A United Nations rights expert issued a blistering criticism of Israel’s policies on Monday, deepening a row over alleged anti-Israel bias within the UN following US pressure. In a report, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Michael Lynk, charged Israel with “the subjugation of humanity” and intensifying a crackdown on human rights campaigners.
Category: Middle East
.com | Trump wants to work with Palestinians – official
US President Donald Trump sees Mahmoud Abbas as a “strategic partner” and the Palestinian leader wants to engage with him to work towards a two-state solution, a senior Palestinian official said on Monday. Jibril Rajoub, a high-ranking member of Abbas’s Fatah party seen as a possible successor to the 81-year-old president, said he believed Trump could be less beholden to certain interest groups than previous US presidents.
U.S. House Republicans to release healthcare bill changes
FILE PHOTO: House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady speaks with the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 14, 2017. Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives will release changes to their healthcare bill on Monday, a top lawmaker said, in hopes of winning passage for the legislation later this week, and eventually, in the Senate.
Settler leader blasts lack of new settlement construction
A settler leader vowed that there would be construction in all the West Bank settlements, and expressed frustration that limitations have not been lifted since the January inauguration of US President Donald Trump. “The decision of the leadership of the Yesha Council is that there will be construction in every settlement, we are longer in the Obama era and it can’t be that the Trump era is even worse than the Obama era,” Army Radio on Monday quoted Avi Roeh, the leader of the settler umbrella group the Yesha Council, as telling a meeting of the group.
The real face of Jordan
Every once in a while, the Jordanian people are given a chance to express how they really feel about Israel. It’s ugly.
March 20, 2017Rivlin responds to public broadcasting saga from Vietnam
Antisemitism in the US is on the rise – what do US senators and Israeli ministers have to say about it? Save your seat In Hanoi and Beijing, they’re talking about Israel’s public broadcasting crisis, or more accurately why the crisis should not be a pretext for holding new elections. Reporters traveling in Vietnam with President Reuven Rivlin and in China with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were more inclined to report on the broadcasting dilemma and possible election crisis than on bilateral relations.
Turkey orders sanctions against Netherlands over treatment of ministers
Turkey has announced a series of political sanctions against the Netherlands over its refusal to allow two Turkish ministers to campaign there. The sanctions include halting high-level political discussions between the two countries and closing Turkish air space to Dutch diplomats.
Minister opens sixth edition of Cityscape Qatar 2017
Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani along with other officials opening the sixth edition of Cityscape Qatar 2017 at the DECC, yesterday. Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani yesterday opened the sixth edition of Cityscape Qatar 2017 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center .
Estrangement between Europe and Turkey grows as a referendum on Erdogana s power nears
The unusually bitter dispute between European countries and Turkey over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attempts to hold political rallies in their cities is sharply escalating as Ankara releases its long-simmering frustration at its perceived mistreatment by its allies. After its ministers were barred from giving campaign speeches in Cologne, Rotterdam and other cities last week, the Turkish government stoked the crisis by accusing the German government of “Nazi practices,” calling the Dutch “Nazi remnants,” warning that they will “pay the price” and telling the Dutch ambassador not to return to Ankara.
Turkey sanctions the Netherlands over ministers’ treatment
A prosecutor says surveillance video showing Michael Brown in a Ferguson, Missouri, convenience store the day he was fatally shot by a police officer was heavily edited by a documentary film crew. A law-enforcement officer charged with murder in a 6-year-old boy’s fatal shooting is heading to trial.
Turkish leader says Dutch will ‘pay the price’ for insult
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he appropriately accused the Dutch government of “Nazism and fascism,” saying only those type… . Protesters wave flags outside the Dutch consulate in central Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue, the main shopping road of Istanbul, early Sunday, March 12, 2017.
Russian fund forms int’l consortium to invest in Turkish company’s projects in Russia
The Russian Direct Investment Fund said in a statement on March 10 that it has finalized the key terms of cooperation with Ronesans Holding, the construction, real estate development and investment company. RDIF said it formed a consortium of the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds to invest in the development of Ronesans Holding’s projects in Russia.
Dutch PM: Red line drawn because of Turkey’s ‘blackmail’
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he was forced to keep two Turkish ministers from traveling within the Netherlands and to bar them from campaigning among Turkish voters because Ankara had threatened sanctions against his government. The prime minister says he was shocked to see one of the ministers try to get to a Rotterdam rally by car after the government had made clear she was not welcome.
The Latest: Turkish party: Suspend ties with Dutch
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in France Sunday to whip up support for co… . A woman waves the turkish flag during a campaign gathering in Metz, eastern France, Sunday, March 12, 2017.
AP Interview: Former Obama spokesman talks Trump, Russia
Earnest said Sunday he believ… . Former Obama White House press secretary Josh Earnest talks to the Associated Press reporter at the Public Diplomacy & Government Communication Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 12, 2017.
Turkey’s Erdogan calls on international organisations to impose sanctions on the Netherlands
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday called on international organisations to impose sanctions on the Netherlands, as a diplomatic row over Ankara’s political campaigning among Turkish immigrants in Europe continues to simmer.
Syrian alliance of Islamist factions says responsible for twin Damascus bombings
A Syrian alliance of Islamist jihadist groups known Tahrir al Sham said on Sunday it was responsible for two suicide attacks in the capital Damascus that killed and injured dozens of Shi’ite visitors. In a statement, the group said the attack targeted “Iranian militias” and pro-government defence militias in revenge for what it said was Iran’s role in supporting President Bashar al Assad’s “tyrannical rule,” holding them responsible for “killing and displacing” Syrians.
The Latest: Turkish minister attends France campaign rally
Turkey’s top diplomat has drawn more than a hundred people at a campaign gathering in the northern French city of Metz amid a diplomatic spat with the Netherlands. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in France Sunday to whip up support for controversial constitutional reforms to expand the powers of the Turkish presidency.
Al-Qaida-linked group claims deadly attack in Syrian capital
An al-Qaida-linked group has claimed responsibility for twin blasts near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in the Syrian capital Damascus that killed at least 40 people. The Levant Liberation Committee said in a statement Sunday that the attack was carried by two of its suicide attackers, claiming that they targeted pro-Iranian and pro-government militiamen.
Qatar stock index gains 17.64 points
Doha: Qatar Stock Exchange index gained 17.64 points when the bourse closed trading at 10,484.87 points Sunday. The volume of shares traded decreased to 9,271,607 from 9,970,846 on Thursday and the value of shares increased QR352,696,354.62 from QR337,205,777.58 on Thursday.
Jordan releases soldier who killed 7 Israeli girls in 1997
In this Sunday, March 16, 1997 file photo, King Hussein of Jordan shakes the hand of members of the Badayev family in Beit Shemesh who are in mourning after their daughter Shiri was killed by a Jordanian soldier. King Hussein came to Israel to offer condolences to the seven families who had lost their daughters in an attack on a class trip.
Turkey-Dutch relations take dip after Turkish visits banned
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – The escalating dispute between Turkey and the Netherlands spilled over into Sunday, with a Turkish minister unable to enter her consulate after the Dutch had already blocked a visit by the foreign minister, prompting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to call the Dutch fascists and “Nazi remnants.”
Twin blasts kill 40 near religious sites in Syria’s capital
BEIRUT – Twin blasts Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in the Syrian capital Damascus killed at least 40 people and wounded over a hundred, most of them Iraqis, according to Syrian and Iraqi officials.
Avoiding the mistake of overconfidence
For weeks, Iraqi officials have sounded optimistic about the battle for Mosul, which is Iraq’s second-largest city. On Monday, they came very close to their own But by Tuesday, those troops were retreating in disorder.
With U.S. troops, Syria confident it can capture ISIS ‘capital’
This frame grab from a video provided by the Syria Democratic Forces , shows fighters from the SDF opening fire on an Islamic State group’s position, in Raqqa’s eastern countryside, Syria, Monday, March 6, 2017. The main U.S.-backed force fighting the Islamic State group in Syria has enough fighters to capture the extremists’ de facto capital of Raqqa north of the country at a time when U.S. troops are playing a bigger role on the ground in the battle to conquer the city, a spokeswoman for the force said Friday, March 10, 2017.
Popular Omani film actor and director, Salim Bahwan passed away.
Muscat: Popular Omani film actor and director, Salim Bahwan passed away late yesterday afternoon after suffering a heart attack. He was at the Royal Hospital. Bahwan has acted in films and also directed them. One of his most recent films was ‘Story of Mohra’.
PA officials: Abbas is a ‘peace partner’
Palestinian Authority officials claimed on Saturday night that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday refutes Israel’s claim that Abbas isn’t a partner for peace. During Friday’s conversation, the first between Trump and Abbas since Trump took office, the President invited the PA leader to the White House.
The Latest: Rotterdam mayor issues emergency order in spat
The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, draw… . The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
What Happens if U.S. Catches Baghdadi?By John Batchelor
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is reportedly on the move after coalition forces set siege to Mosul, raising the question what the U.S. should do if it ever catches him. , is no longer camped in the besieged Mosul and is somewhere along the Syrian border “between al Hajinn in Syria and al Ba’aaj in Iraq.”
Turkey-Dutch relations take dip after Turkish visit banned
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Turkey and the Netherlands sharply escalated a dispute between the two NATO allies on Saturday as the Dutch blocked a campaign visit by the Turkish foreign minister, prompting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to call them “fascists.” The Netherlands withdrew the landing permission for Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu because of objections to his intention to rally in Rotterdam for a Turkish referendum on constitutional reforms to expand presidential powers, which the Dutch see as a step backward from democracy.
The Latest: Pro-Turkey protest outside Rotterdam consulate
The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, draw… . The Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a visit of the booth of Turkey at the tourism fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
Dutch Ban Turkish Official From Entry, Erdogan Hits Back With ‘Nazi’ Comment
Tensions ramped up quickly between Turkey and the Netherlands Saturday, after the Dutch government not only disallowed Turkey’s foreign minister from holding a public rally in the country, but revoked his flight permit to even land there. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fumed about the Dutch government after the news, while speaking to a crowd in Istanbul.
Twin blasts kill 40, injure more than 100 near religious sites in Syria’s capital
A forensics team examines a damaged bus at the scene of a bombing in Damascus’ Old City on March 11, 2017. A forensics team examines a damaged bus at the scene of a bombing in Damascus’ Old City on March 11, 2017.
The Latest: Rutte calls Turkish ‘fascists’ remark ‘crazy’
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Istanbul, Saturday, March 11, 2017. The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, drawing the ire of the Turkish president and escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two NATO allies over campaigning for a Turkish referendum on constitutional reform.
Trump lawyers knew Flynn might register as foreign agent
Flynn, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, who was fired from the W… . White House press secretary Sean Spicer talks to the media during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, March 10, 2017.
The Latest: Organizers of canceled Dutch rally urge calm
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Istanbul, Saturday, March 11, 2017. The Dutch government on Saturday withdrew landing permission for the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s aircraft, drawing the ire of the Turkish president and escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two NATO allies over campaigning for a Turkish referendum on constitutional reform.
Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Harish Rawat loses Haridwar seat to BJP
The people in Uttarakhand seem to have voted against Harish Rawat’s Congress government this time as the exit poll predicted a clean sweep by the BJP which is expected to get over 50 out of 71 Assembly seats. The BJP fared poorly in the last UP elections, winning only 47 out of 403 assembly seats, but it clinched 73 out of 80 parliamentary constituencies in 2014 with Modi standing in the holy city of Varanasi.
Trump invites Palestinian leader to the White House
Abbas has spent many hours on the phone and in meetings with USA presidents and secretaries of state over the past decade but he has been unsuccessful when reaching out to Trump. “President Trump has extended an official invitation to President Abbas to visit the White House soon to discuss ways to resume the political process, stressing his commitment to a peace process that will lead to a real peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis”, said Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah.
David Miliband: Don’t pull up drawbridge after Brexit
Britain must make sure it does not pull up the drawbridge after Brexit and leave Europe to deal with the migration crisis on its own, David Miliband has said. The former British politician, who now heads up the International Rescue Committee , said it will be much harder for the UK to maintain a global role after leaving the European Union, which has seen hundreds of thousands of men, women and children seeking refuge from the civil war in Syria.
David Miliband: Don’t pull up drawbridge after Brexit
Britain must make sure it does not pull up the drawbridge after Brexit and leave Europe to deal with the migration crisis on its own, David Miliband has said. The former British politician, who now heads up the International Rescue Committee , said it will be much harder for the UK to maintain a global role after leaving the European Union, which has seen hundreds of thousands of men, women and children seeking refuge from the civil war in Syria.