Talks between rival Libyan institutions aimed at breaking the deadlock over the rules for long-awaited elections failed to resolve key differences, the United Nations said Thursday. Parliament speaker Aguila Saleh and President of the High Council of S…
Erdogan urges new push to end war in Ukraine
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called for intensified effort to end the war in Ukraine, adding that there were “no losers in a just peace”. Erdogan said Turkey was trying to pursue “a balanced policy” because of its heavy reliance o…
Biden backs filibuster exception to protect abortion access
PresidentJoe Biden said Thursday that he would support eliminating the Senate filibuster to protect access to abortion after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. “If the filibuster gets in the way, it’s like voting rights,” Biden said during a …
Challenging Tunisian society’s homophobia through theatre
For the LGBTQI+ community in North Africa and the Middle East, Pride Month is bittersweet. While celebrating their love and existence within safe and private spaces, members of the queer community in many North African and Middle Eastern countries are …
Aqaba port workers strike, say admin ignored safety concerns
Workers in the Aqaba Port of Jordan went on strike for a fourth day on Thursday, demanding better safety standards after a container of chlorine gas fell on Monday, killing 13 people and hospitalising more than 200. The container of gas was being loade…
Amazon restricts sale of ‘LGBTQ products’ in UAE
Amazon has restricted the sale of LGBTQ-related products on its website in the UAE following “government pressure”, according to reports on Wednesday. The tech giant blocked over 150 LGBTQ-related search terms alongside the sales of items including Pri…
Iran says nuclear deal still possible
Iran insisted Thursday that a revived nuclear agreement with major powers remains achievable despite a negative US assessment of two-way talks in Qatar intended to reboot the stalled negotiations. The US State Department said the EU-brokered proximity …
Hajj tour upheaval forces UK operators to juggle with faith
The yearly Hajj pilgrimage usually attracts over two million Muslims hailing from all around the world. Many pilgrims will have saved their entire adult lives for this once-a-lifetime experience that Muslims believe to be an obligation upon all who can…
Ukraine cuts ties with Syria after it recognises separatist republics
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday announced the end of diplomatic ties between Kyiv and Damascus after Moscow ally Syria recognised the independence of eastern Ukraine’s two separatist republics. The breakaway states of Donetsk and Lu…
Protester killed in Sudan anti-coup rallies: medics
Sudanese security forces on Wednesday killed a protester during the latest rallies against last year’s military coup, medics said. The protester, yet to be identified, died after taking a “shot to the chest” during rallies in North Khartoum, said the p…