UN Security Council to vote this Thursday on full Palestinian membership
Against the backdrop of the grinding conflict in Gaza, a city largely devastated by more than six months of war...Geostrategy
Iran closed nuclear facilities in wake of Israel attack: IAEA chief
Tehran, Iran Iran temporarily closed its nuclear facilities over "security considerations" in the wake of its massive missile and drone...Geostrategy
Iraqi forces seize million captagon pills as drug trade surges
Authorities in Iraq -- a key conduit for the amphetamine-type drug -- regularly announce such operations in which large hauls...Forces arrested "a foreign narcotics trafficker" and seized large quantities of the drug hidden in a truck.
On July 16, the interior ministry reported the discovery of a rare captagon manufacturing lab in the country's south.
Israel lawmakers approve key judicial reform clause as protests flare
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill in a Knesset vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, some...Netanyahu's coalition government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, argues that the proposed changes are needed to ensure a better balance of power.
The reform package has triggered one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history since it was unveiled by the government in January.
US president calls on Israel to postpone ‘divisive’ judicial reforms
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to bring his controversial proposal to curb the power of judges to a vote...US President Joe Biden said, "It doesn't make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this — the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus"
Some 20 legislators have lined up to speak against the bill, which would limit Supreme Court judges' ability to strike down government decisions
Iraqi Kurds hold demonstration in support of jailed journalist
On Sunday, around 300 people demonstrated in the region's second city Sulaimaniyah against the new sentence imposed on Sherwani. NGO...Sherwan Sherwani had been due for release in September following a presidential decree reducing his sentence
In Thursday, the CPJ said, Sherwani was given a four-year prison term for "falsification" in connection with a petition prepared in jail
New Middle East forum aims to combat drug smuggling
The forum was agreed during talks between Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus earlier...The Syrian delegation was headed by Defence Minister General Ali Mahmud Abbas and General Intelligence Director, Major General Husam Louka
The talks "went over the issue of the parties that organise, run and carry out smuggling operations across borders to Jordan
UAE vows $100m to tackle migration, climate change
"The UAE believes in the importance of joint action, integration of efforts, and promotion of economic development for countries facing...The UAE has pledged $100 million at the International Conference on Development and Migration
The country emphasizes climate change and its impact on migration and development challenges
UAE president meets with Arab and EU leaders in Italy
The president met with a string of leaders from the Arab world and the European Union and discussed ways to...The UAE has announced a contribution of US$100 million to support developmental projects in countries affected by irregular migration
The heads of the European Commission and the European Council, and the Tunisian president and Lebanese PM applauded the UAE for the aid
Italy calls Med migration conference on Tunisia model
Italy and the European Commission have sought to step up engagement with Tunisia, promising funding if the country undertakes to...Italy's far-right PM is expecting leaders from the region, the European Union and international financial institutions to meet in the capital
Giorgia Meloni has confirmed the presence of Tunisian President Kais Saied while the PM of Egypt and Malta have both said they will attend
Netanyahu to have pacemaker fitted ahead of vote on judicial reforms
His latest health scare comes with lawmakers set to debate the reforms bill in parliament on Sunday to be followed...The prime minister will undergo the procedure at Tel Hashomer hospital, a statement from his office said
A week ago Netanyahu, 73, had been discharged from the same medical centre after a night of hospitalisation
Thousands of Kurds demonstrate on Lausanne treaty centenary
The demonstrators marched through the Swiss city in opposition to the 1923 treaty, while organisers urged the international community to...Kurdistan Cultural Centre in Lausanne said the treaty "enacted the separation of the Kurdish people between four states -- Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria
We demand an apology from Lausanne, which divided Kurdistan into four parts, said protester Munevver Gok, 56, a housewife living in the Netherlands