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) was unseated in his Democratic primary Tuesday night by former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, according to the Associated Press. Why it matters: Lander's victory — fueled in part by support from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani — represents the latest in a string of victories for the left in Democratic congressional primaries. Progressives from California to Maine have harnessed liberal grassroots anger towards the Democratic establishment to topple party-backed foes and incumbent House Democrats.Despite being a Progressive Caucus member, Goldman came under fire in his left-leaning district for his staunch support of Israel. Zoom out: Lander ran for New York mayor last year but failed to gain traction, instead becoming part of Mamdani's orbit after cross-endorsing the then-state legislator in an effort to defeat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Lander channeled the resultant goodwill from the left into a run against Goldman, touting himself as a liberal Zionist who will be more critical of the Jewish state in Congress. Between the lines: The race pit Mamdani against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who supported Goldman as part of his policy of generally supporting his incumbents. Goldman is the third Democratic House incumbent unseated in a primary this year after Reps. Al Green (D-Texas) and Julie Johnson (D-Texas).He may not be the last, however, with numerous older and more moderate incumbents facing primaries from younger or more left-leaning insurgents

United States
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Geopolitics

How should the international community respond to the growing humanitarian needs in Lebanon during the ongoing conflict?

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, June 5 (Reuters) - The United Nations on Friday said it is doubling the amount of money it says it needs to help Lebanon meet surging humanitarian needs, as the war enters its fourth month. Lebanon was drawn into the wider regional war in early March when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia fired rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran, which was under U.S.-Israeli attack, prompting a major Israeli air and ground campaign

Lebanon
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