Iraqi lawmakers were Wednesday set to try for a third time to elect a new national president after two previous attempts failed because of boycotts by a Shiite Muslim coalition.

Half a year after October 2021 legislative elections, Iraq still does not have a new president or prime minister, keeping the war-scarred country in a state of political paralysis.

Parliamentarians must first elect the head of state, by convention a member of the Kurdish minority, with a two thirds majority. The president then appoints the head of government, a post now held by Mustafa al-Kadhemi.

Russia's Ukraine invasion, which has already exacerbated food woes in parts of Africa and the Middle East, is marring preparations for the holy month of Ramadan and forcing a turn to frugal iftar sunset meals.

From Lebanon to Tunisia and Somalia, Muslims who traditionally break a dawn-to-dusk fast with lavish family meals, are now struggling to secure even the most basic staples in light of skyrocketing food and fuel prices.

The trial of an Islamic State fighter accused of belonging to a notorious kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" began in earnest Wednesday near Washington, with his defense claiming he had been mistakenly identified.

El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, is accused of involvement in the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

They were among at least 27 people abducted in Syria between 2012 and 2015 by a four-member cell dubbed the "Beatles" by its captives due to the jihadists' British accents.

El Shafee Elsheikh studied mechanical engineering in London, but now faces accusations he was a member of the notorious Islamic State kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles."

Elsheikh is on trial in federal court in Alexandria for the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and relief workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

The Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government against Huthi rebels in Yemen's conflict Tuesday announced a ceasefire from Wednesday morning and peace talks during the Islamic month of Ramadan starting next month.

"The coalition hereby announces the cessation of military operations in Yemen beginning at 0600 am (0300 GMT) Wednesday, March 30, 2022," it said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

Greek Orthodox Church leaders on Tuesday denounced what they called the "illegal" takeover by Israeli "extremists" of a Jerusalem hostel operated by Palestinians.

It said members of the settler organisation Ateret Cohanim broke into the east Jerusalem property on Sunday, in addition to a neighbouring money change shop, and received Israeli police protection despite possessing no eviction notice.

Israelis on Wednesday mourned five people killed by a Palestinian gunman, the third deadly attack in a week, as Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned of a "wave of murderous Arab terrorism".

"The pain is great," Bennett wrote on Twitter as several victims were laid to rest, police forces were placed on the highest alert and the army said it would deploy extra units in and around the West Bank.

Former hostages and relatives of victims are seeking justice, accountability and perhaps even some solace as the trial of a member of the brutal Islamic State (IS) kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" gets underway.

Jury selection began on Tuesday in the trial of El Shafee Elsheikh, accused of involvement in the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and relief workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

Shareholders in Swedish telecom giant Ericsson on Tuesday sanctioned the company's board and chief executive over its handling of a corruption scandal involving possible payments to the Islamic State group in Iraq.

Shareholders representing more than the required 10 percent voted against discharging the board and CEO Borje Ekholm from liabilities, a normally routine decision, at the company's annual general meeting.

Both Ekholm and the board were nonetheless re-elected to their positions.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday met Jordan's King Abdullah II on a mission to Amman seeking to ensure calm in the Palestinian territories during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Tensions flared last year during the fasting month, which starts in April, between Israeli forces and Palestinians visiting Al-Aqsa mosque in annexed east Jerusalem, leading to 11 days of conflict between Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas which rules Gaza.