Since entering the Oval Office, Joe Biden has been eager to avoid a replay of what he saw as an unpleasant episode from his time as vice president -- public brawling with Israel's pugnacious prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Now as the US ally plunges into turmoil over Netanyahu's divisive bid to shake up his country's judiciary, the Biden administration has been raising its tone, if only by a notch.

Tunisia on Monday called for "constructive discourse" from the European Union after a string of leaders warned the country is facing a crisis that could impact the 27-member bloc.

In a statement after meeting EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Tunis, Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar said he had "invited the European side to show more understanding of this particular phase through which our country is going".

He also called on Europe "to adopt a responsible and constructive discourse reflecting the reality" in the country.

Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim leader of a major UK political party, faces an uphill battle to revive Scotland's drive for independence following the long tenure of his close ally Nicola Sturgeon.

The new and youngest Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, 37, says his own experience as an ethnic minority means he will fight to protect the rights of all minorities -- including gay and transgender people.

Lebanon's caretaker government moved Monday to clear up widespread confusion over daylight saving that left the crisis-hit country with two time zones and growing concerns over sectarian divisions.

Daylight saving time will now start "at midnight on Wednesday to Thursday", caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati said, noting the need for "a period of 48 hours to fix technical issues".

Lebanon had been scheduled to roll clocks forward by one hour last weekend -- but authorities then announced in a surprise move late last week that the switch would be delayed by about a month.

The horrors they endured under the Islamic State group may be in the past for the people of Iraq, but the traumatic memories remain.

Now a research project is recording their witness testimonies for posterity.

Omar Mohammed, founder of the Mosul Eye project, rose to prominence during the IS reign by bravely sharing news via Twitter from inside the city under jihadist rule.

Years later, he wants to make sure nothing is forgotten.

Pistol shots ring out and carbide lingers in the air at the gun range of an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, as Tomer Gal completes the final stage of his firearms licence assessment.

Like many Israelis increasingly fearful of surging violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Gal decided to get a gun licence -- a lengthy process that firebrand National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sought to rapidly fast-track.

The United States on Tuesday opens its second Summit for Democracy with its eyes firmly on the rest of the world, seeking a united front against authoritarianism as Russia attacks Ukraine and as China launches a diplomatic offensive.

President Joe Biden took office pledging to champion democracy, and in his first year made good with the inaugural summit, which sought to reaffirm US leadership after his predecessor Donald Trump eroded democratic norms and the attack on the Capitol.

The Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers have vowed to meet before the end of the holy month of Ramadan to implement a landmark reconciliation deal, the two countries said Monday.

Saudi Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held their second phone call in less than a week and discussed "a number of common issues... in light of" the surprise agreement brokered by China announced on March 10, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday night paused a judicial overhaul that triggered a general strike, political division and mass protests in the country's most severe domestic crisis in years.

The proposed reforms would curtail the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers over the selection of judges.

After nearly three months of increasing tensions, the legislation will now be considered further in the next session of parliament, which begins in the second half of April.

Wracked by a crippling economic meltdown and political deadlock, Lebanon on Sunday added a seemingly odd question to its growing list of woes: "What time is it?"

A last-minute decision to delay daylight savings by a month has left the small country divided between two time zones after the move was met with opposition from the influential Maronite Church.