The director of a prominent Palestinian organisation was denied boarding a flight and prevented from travelling by Israeli authorities on Sunday, days after a similar incident targeting another Palestinian civil society leader. Sahar Francis, the direc…
Yemen truce could help reverse humanitarian crisis: UN
The United Nations has warned of a “worsening” humanitarian situation in Yemen but said a fragile two-month truce since early April could help reverse the situation. “The worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a reality that we need to urgently addr…
Egypt frees 3 as president appears to reach out to critics
Egyptian authorities freed three journalists early Sunday, the head of a journalists’ union said, the latest in a string of releases as President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi appears to be reaching out to critics of his administration. Ammer Abdel-Moneim, Hany…
Dozens leave Mariupol plant as Pelosi backs ‘fight for freedom’
Dozens of civilians have left a besieged steel plant in the city of Mariupol, Russia said on Sunday, as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced support for Ukraine’s “fight for freedom” during a visit to Kyiv. Russia’s defence ministry said a total of 46 …
Afghan leader hails ‘security’ in rare appearance to mark Eid
Afghanistan’s supreme leader appeared publicly for only the second time in six years on Sunday, telling worshippers celebrating Eid al-Fitr the Taliban had achieved freedom and security since seizing power last year. Speaking just two days after a bomb…
IS claims bus bombing in Afghan capital
The Islamic State group on Sunday claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a passenger bus that killed one woman in Afghanistan’s capital. Dozens of people have been killed and scores wounded in deadly attacks that have punctuated the last two weeks…
French court overturns ban on two pro-Palestine groups
A French high court suspended a French government decision outlawing two pro-Palestine groups for “antisemitism”, French media reported on Friday. The French Council of State, France’s supreme court for administrative justice, found the government’s de…
2 rockets target coalition troops in Iraq, no casualties
Two rockets targeting a base in western Iraq hosting US-led coalition troops on Saturday crashed near the complex without causing casualties or damage, security sources said. “Two rockets fell outside the Iraqi base of Ain al-Asad,” a security forces s…
Iraq seizes more than 6 million captagon pills in drug bust
Iraqi security forces said Saturday they had broken up a drug trafficking ring and seized more than six million pills of the amphetamine-type stimulant captagon, making several arrests. Iraq’s northwestern neighbour Syria is the Middle East’s main capt…
Iran speaker responds to ‘lies’ about Turkey family trip
The speaker of Iran’s parliament on Saturday responded to days of criticism after his family was seen stocking up on baby products from abroad as millions of Iranians face crippling economic conditions. Conservative Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been in…