Hundreds of protesters have marched through the Algerian capital demanding President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s immediate resignation. On Monday, the president postponed the 18 April presidential elections and dropped his bid for a fifth term. Protesters are accusing the president of a ploy to prolong his 20-year rule. Talks have been set up to negotiate Algeria’s political future, which will be led by… Read more »
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have launched another assault on the Islamic State group’s last enclave in Syria. Head of the SDF media office, Mustafa Bali, tweeted their troops were in “direct violent clashes”. Islamic State militants are centred in the town of Baghuz in eastern Syria. Once the village is taken, the US and its allies are expected to… Read more »
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer in Iran has reportedly been jailed for thirty eight years on account of several national security charges, all of which she profusely denies. Many human rights activists and groups have publicly criticized her arrest calling it a disgrace and an outrage to human rights activists everywhere. Sotoudeh is an award winning activist who has… Read more »
A prominent Iranian human rights lawyer has been sentenced to a total of 38 years in jail and 148 lashes in Tehran, her family say. Nasrin Sotoudeh was charged with several national security-related offences, all of which she denies. Rights groups strongly criticised the “shocking” sentence against the award-winning human rights activist. Ms Sotoudeh is known for representing women who… Read more »
Pakistan on Sunday condemned a drone attack by Yemen’s Houthis on Saudi Arabia’s Abha city. The statement by the Pakistani foreign office commended Riyadh’s forces for intercepting and destroying the drone before it could cause any serious damage. But this time around politicians from major parties, including the governing coalition and opposition, have backed the foreign office’s condemnation of the Houthi attack for the… Read more »
Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, has been chosen to become the next ambassador to the United States. She is the first woman in Saudi Arabia to take on such a role in international diplomacy. The announcement was made by royal decree on Saturday, February 23. Princess Reema is specifically fitted for her new role, as she spent… Read more »
JERUSALEM — With seven weeks left until Israelis go to the polls, the two most likely candidates to become the country’s next prime minister, incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu and newcomer Benny Gantz — both highly decorated former Israeli army officers — have taken aim, at each other. On Tuesday night, at a rally of his Israel Resilience Party, Gantz launched a direct… Read more »
Thousands of protesters gathered in the Gaza Stripon Sunday to call for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to resign after his attempts to pressure Hamas with financial cuts in the impoverished enclave. The pro-Hamas crowd gathered at al-Sarya square yelled for the long-serving leader to “leave” and called on the PA to pay the full salaries of public sector employees in Gaza. They also demonstrated… Read more »
A Swiss military court has sentenced a former soldier for fighting against the Islamic State group in Syria. Johan Cosar used his military training to recruit hundreds of men to defend Christian groups from IS. He was found guilty of undermining Switzerland’s neutrality and security by joining a foreign army – and given a three-month suspended sentence and fined 500… Read more »
Saudi Arabia has announced that Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud will become its next ambassador to the US – the first woman ever to take on an envoy role for the kingdom. Her appointment was made public in a royal decree on Saturday. Princess Reema spent part of her childhood living in Washington DC. She assumes the role at a… Read more »