TUNIS, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Activists and opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied took to the streets of Tunis on Thursday, calling for his departure and the restoration of democracy in the latest protest against his governance amid growing political and economic discontent.

Hundreds of protesters said they reject "one-man rule" and "a slide towards dictatorship," and urged the release of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists.

The integration of the Kurdish administration within Syria's state institutions is now complete, Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi said on Thursday, marking the end of the Kurds' long-held dream of autonomy.

The announcement follows months of negotiations between the two sides after a January agreement that called for the full integration of Kurdish civil and military institutions into the state -- a move Washington deemed "historic".

Hundreds of Tunisians on Thursday demonstrated in the capital against President Kais Saied and issues including power cuts and drinking water shortages.

Protesters held up signs complaining of "thirst" and "darkness", in reference to an ongoing scarcity of drinking water and major electricity outages as the country grapples with high temperatures.

"Today, the Tunisian people are living in humiliation," former lawmaker Samir Ben Amor told AFP. "There's no water, no electricity, and no freedom."

By Daphne Psaledakis and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday issued fresh sanctions targeting Lebanon's Hezbollah, including re-designating it over actions on behalf of the Iranian government, according to a statement seen by Reuters.

The Treasury Department redesignated the group "for service to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force," according to the statement.

The grandmother of Hind Rajab told AFP her family had no faith in a criminal probe into the five-year-old's death in Gaza in 2024, calling it little more than an attempt by the Israeli military to "justify" her killing.

Hind Rajab's body was recovered from a car riddled with bullets in Gaza City days after she was last heard from in a desperate, hours-long phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent on January 29, 2024.

Her death sparked international outrage and calls for an independent investigation.

By Douglas Gillison

WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - More than 150 wallets on Polymarket International may have traded on inside U.S. military information, attracting copycat bets and raising concerns that the market could broadcast signals exploitable by foreign adversaries, according to research published on Thursday.

The analysis by the nonprofit research group Anti-Corruption Data Collective, first reported by Reuters, sheds new light on likely military insider trading on the prediction market and the broader risks such activity may pose.

DUBAI, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose unprecedented economic warfare and isolation on Iran could have implications for countries that trade with it. Trump warned of economic consequences for any country that supports Iran.

Here are some of Iran's main trading partners in recent years:

CHINA

China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, could face additional pressures from the U.S. over its purchases if Trump follows through on his promise.

ANKARA, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Turkey, Egypt and Qatar, which have been trying to mediate an end to the Gaza conflict, condemned recent Israeli strikes in the Palestinian enclave, urging Israel to meet its ceasefire obligations and avoid steps that could escalate tension.

Their joint statement followed Israeli strikes that have killed at least 16 Palestinians in Gaza since Tuesday, according to medics; Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants. U.S. envoy Jared Kushner wrapped up a regional visit on Monday without advancing President Donald Trump's plan to end the war.

The UAE this week announced it was suspending trade with Iran, heaping pressure on its major trading partner at the same time that the US declared "economic warfare" on Tehran.

It is unclear when the suspension came into place or exactly what prompted it, with the UAE only citing "regional escalations".

Barcelona have signed defender Joao Cancelo on a free transfer, the Spanish champions said Thursday.

"The full-back arrives as a free agent and signs on until June 30, 2029," said Barca in a statement.

Portugal international Cancelo terminated his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in order to return to Camp Nou.

The 32-year-old has previously spent two loan spells with Barca, including in the second half of last season, helping Hansi Flick's side retain La Liga.