The Israeli government has expressed “satisfaction” with apologies issued by Israeli Channel 13 after one of its reporters entered the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to visit religious sites that are traditionally reserved only for Muslims. Gil Tam…
Israel: Netanyahu denies blame for deadly Mt Meron stampede
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified on Thursday that he bears no responsibility for the safety gaps that led to a deadly stampede that killed 45 people last year. The incident, which was the worst civilian disaster in the country…
MENA relations should be a priority for the future PM
“Very brave, Minister” says Sir Humphrey, the senior civil servant in the classic 1980s sitcom, Yes Minister. “Brave?” cries the minister in horror. Sir Humphrey might give the same compliment to Conservative Leadership candidates. Standing to be Prime…
Iran charges 20 after deadly Khuzestan building collapse
Iran has issued indictments against 20 people after the deadly collapse of a building that triggered widespread anti-corruption protests, the judiciary said on Thursday. The 10-storey Metropol building that was under construction in the city of Abadan …
Double-tap strikes: Syria’s weapon of terror is challenged
Of all the methods of terror deployed by the Assad regime and Russia during the Syria war – ranging from barrel bombs to chemical weapons \- perhaps none have been so deliberately destructive and callous as double-tap strikes. The aim of the strikes – …
Facebook removes Afghan media pages controlled by Taliban
Facebook has removed the accounts of at least two state-owned media outlets in Afghanistan, the company confirmed Thursday, saying it was complying with laws in the United States listing the Taliban as a “terrorist organisation”. The Taliban have made …
Online campaign to boycott the purchase of cars in Gaza
Gazan activists launched a digital campaign calling for a boycott on any purchases of cars due to high prices in the besieged coastal enclave. Under the hashtag “Let it rust”, the campaign has become widespread among residents to pressure car merchants…
UK handling of Channel migrant arrivals unacceptable: report
Britain’s handling of migrants who arrive by small boats from northern France has been unacceptable, ineffective and inefficient, an independent inspection published on Thursday said. The number of people attempting dangerous sea crossings to enter Bri…
House Democrats move to make contraceptive use right in law
The right to use contraceptives would be inscribed into law under a measure Democrats are pushing through the House, their latest campaign-season response to worries that a conservative US Supreme Court that’s erased federal abortion rights could go fu…
Uyghur activist lives in fear of deportation from Morocco
After a year of his arrest at the Casablanca airport, the fate of the Uyghur activist Idris Hasan, also known as Yidiresi Aishan, remains shrouded in ambiguity. “Last time I visited him, two months ago, he was physically and mentally well. However, fea…