Tribunal probing journalist slayings opens in The Hague
.A “people’s tribunal” has opened in the Netherlands to highlight the number of journalists around the world who were killed for doing their jobs. The tribunal, convened by a group of press freedom organizations, has no powers to sanction perpetrators. Instead, it plans to present evidence to raise awareness about journalists targeted to silence their reporting. The first hearing took place on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, an observance declared by the...
Sticky bombs latest weapon in Afghanistan's arsenal of war
Sticky bombs slapped onto cars trapped in Kabuls chaotic traffic are the newest weapons terrorizing Afghans in the increasingly lawless nation. But in the meantime violence is escalating and taking the occasional new twist, such as the sticky bombs. But the heavy use of sticky bombs is relatively new, said former interior minister Masoud Andarabi. Typically, sticky bombs consist of explosives packed in a small box, a magnet attached to the box and a mobile phone. Abdul Sami, 30, was accused of putting sticky bombs inside newly repaired vehicles.
Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with Qatar
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters after the summit that diplomatic relations would be restored in full with Qatar, although no time frame was given. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are primarily concerned about Qatar’s ties with Iran. The rift between Abu Dhabi and Doha has been deepest, with the UAE and Qatar at sharp ideological odds. Egypt’s foreign minister also attended the meeting of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Qatar's only land border with Saudi Arabia, which it relied on for the import of dairy products, construction materials and other goods, has been mostly closed since June 2017.
Ex-Tunisian presidential candidate jailed in financial case
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 file photo, Tunisian media mogul Nabil Karoui casts his ballot at a polling station during the second round of the presidential election, in Tunis, Tunisia. Former Tunisian presidential candidate and media mogul Nabil Karoui was arrested Thursday, Dec. 24 on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)TUNIS – Former Tunisian presidential candidate and media mogul Nabil Karoui has been arrested on charges of money laundering and tax evasion, a Tunis court spokesman said on Thursday. A judge in charge of financial cases ordered him jailed again on Thursday, said a Tunis court spokesman Mohsen Dali. Karoui, a populist media mogul, founded Nessma TV and heads the Qalb Tunis party, the second-largest party in parliament.
Beirut residents determined to save heritage lost to blast
We love the project, we love Beirut and we love Lebanon and thats what we are.The day of the blast, Debs was at the house. Naji Raji, an activist and spokesman for Save Beirut Heritage, said the blast damaged more than 600 historic buildings in Beirut, of which about 40 are at risk of collapse. Raji said some estimates put the cost of renovating old buildings at about $300 million. The renovation work is being carried out by the Beirut Heritage Initiative, a coalition that includes among others the U.N. culture agency UNESCO, the French embassy and the architects syndicate, Raji said. Since the blast occurred there have been reports of middlemen scouting destroyed neighborhoods and making offers to buy old buildings.
Rights groups sound alarm on jump in Iraqi activist killings
BASRA Human rights monitors sounded the alarm over a recent spike in assassinations targeting civil rights activists in Iraq's south on Thursday, ahead of a much anticipated meeting between the prime minister and the U.S. president as part of ongoing strategic talks. Hundreds died as Iraqi forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds. Activist Tahseen Osama was killed Friday, prompting dozens to take to the streets and block roads. That represents a jump as the commission recorded 16 attempted targeted killings in the 10 months after the uprising started in October. Following a meeting in Washington with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that armed groups outside of state control have impeded our progress."
Netanyahu says UAE deal signals end to 'land for peace'
Israel and the UAE announced Thursday they were establishing full diplomatic relations in a U.S.-brokered deal that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians. Netanyahu has insisted the annexation plans are only on temporary hold at the request of the United States. Netanyahu also reiterated Sunday his interpretation of the UAE deal: that annexation was only being suspended and that it was still on the table, so long as it was done in coordination with Washington. UAE officials have indicated that the deal means annexation has been shelved entirely. After President Donald Trump released his Mideast plan earlier this year, which was favorable to Israel, Netanyahu said he would forge ahead with annexing parts of the West Bank.
Last batch of joint aid lands in Yemen amid UN funding cuts
In this Wednesday, June 17, 2020, workers unload boxes of medical supplies on arrival at Sanaa International Airport in Sanaa, Yemen. A U.N. humanitarian appeal for Yemen this month fell $1 billion short of what aid agencies needed. The World Food Program had to cut rations in half and U.N.-funded health services were reduced in nearly 200 hospitals nationwide. The Hayel Saeed Anam Foundation, a Yemeni-owned conglomerate, helped create the International Initiative on COVID-19 in Yemen. Its an unusual effort to bring crisis-stricken Yemen back from the brink of further disaster, as the virus overwhelms Yemen's hospitals.