Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip marked on Monday the first day ofEid al-Fitr after the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with many hoping for a year of peace. During the early morning hours, thousands of Palestinians in Gaza performed Ei…
Afghanistan: Judge feels betrayed by UK government
A senior Afghan judge said he feels “heartbroken” and “backstabbed” by the British government who refused to offer him sanctuary despite a high court ruling in his favour. The Afghan, kept anonymous for his own protection, worked closely with British a…
EU to propose phasing out Russian oil in new sanctions wave
The EU will propose a phased out ban on Russian oil imports as part of a fresh round of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, sources said on Sunday. The European Commission, which draws up sanctions for the bloc, is currently preparing…
Family urge Iraq to free man held over ancient pottery
A British man arrested at Baghdad airport in late March in possession of pottery fragments that are alleged to be historical artefacts is being held in pre-trial detention, his family said Sunday. Jim Fitton, a 66-year-old retired geologist, could face…
Humanity crossed crucial threshold for freshwater, report
Human activities on Earth have affected the natural water cycle beyond a critical point, threatening to affect the health of the entire planet, new scientific research revealed this week. Researchers found “evidence of widespread changes” in levels of …
Iraq to celebrate Eid on two different days
Iraqis are set to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on two different days after authorities in the country differed on the end date of Ramadan. The Kurdistan region of Iraq and the Diwan of Sunni Endowments announced Monday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr, while S…
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to discuss extending term of $3b loan
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday said they would discuss extending the terms of a $3 billion loan to help Islamabad’s faltering economy. The Gulf nation has long been an intelligence partner of Pakistan as well as a regular source of financial relie…
UN agency urges Jordan to release political detainees
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Jordan on Friday to release twelve political prisoners detained without due process since February. “We are concerned by the continued detention in Jordan of peaceful activists a…
Iraq yet again hit by increasingly frequent dust storms
Iraq on Sunday was yet again covered in a thick sheet of orange as it suffered the latest in a series of dust storms that have become increasingly common. Flights were grounded due to poor visibility at airports serving the capital Baghdad and the Shia…
Turkish police detain dozens in May Day demonstrations
Turkish riot police detained dozens of protesters trying to reach Istanbul’s main Taksim Square for May Day demonstrations against economic hardship caused by raging inflation. The Istanbul governor’s office had allowed May Day celebrations to be held …