Middle East Experience

Iraqi Kurds and other migrants said they were fleeing despair at home, but Belarus encouraged them, offering visas and helping them get to the border..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Migrants Say Belarusians Took Them to E.U. Border and Supplied Wire Cutters

Protests came days after Iraq PM Kadhimi escaped unhurt from a drone attack on his residence..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Pro-Iran Hashed groups press ahead with protests in Iraq

In July, deadly protests broke out in the southwestern province of Khuzestan after drought led to widespread water shortages..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Drought, water conflict spark farmers’ protests in Iran’s Isfahan

At least one person was killed and four others injured Saturday when a suspected bomb destroyed a minibus near a Taliban checkpoint in Kabul, officials said.An explosion has been heard in the western parts of Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, sources confirmed to Al Arabiya, just before sunset on Saturday. Initial videos circulating on social media showed a plume of smoke arising in the middle of a busy road.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A nearby hospital posted a notice saying it had admitted one dead and four injured.Taliban spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid tweeted that one person had been killed and two injured.The blast comes a day after at least three people were killed and 15 wounded by a bomb at a mosque Nangarhar.According to the AFP news agency, the incident happened in Dasht-e Barchi, a Kabul suburb dominated by members of the mostly Shia Hazara community, who for years have been the target of violence by the ISIS group.Since the Taliban returned to power on August 15, dozens of bombs have been set off in eastern Nangarhar province -- a hotbed of ISIS activity -- but the capital Kabul has largely escaped such violence."I was in my car and an explosion happened in the vehicle in front of us," a witness told AFP."It was completely burnt."(With AFP)Read more:Ariana Afghan Airlines begins flights from Kabul to Pakistan’s IslamabadSenior Taliban commander among dead in hospital attack: OfficialGrenade targets Taliban vehicle in Afghan capital: Officials
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: At least one killed as minibus hit by bomb in Afghan capital Kabul

According to the Hamas leaders, the large turnout at the funeral of Wasfi Kabaha, a former Palestinian Authority Minister of Prisoners Affairs, is a vote of confidence in the Islamist movement.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Hamas elated by large turnout at funeral of top official in Jenin

Kuwait’s emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah has issued two decrees for amnesty, pardoning and reducing sentences imposed on 35 people, the state news agency (KUNA) said on Saturday.The Kuwaiti ruler paved the way in October for an amnesty to pardon dissidents, which has been a major condition of opposition lawmakers to end a months-long stand-off with the government that has held up planned fiscal reforms.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.There was no immediate details available on the pardoned names or occupations.Read more:Kuwait investigating four suspects over ties with Lebanon’s HezbollahKuwaiti government submits resignation to EmirKuwait’s emir launches process for amnesty pardoning dissidents
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait’s emir pardons and reduces sentences for 35 people: Report

The protecting power agreement means Qatar will set up a US “interests section” within its own embassy in Kabul..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar provides US with diplomatic bridge to Taliban

In a message to the UAE, al-Thani said Qatar hopes “countries will be discouraged from taking further steps with the Syrian regime.”..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar calls for halt of normalisation with Syria

COP26 President Alok Sharma on Saturday urged delegates to accept a draft summit decision, saying the “balanced” deal at the UN climate talks “really moves things forward for everyone.”“Everyone has had a chance to have their say. I hope that colleagues will appreciate what is on the table,” Sharma told the conference plenary, adding that the summit was planned to end “this afternoon” after dragging well into overtime.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sharma was speaking after an hour of frantic shuttle diplomacy between heads of delegation including US climate envoy John Kerry and European Commission vice president Frans Timmermans led a public debate on the text to be delayed even further.Sharma acknowledged that “not every aspect will be welcomed by everyone” but insisted that a deal was in sight.After two weeks of round-the-clock talks, countries are still far apart on several issues, including how vulnerable nations’ climate fight is financed and on rules governing carbon markets.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: COP26 draft deal ‘moves things forward for everyone’: UK presidency

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other cities on Saturday to protest against a military takeover, despite security forces firing tear gas and bullets to disperse them, witnesses and medics said.One protester was killed by live fire from security forces in Omdurman, across the Nile from central Khartoum, and many others were wounded, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The demonstrations come two days after military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced the formation of a new ruling council that excludes the civilian coalition the military had been sharing power with since 2019.Sudanese pro-democracy groups condemned the move and vowed to continue their campaign of civil disobedience and protests against the Oct. 25 coup.Security forces closed bridges on Saturday between central Khartoum and its twin cities of Omdurman and Khartoum North to vehicles and pedestrians, laying barbed wire to block access. Roads to strategic sites were also shut.As protesters began to gather in the early afternoon around the capital, security forces moved quickly to try to disperse them, firing tear gas and chasing demonstrators down side streets to try to prevent them reaching central meeting points, witnesses said."People were surprised that they fired the tear gas so early," said one protester in Omdurman. Protesters "retreated into the neighbourhood and barricaded the streets and now they're coming back to the main road."Witnesses estimated the number of protesters around Khartoum to be in the tens of thousands.During previous rallies, including on Oct. 30 when hundreds of thousands turned out, security forces had waited until later in the day before trying to disperse protesters.The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, which is aligned with the protest movement, said demonstrations were "facing excessive repression using all forms of force including live bullets in several areas of the capital Khartoum".There was no immediate comment from security forces, but Burhan has previously said peaceful protests are allowed and the military does not kill protesters.Read more:Protests planned as Sudan military tightens grip after coupWestern countries express concern over new transitional council in SudanGeneral Burhan’s moves make return to Sudan’s constitution harder: UNProtests erupt in Sudan’s capital after announcement of ruling council
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Protesters face tear gas and bullets to oppose Sudan coup