Olivia Bennett
Middle East & Africa Desk
Olivia Bennett is the Middle East & Africa Desk editor at The Taiwan Times, covering regional conflict, humanitarian crises and energy markets, with long-established reporting and verification channels on the ground.
Faced with war coverage where positions are polarised and facts are contested, she insists on multiple sources and careful wording, working to keep balanced, neutral narratives on the topics most easily swayed by emotion and propaganda.
She tracks how oil and gas move global inflation and Taiwan’s energy security, while never losing sight of the individual lives behind each conflict.
Areas of expertise
- Middle East
- Africa
- Energy markets
Latest by Olivia Bennett
Two Tankers Attacked in Strait of Hormuz, Triggering Global Oil Supply Fears
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran confirmed on Thursday local time that two oil tankers had exploded while passing through the Strait of
5.5-Magnitude Shallow Earthquake in Central Peru Leaves Six Dead, 21 Injured
A 5.5-magnitude shallow earthquake struck the district of Chongos Bajo in Chupaca Province, Junín Region, central Peru, on Tuesday, severely impacting the
Papua New Guinea Closes Taiwan Office, Assures Energy Contracts Remain Unaffected
Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, has officially announced the immediate closure of the Taiwan representative office in t
Sudan Files ICJ Case Accusing UAE of Supporting RSF War Crimes
Sudanese Minister of Justice Abdallah Dirif recently announced that the Sudanese transitional government will formally initiate legal action at the Interna
Turkish Coast Guard Rescues 67 Migrants and Arrests Five Human Smugglers
The Turkish Coast Guard conducted a maritime interception operation earlier this week off the coast of Muğla Province in the southwest, successfully rescui
Fatal Head-on Collision on Pakistan’s N-25 Highway Leaves Four Dead
A serious traffic accident occurred recently in the Wadh area of Balochistan, Pakistan, when two speeding vehicles collided head-on on the N-25 National Hi
Qatar Intercepts Iranian Airstrike on Al Udeid Base, Reports No Damage
The Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently launched a surprise strike targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Irania
Hungarian President Sulyok Signs Constitutional Amendment, Term to End Tomorrow
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has officially signed the 17th amendment to the country's constitution, a legislative change that terminates his own presi
US and UAE Establish Coordination Mechanism to Promote Sudan Ceasefire and Aid
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and U.S. Envoy Massad Boulos have recently reached a significant consensus to establish a regular coordinat
Iraqi Military Arrests Two ISIS Militants and Destroys Car Bomb in Kirkuk
Iraqi security forces conducted counter-terrorism operations in the northern province of Kirkuk this week, successfully arresting two Islamic State (ISIS)
Ukraine's Defense Minister Shake-up Sparks Public Protests Over Frontline Stability Concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently announced a major cabinet reshuffle, deciding to dismiss Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov and appoint
At Least 11 Dead and 19 Injured in Algerian Care Home Fire
A serious fire broke out late at night at a nursing care facility in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, resulting in at least 11 deaths and 19 injuries. Loca
Ukrainian Deputy Air Force Commander Resigns in Protest Over Defense Minister's Removal
Ukraine’s defense establishment has experienced a high-level personnel shakeup, as Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Pavlo Yelizarov, formally r
One Dead, 24 Missing After Ship Sinks Off Indonesia's Sulawesi Island
A serious maritime disaster occurred off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, this week when a passenger vessel sank during its voyage. At least one person ha
Former Nepal Deputy PM and Interior Minister Sentenced in Refugee Scam
The Kathmandu District Court in Nepal delivered a landmark verdict this week in a high-profile fraud case involving "fake Bhutanese refugees." Top Bahadur
Sudanese Armed Forces Seize Fash-Fashn as Civil War Situation Worsens
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced that the 13th Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division has secured control of the Blue Nile town of Fashfun, followin
EU imposes sanctions on Sudan's gold trade to cut conflict funding.
The European Union has recently imposed sanctions on Sudan's gold trade, accusing the country's gold industry of being a key financial lifeline for armed c
Iran Says Qatar and Pakistan to Continue Talks to Prevent Escalation
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei recently stated that Qatar and Pakistan would continue negotiations aimed at preventing further escal
US Launches New Strikes on Iran, Further Straining Ties Between Nations
The United States recently launched a new round of strikes against Iran, drawing significant international attention. The military action serves as a respo
Lebanon Agrees to Israel Talks as U.S. Military Delegation Visits Beirut
Lebanese officials have announced that the country will participate in negotiations with Israel in Rome, Italy. Concurrently, a U.S. military delegation ha
2026 FIFA World Cup to be Jointly Hosted by Canada, Mexico, and USA
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring a record-breaking 48 national teams. The opening ceremony too
Pakistan Military Airstrikes in Afghan Border Region Leave Multiple Civilians Dead
The Pakistani military recently conducted airstrikes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, targeting militants allegedly affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Tali
Moreton Bay illegally evicted homeless campers, Queensland Supreme Court rules
This past Friday, Justice Paul Smith of the Supreme Court of Queensland ruled that the City of Moreton Bay Council, immediately north of Brisbane, Aus
Göbeklitepe, Taş Tepeler and life 12,000 years ago exhibition opens in Berlin, Germany
On February 6, 2026, the "Gebaute Gemeinschaft - Göbeklitepe, Taş Tepeler and Life 12,000 Years Ago" exhibition opened at Berlin's James-Simon-Galerie