Middle East

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – A Palestinian teen died of his wounds Saturday a day after he was shot by Israeli troops during a protest on the Gaza border, the enclave’s health ministry said. Ahmad Abu Tayoor, 17, was shot late Friday on the border close to the southern city of Rafah, the ministry […]

Israel/ Palestine

Trump Cuts $25 mn in Aid to Hospitals serving Palestinians in E. Jerusalem

AFP

Washington (AFP) – The United States plans to cut $25 million in aid to six hospitals primarily serving Palestinians in Jerusalem, a State Department official confirmed Saturday. The official said the decision followed a President Donald Trump-directed review of assistance to the Palestinian Authority and in the West Bank and Gaza “to ensure these funds […]

Qatar

Qatar Emir to Invest $12 bn in Germany, Seeking to Break out of Saudi Blockade

AFP

Berlin (AFP) – Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said in Berlin Friday his country would invest some 10 billion euros ($11.6 billion) in Germany, as he battles a policy of isolation by neighbouring states. “We are announcing Qatar’s desire to invest 10 billion euros in the German economy over the coming five years,” […]

Israel/ Palestine

Boycott: Israel Apartheid toward Palestinians Causes 15 Musicians to Cancel on Meteor Festival

Maan News Agency

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A wave of cancellations followed Lana Del Rey’s announcement about cancelling her performance at the Meteor Music Festival in northern Israel this weekend. Following efforts by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) and worldwide criticism, more than 15 music artists have cancelled their performances at the Meteor Festival in Israel, according […]

Iraq

Iraq: Basra Protesters Torch Iranian Consulate in ongoing Water Protest

AFP

Basra (Iraq) (AFP) – Iraqi protesters on Friday torched the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Basra in fresh demonstrations over poor public services after parliament called for an emergency session on the unrest. Unidentified attackers also fired shells into Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone in a rare attack on an area that houses parliament, […]

Iraq

Is Iraq Collapsing? Basra Protests of Dirty Water have sent 30,000 to Hospital, Green Zone Bombarded

AFP

Basra (Iraq) (AFP) – Three mortar shells were fired into Baghdad’s green zone early Friday as a curfew was imposed in the southern Iraqi city of Basra after a fresh outbreak of violent protests over poor public services left one person dead and 35 injured. The rare assault by unidentified attackers on the heavily-fortified green […]

Middle East

Amid Cacophony of War and Repression, Essential Mideastern Voices are going Silent

Michael Jansen

Dublin (Informed Comment) Tahrir Square’s voices have been silenced. During the 18 days of Egypt’s 2011 up- rising, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians from every corner of the country, every social level, and every persuasion flocked to Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square to speak freely about their lives, their dreams and their rulers. Anyone and everyone […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israeli Supreme Court allowing Demolition of Bedouin village Khan al-Ahmar called “War Crime”

Maan News Agency

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — Head of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Walid Assaf, declared on Wednesday the beggining of an open sit-in at the Khan al-Ahmar village east of the Jerusalem district in the central West Bank protesting the Israeli decision to demolish it.Assaf’s decision came after the Israeli High Court […]

Saudi Arabia

Signs of Rift in Saudi Royal Family over Yemen Quagmire that has left 10,000 Dead?

AFP

Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi King Salman’s brother has played down controversial remarks he made to anti-Saudi protesters in London that sparked furious speculation about possible discord within the royal family. Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Saud apparently told a crowd in London to stop chanting slogans against the Saudi royal family over the kingdom’s involvement in […]