US president says Turkey’s economy will pay the price if Ankara takes ‘off-limits’ actions in Syria. US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to “totally destroy and obliterate” the Turkish economy if Ankara took any action he considered “off-limits” following his decision to withdraw US forces from northeastern Syria. “As I have stated strongly before, […]

While in the past few years protests in Iraq have become common, the latest wave of unrest which has reportedly left over 100 people dead and thousands more injured could mark a dangerous turning point. Iraqis are not simply calling for the downfall of a leader or political party. Instead, they are calling for the […]

SULAIMANIYA (REUTERS) – Hallo Mohammed Rasheed is a kung fu teacher in Iraq — that is, when he’s not at the local mosque leading prayers as an imam in the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya. Both are all about discipline, he says.  There’s no contradiction as far as he’s concerned. “This sport requires full commitment to […]

Ennahdha projected to win 17.5 percent of the vote, slightly ahead of Qalb Tunes, tipped to secure 15.6 percent. Tunis/Sousse, Tunisia – The conservative Ennahdha party has come first in Tunisia’s parliamentary election, according to an exit poll broadcast by state TV. The poll by Sigma Conseil showed Rached Ghannouchi’s moderate Islamist party would secure 17.5 percent of […]

The United Nations has called for an end to the “senseless loss of life” in Iraq as the death toll from anti-government protests nears 100. Demonstrators say they are taking a stand against unemployment, poor public services and corruption in the country. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said: “Five days […]

Demonstrators seek political overhaul as death toll after days of unrest over long-standing grievances rises. As clouds of white smoke billowed overhead, Showqi had no other option but to flee. Nearby, tens of others also scattered as they tried to outrun a fresh volley of tear gas fired by security  forces in Tahrir Square, in the […]

Unmarried foreign couples will now be allowed to rent hotel rooms together in Saudi Arabia as part of a new visa regime announced by the kingdom’s government. Women will also be allowed to stay in hotel rooms alone. Couples previously had to prove they were married before getting a hotel room. The move comes amid […]

Iraq is at war again, but this time with itself. Security forces have repeatedly turned their weapons on fellow Iraqis this past week, killing at least 87 and wounding more than 2,000, according to the toll as of Saturday. People had taken to the streets in Baghdad and across southern Iraq to protest widespread government […]

The death toll from days of violent demonstrations across Iraq surged to 53 yesterday, as unrest rapidly accelerated and the country’s most powerful cleric placed the blame squarely on politicians. In a rare intervention, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, whose word is law for most of Iraq’s majority Shi’ites, called on protesters and the security forces […]

Protesters in Iraqi capital promise not to retreat over demands for jobs, better services and an end to corruption. Protests against Iraq’s government and the wider political system have pulsated in different parts of the country this week as long-standing grievances over a stuttering economy and official corruption prompted thousands to take to the streets. Those […]