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Israel says its forces killed Palestinian girl in West Bank raid

Israel said Monday its forces unintentionally shot dead a Palestinian girl during a raid in Jenin, a flashpoint city in the occupied West Bank where dozens of Palestinians including local fighters have been killed in recent months.

Israel's army said it came under fire during an operation late Sunday to arrest three people "suspected of terror involvement".

"The girl who was killed was hit by unintentional fire aimed at armed gunmen on a roof in the area from which the force was fired upon," an army statement said, adding that no troops were hurt.

Palestinian mourners attend the funeral of 16-year-old Jana Zakarnaa, killed during an Israeli raid on Sunday night

Iran defies outcry with second protest execution

Iran on Monday executed a second man in connection with protests that have shaken the regime for months, defying an international outcry over its use of capital punishment against those involved in the movement.

Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, had been sentenced to death by a court in the city of Mashhad for killing two members of the security forces with a knife, and wounding four other people, the judiciary's Mizan Online news agency reported.

It said he was hanged in public in the city, rather than inside prison.

Majidreza Rahnavard had been sentenced to death by a court in the city of Mashhad for killing two members of the security forces with a knife

Erdogan tells Putin to 'clear' Kurdish forces from northern Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday that it was imperative the Kremlin "clear" Kurdish forces from northern Syria.

Erdogan has been threatening to launch a new incursion into northern Syria to push out Kurdish forces he blames for a November bomb blast that killed six people in Istanbul.

A 2019 agreement between Moscow and Ankara ended another offensive by setting up a 30-kilometre (19-mile) "safe zone" to protect Turkey against cross-border attacks from Syrian territory.

Turkey-backed Syrian fighters have been clashing with Kurdish forces allied to Washington

Iran strengthens political, economic hold over Iraq

Sanctions-hit Iran is consolidating its hold over neighbouring Iraq, an economic lifeline where pro-Tehran parties dominate politics, all to the chagrin of the United States, experts say.

For years, Iraq has been caught in a delicate balancing act between its two main allies Tehran and Washington, themselves arch foes.

After a 2003 US-led invasion toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Iran's influence has grown through political links among both countries' Shiite-Muslim majorities.

Air conditioners and electrical appliances imported from Iran are unloaded in Baghdad in February  2019

More Iranians at imminent risk of execution: rights groups

Rights groups warned Sunday that several protesters in Iran are at imminent risk of execution, following an international backlash against the clerical regime's first hanging linked to ongoing demonstrations.

The almost three-month-old protest movement was sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian arrested by the morality police for allegedly breaching the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

Many activists want the international response to go further, even extending to severing diplomatic ties with Iran

Under-fire Greek MEP loses VP powers over Qatar graft probe

A Greek MEP had her powers as a vice president of the European Parliament suspended Saturday over a corruption probe implicating World Cup hosts Qatar that has ensnared four others and sparked calls for "root and branch reform" in the EU institution.

European Parliament president Roberta Metsola "has decided to suspend with immediate effect all powers, duties and tasks that were delegated to Eva Kaili in her capacity as Vice-President of the European Parliament," a spokesperson said.

Qatar has denied any 'misconduct'

Tunisians protest president ahead of polls

Hundreds protested in Tunisia Saturday against President Kais Saied ahead of parliamentary elections that represent the latest consolidation of a power grab he began in July last year.

The protests were organised by political parties that have been marginalised by Saied -- first by him firing the government and suspending parliament last year, then by a new constitution.

"Freedoms, freedoms -- the police state is finished!" protesters shouted.

Tunisian demonstrators take part in a rally against President Kais Saied in the capital Tunis

With eye on Washington, Saudi courts closer China ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to Saudi Arabia this week made clear just how quickly ties are intensifying during a period of geopolitical realignment, despite warnings from the White House.

The agenda included talks with Saudi royals and summits with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council and broader Arab League, yielding agreements on everything from infrastructure to space.

China's President Xi Jinping (L), greeted by Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is visiting during tensions between the kingdom and the United States

Gaza's firefighters ill-equipped to contain deadly blazes

Standing on his street in Gaza, Alaa Habboub looked on in horror as flames engulfed his neighbours' home and screams rang out from the inferno that would claim 21 lives.

The disaster last month, in a three-storey residence packed with containers of petrol, may have been less deadly if the Gaza Strip had a better equipped fire service, said the 21-year-old.

The densely crowded Palestinian enclave blockaded by Israel has a shortage of fire and rescue gear, and most of its trucks are decades old, its emergency services say.

Palestinian firefighters check equipment at Gaza City's civil defence headquarters -- 'Everything is old and worn out,' the unit's chief said

France battle past England as Morocco make World Cup history

Defending champions France edged past England 2-1 on Saturday as Harry Kane missed a late penalty in the World Cup quarter-finals, after Morocco became the first African team ever to reach the last four.

France will face the surprising north Africans in a semi-final on Wednesday, earning their place when Olivier Giroud's header proved the difference at Al Bayt Stadium.

In a tense match, Aurelien Tchouameni's strike opened the scoring with 17 minutes gone, but Kane brought England level from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Olivier Giroud's header sent France into the World Cup semi-finals