Middle East

Israel shuts down Ramon prison due to COVID infections

aljazeera– Israeli prison authorities have closed down the Ramon prison after detecting several coronavirus infections among prisoners and guards, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS). There was no comment from Israeli authorities but the PPS said on Sunday that the closure

Middle East

COVID in besieged Gaza: ‘A blockade inside a blockade’

aljazeera– Eight years ago, the United Nations warned that the Gaza Strip will not be a “liveable place” by 2020, urging Israel to lift its years-long blockade against the Palestinian coastal enclave and calling for an intensified and “herculean effort” to improve basic services there. Israel and Egypt have continued the crippling air, land and […]

Middle East

Sudan Says U.S. Congress Moves Ahead On Ending Pariah Status

republicworld– Sudan’s Justice Ministry said Tuesday the U.S. Congress has moved forward on Washington’s promise to end the African country’s pariah status, passing legislation that grants Sudan some immunity from legal action by Americans against its involvement in militant attacks. The legislation, part of a massive relief package that Congress

Middle East

Yemen’s President In Exile Reshuffles Cabinet To End Rift

republicworld– Yemen’s embattled president, in exile in Saudi Arabia, announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday in a major step toward closing a dangerous rift between his internationally recognized government and southern separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said the incumbent prime minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, would

Middle East

Normalisation with Israel ‘not on agenda’, says Tunisian PM

aljazeera– Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi says his country has no intention of following in Morocco’s footsteps and normalise ties with Israel. In an interview with broadcaster France 24 on Monday, Mechichi said: “For Tunisia, the question is not on the agenda,” but insisted it nevertheless respected the kingdom’s choice. “Every country has its own […]

Middle East

Mass Demonstration Outside Netanyahu’s Residence

republicworld– A large crowd of Israelis protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding his resignation over corruption charges and his alleged mishandling of the coronavirus crisis. Some 2,000 people demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem. Protesters held signs reading “Go” and “Everyone

Asia Middle East

Iraqis Slowly Rebuild Mosul, With Little Aid From Government

republicworld– Anan Yasoun rebuilt her home with yellow cement slabs amid the rubble of Mosul, a brightly colored manifestation of resilience in a city that for many remains synonymous with the Islamic State group’s reign of terror. In the three years since Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, liberated Mosul from the militants, Yasoun […]

Middle East

More Netanyahu Protests As Israel Edges Toward Snap Election

republicworld– Several thousand protesters in Jerusalem gathered Saturday outside the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding his resignation as Israel moves toward an early election. The protesters have been gathering weekly for the past six months, saying Netanyahu should step down because of his corruption trial and what they say is

Middle East

Iran Parliament Pushes Bill To End UN Nuclear Inspections After Scientist’s Killing

republicworld– The Iranian parliament on Tuesday, December 1, proposed a bill that would end United Nations inspections on its nuclear facilities. Iran had agreed to give UN inspectors more intrusive access to atomic sites in accordance with the multi-party nuclear agreement struck five years ago. The new bill would further require the government to expand […]

Middle East

Syria at War: Eight Years On

Losses exceeding $442 billion and millions in need of humanitarian assistance: the catastrophic repe..