Ankara (AFP) – Turkey on Friday hosted an American delegation for talks to address concerns about the potential negative impact on its economy of the looming reimposition of US sanctions against Iran. US President Donald Trump decided in May to abandon the 2015 deal agreed with other world powers on Iran’s nuclear programme and reimpose […]
Army of Buddhist Burma made ‘Systematic’ Crackdown Plan for Muslim Rohingyas
Bangkok (AFP) – Myanmar’s military engaged in “extensive and systematic” preparations for a bloody crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, a rights group said Thursday, in a damning new report that it says justifies a genocide investigation. A bloody military campaign that started last August forced some 700,000 of the effectively stateless minority over the border into […]
US Gen. Denies Change in US Syria Policy despite post-Summit Russian Announcement
Washington (AFP) – The top commander overseeing US military involvement in Syria said Thursday he’d received no new instructions to work with Russians since President Donald Trump met with his Russian counterpart in Finland. “No new guidance for me as a result of the Helsinki discussions as of yet,” General Joe Votel, who heads US […]
Iraq: Massive Protests against US-Installed Gov’t Enter Second Week
Basra (Iraq) (AFP) – Protests in Iraq continued into their second week Monday following days of clashes that left eight people dead, with demonstrators rallying to put social problems in the spotlight. Months after Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State group, attention has turned from the military battle to the fight for jobs and […]
Pakistanis Mourn as Extremists attack Democratic Elections, killing 128
by Maaz KHAN – Mastung (Pakistan) (AFP) – Pakistan was in shock Saturday after a suicide blast killed 128 people, shaking confidence in security just as the dramatic arrest of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif ratcheted political tensions higher ahead of nationwide polls. Sharif’s highly-anticipated return from London and subsequent arrest for corruption was overshadowed as […]
United Arab Emirates Committing War Crimes in its Yemen Prisons: Amnesty
Dubai (AFP) – Human rights violations in a string of Yemeni prisons run by the United Arab Emirates could amount to war crimes, Amnesty International said Thursday in a report promptly rejected by the UAE. It called for investigations by the UAE and allies including the United States into a network of unofficial prisons across […]
Emerging Superpower China Offers Arab States $20 bn. in Development Loans
Beijing (AFP) – China will provide Arab states with $20 billion in loans for economic development, President Xi Jinping told top Arab officials Tuesday, as Beijing seeks to build its influence in the Middle East and Africa. The money will be earmarked for “projects that will produce good employment opportunities and positive social impact in […]
Open Apartheid? Israeli Bill that would allow Jewish-Only Communities worries President
Jerusalem (AFP) – Israel’s president raised alarm Tuesday over a proposed law seen as opening the door to the establishment of Jewish-only communities in the country. Reuven Rivlin’s comments marked a rare intervention in politics by the country’s president, whose role is mainly symbolic. He voiced his concerns in an open letter, pointing to a […]
Syrian Government Recovers Economic Hub linking to Jordan, Gulf Oil States
By Rim Haddad | – Nassib (Syrie) (AFP) – Syrian army soldiers burned a rebel flag Saturday after they and Russian military police took over the crucial Nassib post on the border with Jordan. “The government has got its hands on a major economic hub that links Syria with other countries, above all Jordan and […]








