US census to include Middle Eastern or North African category
The next US census and federal government forms will include new options for race and ethnicity including a category for...Culture & Society Geostrategy Global
ICJ orders Israel to ensure humanitarian aid in Gaza
The International Court of Justice said in its order that Israel should "take all necessary and effective measures to ensure,...Geostrategy
In UAE, Syria child quake victims unaware of heartbreak to come
Sham Sheikh Mohammed, who suffered severe crush injuries in a 40-hour ordeal under the rubble, has not yet been told...Sham's survival encapsulated the tragedy, hope and heartbreak of the 7.8-magnitude quake that levelled buildings across Turkey and parts of Syria last month
After rescue of Sham, in Idlib province, captured global attention, the UAE dispatched a medical aircraft to fly her and Omar to Abu Dhabi from Istanbul
Livelihoods destroyed as Lebanon fails to uphold right to electricity, says Human Rights Watch
Decades of unsustainable policies and fundamental neglect, capture of state resources by elites, alleged corruption, and vested interests cripple the...Lebanese people receive electricity for only one to three hours a day on average, while people who can afford it supplement that supply with private generators.
The electricity crisis has exacerbated inequality in the country, severely limited people’s ability to realize their most basic rights and pushed them further into poverty.
After widespread outcry, Tunisia’s president denies racism
Reacting to howls of condemnation his controversial comments have ignited, Tunisia's President Kais Saied on Wednesday denied racism. Last month,...The president claimed that migrants were behind most crime in the North African country
Fearing attacks since Saied's remarks, hundreds of migrants have flown home from Tunisia
Francafrique a thing of past: Congo president gives Macron a reality check
Dubai, UAE – French President Emmanuel Macron faced embarrassing moments during a joint press conference with the Congolese President Felix...During a press conference, Macron lost cool, blaming Congo for its political crisis, but Tshishekedi reminds him of a former French minister's intrusive remarks.
Congo has criticized France for its support to Rwanda which has been accused of supporting the Congolese rebel group M23 in the eastern part.
Iran threat, China-Russia influence prime focus of Pentagon chief’s Middle East visit
US Defense Secretary Austin also visits Baghdad to assure US support for Iraqi security, stability, and sovereignty ahead of the...Austin wrote on Twitter that he would meet key leaders and reaffirm the US commitment to regional stability and advancing the shared interests of our allies."
Some areas for collaboration sought to be pursued are “integrated air and missile defense, maritime security, intelligence sharing and early warning systems”
Israeli operation in Jenin kills six Palestinians including militant
The Palestinian health ministry said six men had been killed, one aged 49 and the rest in their 20s, in...At least 26 Palestinians were wounded during Tuesday's raid, the Palestinian health ministry said, three of them with serious injuries
Hamas condemned the killing of the six Palestinians, which it said would only make Palestinians "more determined to confront the Israeli occupation
Saudi Arabia hints Syria could return to Arab League
As relations thaw after more than a decade of isolation, Saudi Arabia has suggested that closer cooperation with Syria may...Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud reaffirmed the Arab world's growing understanding that communication with Damascus was necessary
Syria was largely cut off from the rest of the Arab world following its leader Bashar al Assad's brutal suppression of 2011 uprisings against his government
Inter-Parliamentary Union urged to take up Bahrain rights issue
BEIRUT, LEBANON - Lawmakers attending an inter-parliament gathering in Bahrain's capital this week should seize the "opportunity" to address the Gulf...Human Rights Watch and Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy have urged the participants to tackle human rights issues.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union ,the oldest and largest organization of parliaments, is scheduled to be held in Manama from March 11 to 15.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian, injure several others in West Bank
Two witnesses said rockets had been fired at the building housing a group of militants, and reported gunfire in the...Heavy gunfire was reported between militants and soldiers as the Israeli forces surrounded a house.
Since the start of the year, the conflict has claimed the lives of 66 Palestinian adults and children, including militants and civilians.
Quake damages more than $100 billion in Turkey alone: UNDP
The World Bank estimated last week that the devastating quake, which flattened entire cities, had caused damage worth more than...The 7.8-magnitude quake that struck on February 6 and its aftershocks have claimed more than 45,000 lives in Turkey.
The UNDP has been "very disappointed and saddened" by the low level of response to funding appeals to date.