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Tunisian faces return to prison in homosexuality case

A Tunisian man appeared in court Monday in the latest hearing in a long-running case that could see him returned to prison for more than two years for homosexuality.

Rights activists protested outside the appeals court in the central city of Kairouan, as the man known only as "Daniel" appeared before judges on the first day of the hearing.

Daniel, along with five other men, was originally charged in 2015 with "homosexual acts", which is punishable by up to three years in prison in the North African nation.

Some protestors held placards reading "Down with the Article of shame", referring to Article 230 of Tunisia's penal code which punishes consensual homosexual acts, whether between men or women, with up to three years in prison.

What's next for Tunisia after huge election boycott?

Tunisia's massive election boycott has further challenged the legitimacy of President Kais Saied, but a divided and discredited opposition poses little threat to his grip on power, experts say.

Just 11 percent of voters showed up for the elections on Saturday for a parliament stripped of most powers under Saied, who last year launched what critics have labelled a bloodless coup.

On Monday, the electoral board revised the turnout slightly upwards from an earlier figure of nine percent.

- Why was turnout so low? -

President Kais Saied, casting his ballot in Tunis, said the country was 'breaking with those who destroyed' it

Iran says Jordan summit 'good opportunity' for nuclear talks

Iran's foreign minister said Monday that a summit to take place this week in Jordan will be a "good opportunity" for negotiations aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear accord.

On-off talks to revive the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), started in April last year directly between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, and indirectly with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdoulahian pictured in Tehran on December 18

Sudanese forces fire tear gas at rally against post-coup deal

Sudanese security forces fired tear gas Monday at protesters in Khartoum who rallied against a tentative deal aimed at ending the crisis provoked by last year's military coup, AFP correspondents said.

Thousands of pro-democracy activists took to the streets in Sudan's capital to reject the agreement signed by military and civilian leaders on December 5, which critics have dismissed as vague.

"We will not accept anything other than a civilian government," said protestor Samira Hassan.

Sudanese protesters took to the streets Monday against a tentative deal aimed at ending the crisis provoked by last year's military coup

Parents 'beg' Iran judiciary to spare death row son

The parents of a young man who rights group warn is at imminent risk of execution over his involvement in Iran's protest movement issued a video pleading with the judiciary to spare their son's life.

Their appeal for the life of Mehdi Mohammad Karami comes as Amnesty International warns that at last 26 people are at risk of execution over the protests, the biggest challenge to the authorities since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iran sparked global outrage by executing two protesters earlier this month.

The plea for the life of Mehdi Mohammad Karami comes as Amnesty International warns at last 26 people are at risk of execution over the protests

Sweden blocks extradition of journalist sought by Erdogan

Sweden's Supreme Court on Monday blocked the extradition of exiled Turkish journalist Bulent Kenes, a key demand by Ankara to ratify Stockholm's NATO membership.

There were "several hindrances" to sending back the former editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily, who Turkey accuses of being involved in a 2016 attempt to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the court said.

Some of the accusations against Kenes are not crimes in Sweden, which along with the political nature of the case and his refugee status, made extradition impossible, the court added.

Veteran journalist Bulent Kenes said he was pleased with the decision

After World Cup, Qatar seeks Olympic gold

After the World Cup earned Qatar both plaudits and censure, the energy-rich Gulf state is now starting a marathon to secure the 2036 Olympics and a place as a pillar of world sport.

Even as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals and shed tears in Qatar's multi-billion-dollar stadiums, its sports administrators were booking new victories off the pitch.

During the tournament, Qatar was awarded the 2025 world table tennis championships and the opening race of the world endurance championship in 2024, adding to its packed sports calendar.

Two men walk along Doha's Corniche promenade on November 28, 2022 during Qatar 2022 World Cup

Women lack basics in crisis-hit Lebanon's crowded prisons

Nour is raising her four-month-old daughter in Lebanon's most overpopulated women's prison, struggling to get formula and nappies for her baby as the country's economy lies in tatters.

"I don't have enough milk to breastfeed, and baby formula isn't readily available," said the 25-year-old, who was detained eight months ago on drug-related accusations.

"Sometimes my daughter doesn't have formula for three days," she added, as green-eyed Amar wriggled on her lap.

Lebanese authorities have long struggled to care for the more than 8,000 people stuck in the country's jails.

Nour said she and her daughter shared a cell at the Baabda women's prison with another 23 people, including two other babies

Qatar emir says 'exceptional' World Cup delivered to fans

Qatar's ruler said Sunday that the Gulf state had delivered on a vow to hold an "exceptional" World Cup.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who gave Argentina captain Lionel Messi a traditional Arab cloak after his side won the trophy, paid tribute to the finalists and fans in a Twitter statement after the match.

"We have fulfilled our promise to organize an exceptional championship by Arab countries, which provided an opportunity for the people of the world to learn about the richness of our culture and the originality of our values," the emir said.

Honoured: Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani wraps a 'bisht' cloak around Lionel Messi

Qatar's migrant workers wary of life after the World Cup

Rasheed celebrated Argentina's World Cup win singing and dancing with dozens of other South Asian workers with a double landmark on his mind. Sunday was also International Migrants Day.

"Messi, Messi Messi," they chanted in a corner of Souq Waqif, the central market in the Qatari capital Doha where hordes of foreign fans have gathered throughout the World Cup.

Supporters in Doha's Souq Wafiq celebrate Argentina's first goal of the World Cup final