Tunisian Jewish pilgrimage sees low turnout amid security fears
Djerba, Tunisia - Only a dozen pilgrims turned up Friday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba...
India publishes election donation data after court order
The BJP had received slightly less than 48 percent of all election bonds cashed by parties up to March 2023,...
Geostrategy
Bangladesh gets new president before general election
Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former judge and a ruling party official, was sworn in as the president of Bangladesh, just months...
- The opposition in Bangladesh has staged a series of protests, demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down.
- The opposition accuses Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, of rigging the previous two elections.
Geostrategy
Dozens of Iraqi policemen arrested after convict escapes custody
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - A former Iraqi religious official convicted of corruption has escaped police custody, prompting the arrest of more than...
- Saad Qambash was once head of Iraq's Sunni Waqf, and had been jailed for four years earlier this month for fraud.
- Investigating authorities had uncovered "documents" as evidence leading to the arrest of those involved.
Geostrategy
Civil Society groups under ‘severe restrictions’ in Libya, says HRW
TRIPOLI, LIBYA - Libyan authorities have imposed "severe restrictions" on local and international civil society groups, obstructing their work in the...
- The rights watchdog said authorities must take step like adoption of a "civil society organization law that guarantees the right tot freedom of association."
- Human Rights Watch called for a reform of the penal code, and “redefining criminal acts to exclude peaceful exercise of the right to express opinions."
Geostrategy
Turkey president Erdogan’s chief rival defends Kurds ahead of vote
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's chief rival in next month's election defended Kurdish rights on Tuesday and accused the...
- Kemal Kilicdaroglu leads a six-party alliance that is posing one of the stiffest electoral challenges of Erdogan's two-decade rule.
- Kilicdaroglu's comments followed weeks of attempts by Erdogan to link the opposition with Kurdish militants fighting the Turkish state.
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Arab nations gather to discuss ending Syria’s long isolation
Arab countries gathered in Jeddah on Friday to discuss ending Syria's long spell in the diplomatic wilderness as regional relations...
- The Jeddah meeting is one of a flurry of initiatives following Saudi Arabia and Iran's landmark announcement on March 10 that they would resume ties.
- Although the Arab League takes decisions by consensus, unanimous agreement is unlikely, said a Riyadh-based diplomat who declined to be identified.
Geostrategy
Prominent Iraqi cleric Sadr ‘freezes’ rank and file movement
Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr, an influential player in national politics, said he was "freezing" for a year his powerful movement...
- Sadr has repeatedly taken supporters and opponents by surprise with major announcements on social media.
- The freezing of the movement would not affect religious activities and an institution dedicated to his father's legacy.
Geostrategy
Trump to appear in New York court to face historic criminal charges
Amid tight security in New York City, the 76-year-old former president will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York...
- Trump will learn at his arraignment what charges he faces over hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election
- The former American president is likely to be fingerprinted and possibly photographed, which would result in an all-time famous mug shot
Geostrategy
Opposition demands explanation on Tunisian president’s ‘absence’
TUNIS, TUNISIA - Tunisia's main opposition coalition pressed the government on Monday to explain days-long public "absence" of President Kais Saied,...
- The lack of statements or videos has sparked rumors over the state of Tunisian President Kais Saied's health.
- Saied last year rammed through a constitution giving his office unlimited powers and neutering parliament.
UAE President names new Vice President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
The appointments signal a new phase in the UAE's leadership and its commitment to pursuing economic growth and development while...
- Sheikh Mohamed appointed Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed as Vice President and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
- The president also named Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed as Deputy Rulers of Abu Dhabi
Geostrategy
Tunisia swears in new parliament with truncated powers
Tunisia inaugurated a new parliament largely stripped of its powers, after a vote that saw a paltry turnout amid boycotts...
- The new parliament was elected after a new constitution was passed in a July 25, 2022 referendum granting President Kais Saied unchecked powers.
- The referendum was held exactly a year after he froze the previous legislature and dismissed Tunisia's government, before assuming wide-ranging powers.
Tunisian Jewish pilgrimage sees low turnout amid security fears
Djerba, Tunisia - Only a dozen pilgrims turned up Friday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba...
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Iran says time running out for political solution in Gaza war
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran on Monday said time was running short to reach a political solution in the Israel-Gaza conflict, warning...
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Aid meant for Gaza stuck in Egypt as Rafah crossing is closed
ISMAILIA, EGYPT - Convoys of humanitarian aid stacked up near Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday, unable to enter...
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Israel refuses to give more time for Gaza evacuation
Jerusalem - The Israeli military said on Saturday that Gaza City residents must not delay their departure before a military...
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Israel top court hears appeals against rules for removing prime minister
Israel's top court debated appeals against a law restricting how a prime minister can be removed from office, as current...
- The legislation says that a prime minister can be declared unfit for office due to health reasons.
- The law says a two-thirds majority in cabinet is required to take such a step, before the move is approved by at least 80 of the parliament's 120 members.
Geostrategy
Israel congratulates Saudi Arabia on national day
JERUSALEM - Israel offered its congratulations to Saudi Arabia on the kingdom's national day on Saturday as the two countries...
- "We send our sincere congratulations to the king, government and people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 93rd national day," the Israeli foreign ministry said.
- "May Allah bring you goodness and blessings, security and prosperity with our wishes for an atmosphere of peace, cooperation and good neighborliness," it added in the statement.
Geostrategy
Egypt jails opposition activist ahead of next year’s presidential polls
CAIRO, EGYPT - An Egyptian court has sentenced prominent dissident Hisham Kassem to six months in prison, his lawyer and political...
- Hisham Kassem was also slapped with about $650 fine after being found guilty of defaming a former minister.
- Kassem’s lawyer Nasser Amin wrote on Facebook that the verdict would be appealed in a court hearing on October 7.