Archives for July, 2023

Iran nuclear

US, West turn up heat on Iran over Ukraine

Also: An October benchmark for the Iran nuclear deal could turn into a showdown over Ukraine, while signaling the end of the JCPOA.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stretches to make a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Semi Finals on day eleven of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Culture

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur falls short at Wimbledon final, loses to Vondrousova

Jabeur, who has a massive following across North Africa and the Middle East, is still seeking her first Grand Slam win after falling short at Wimebledon for the second year in a row.

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 05: Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd-L) meets with Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia (4nd-R) at the Great Hall of the People at The Great Hall Of The People on September 5, 2018 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

China eyes Algerian oil and gas as it receives Tebboune in Beijing

Algeria's president will want to use next week's visit to China to make a pitch for his country to join the five-nation alliance of emerging economies seen as an alternative to Western hegemony.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

An Iraqi dives into the waters of the Tigris river in Baghdad on July 12, 2023, as temperatures soared past 45 degrees Celsius

Iraqis beat summer heat by swimming in shrinking Tigris river

Agence France-Presse

Smoke billows in the distance around the Khartoum North district amid ongoing fighting

Communication cuts, disease outbreak in Sudan as fighting rages

Agence France-Presse

rticipants hold placards reading "I choose Maryam Rajav."

Iran rebukes Italy over 'terror sponsorship' after hosting MEK leader

Iran was enraged by the Italian Senate Foreign Relations Committee after it hosted the leader of an opposition group that has been seeking regime change in Tehran for decades.

Dubai's Stock Market Exchange is pictured on a skyscraper.

UAE suspends Emirates Gold over money laundering allegations

The London Bullion Market Association, which regulates the United Kingdom capital’s metals market, suspended Emirates Gold DMCC’s affiliate membership after conducting a review.

United Arab Emirates

Ons Jabeur is attempting to become the first woman from Africa or the Arab world to win a Grand Slam title

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian battling her way into tennis history

Agence France-Presse

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) welcomes Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on November 24, 2021. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Turkey grapples with deficit, Erdogan pins his hopes on Gulf funds during visit

Ankara is hoping for an inflow of Gulf dollars as the battered lira remains under pressure amid a gaping budget deficit and reluctance to take firmer measures to tame inflation.

Mustafa Sonmez

By Mustafa Sonmez

In Istanbul, reporting on economics

Pierbattista Pizzaballa (C), the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Meet Jerusalem Patriarch championing Christians rights and soon to be Cardinal

Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the soon-to-be-nominated cardinal, has been spearheading the Vatican's battle against violence in Jerusalem in favor of inter-cultural/inter-religious dialogue for more than 20 years.

JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s Raisi seals 21 deals on Africa trip, attends drone exhibit in Kenya

Iran is seeking stronger ties to sub-Saharan Africa but faces competition from the Gulf and China.

JONAS ROOSENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

Israel condemns Sweden’s permission to burn Torah scroll

Israel’s highest officials are calling on Swedish authorities to revoke the Stockholm police's authorization for activists to burn a Torah scroll. The move comes shortly after the Quran burning in Sweden which sparked outrage in the Muslim world.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia outranks US for expat life, Kuwait ranks worst

Saudi Arabia was found to be the 28th best country to live in as an expatriate while the United States ranked 30th, according to a Tuesday report.

Israeli soldiers take position along the border with Lebanon, in the town of Metulla in northern Israel, July 12, 2023.

Analysis

Israel’s Hezbollah deterrence is eroding as Lebanon border heats up

IDF seniors warn that Hezbollah is becoming bolder and bolder, increasingly attempting to infiltrate Israeli territories and to provoke incidents with Israel.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Chaima Issa greets her family and supporters upon release from prison near Tunis

Two opponents of Tunisia's Saied freed

Agence France-Presse

An aerial view shows a Moroccan flag measuring 60,000 square metres (645,835 square foot) and weighing 20 tonnes in the town of Dakhla, on May 8, 2010. The flag is an attempt to beat the record for the World's largest flag, a record which is currently held by Israel. AFP PHOTO/AIDA (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel-Morocco security ties set to deepen after Western Sahara recognition

The last two years have seen a quantum leap in the security and strategic cooperation between Israel and Morocco.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs