Khartoum, Asharq Al-Awsat—In the week the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling on all states to renew their commitment to prevent genocide, a former UN spokesperson renewed accusations that the international body “covered up” human rights violations in Darfur. In a broad-rang
Amid all the uncertainty and confusion that accompanies the social changes most Arab societies are currently experiencing, there is one clear fact that must be courageously acknowledged: Arab constitutions today are in need of fundamental revisions to bring them in line with international standards
Khartoum, Asharq Al-Awsat—As Sudan’s embattled President Omar Al-Bashir continues to meet with opposition figures as part of a national dialogue, National Umma Party leader Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi threatened a “popular uprising” if Khartoum does not take the talks seriously. Asharq Al-Aw
President Rouhani was in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan in southeastern Iran on April 15. To the cheering crowds who met him, he proclaimed: “We don’t have second-class citizens; all Iranians are equal.” Rouhani thanked local Sunni and Shi’ite leaders and the people of Sistan and Baluchistan
Jerusalem, AP—The dark hall inside Christianity’s holiest shrine was illuminated with the flames from thousands of candles on Saturday as worshippers participated in the holy fire ceremony, a momentous spiritual event in Orthodox Easter rites. Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and
Dhi Qar, Iraq, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Iraqi government has suspended the execution of non-Iraqi Arab prisoners in a step aimed at preventing a backlash against Iraqi nationals abroad, Justice Minister Hassan Al-Shammari said on Friday. In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Shammari said: “Carrying out these
Istanbul, Asharq Al-Awsat—It was only 10 o’clock on a Monday morning, but tempers were already rising. A scrum of men pushed forward towards the glass-paned desk, waving white papers and calling out names in the hope of grabbing the attention of one of the stressed-looking members of staff. “It’s li
Islamabad, Reuters—Four French journalists held hostage in Syria since June were found by Turkish soldiers on its border with Syria on Saturday, Turkish media reported, and French President François Hollande said the four were in good health. Nicolas Hénin, Pierre Torres, Édouard Élias and Didier Fr
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Egypt’s presidential race took a step forward on Saturday as Nasserite presidential hopeful Hamdeen Sabahi officially submitted his candidacy to the Presidential Elections Commission, making him the second candidate on the ballot for the elections scheduled for late May. Saba
Mokpo, South Korea, AP—The captain of the ferry that sank off South Korea, leaving more than 300 missing or dead, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need. Two crew members also were taken into custody, including a rookie third mate who a prosecutor said was ste
Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraq’s Shi’ite community remained divided this week ahead of nationwide elections on April 30 after Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Hussein Ismail Al-Sadr criticized a controversial fatwa banning the election of secular candidates. Kazem Al-Haeri, a prominent Iranian-born Grand Ayatol
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—In his latest book, A Rare Blue Bird that Flies with Me, Moroccan writer Youssef Fadel takes the reader on a vividly imaginative odyssey through a dreary period of Morocco’s history. Fadel’s ninth novel is a fictional testament to the Years of Lead in the 1970s and 1980s, whi
Does the understanding that has crystallized between Washington and Tehran over jihadist groups neglect to take into consideration Iran’s regional expansion? Yes, because the stated enmity between the two countries is not deeply ingrained, nor does it form an obstacle to cooperation between th
Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, the Shi’a Islamist authorities in Tehran have gone to great lengths to carry the banner of the Islamic world. The trouble has so often been that other Islamist movements have either been reluctant to, or have simply rejected, any aspir
Dubai, Asharq Al-Awsat—Ivanka Trump is currently the executive vice-president of development and acquisitions at real estate, hospitality and entertainment conglomerate the Trump Organization, which is headed and was founded by her father, US businessman and host of American TV show The Apprentice D
Algeria, AP—President Abdelaziz Bouteflika won a fourth term in office with a landslide 81 percent of the vote, according to preliminary figures announced Friday by the Algerian government. His chief opponent, Ali Benflis, who garnered only 12 percent of the vote, said the election Thursday was mark
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—Fighting between opposition forces and government troops continued in Homs on Friday amid international fears of dangerous repercussions on civilians after a deal to allow civilians to leave the besieged town broke down. Joint UN–Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi called on bo
Moscow, Reuters—Russia’s Vimpelcom has resolved a long-running dispute with the Algerian government by selling it a majority stake in the country’s biggest telecoms operator for 2.6 billion US dollars, while it will keep control and slash debt. Orascom Telecom Algeria, also known as Djez
Donetsk, AP—Dashing hopes of progress raised by a diplomatic deal in Geneva, pro-Russian insurgents who have occupied government buildings in more than 10 Ukrainian cities said Friday they will not leave them until the country’s interim government resigns. Denis Pushilin of the self-appointed
Jeddah and Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Fears surrounding the MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia are on the rise following the announcement earlier this week that the death toll has reached 71, while Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) cases have also been reported in the UAE and other Gulf states. The Sa
