Archives for May, 2023

Lionel Messi has apologised after travelling to Saudi Arabia without PSG's authorisation and being suspended by the French club

Messi says 'sorry' for Saudi trip after being suspended by PSG

Agence France-Presse

Turkey youth

Turkey’s first-time voters rally around opposition in crucial polls

Many of the five million first-time voters, who have never seen a Turkey without President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 20 years of rule, express hope for a change in the crucial twin polls on May 14.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu

Analysis

Turkey Elections: A Kilicdaroglu election win could overhaul Syria policy

The opposition leader is seen as someone who would have more clout at the negotiating table with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, especially on migration and security issues in northern Syria.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

People walk past a campaign vehicle carrying a picture of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a busy shopping district on May 03, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. Persistently high inflation has led to a cost-of-living crisis in Turkey that has hurt President Erdogan's popularity ahead of the March 14 presidential election. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Turkey: In final elections stretch, Istanbul gears up for mega-rallies

With only days to go until Turkey’s crucial elections, Erdogan and his top rival will rally their supporters in the country’s largest metropolis.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (R) in Kyiv on May 5,2023

Bahrain FM Zayani takes shelter during Ukraine visit amid Russia's bombing

A senior diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that Zayani “experienced the shelter life” in Kyiv on Wednesday and Thursday nights, a reference to the bomb shelters used by Ukraine to protect from Russian bombing.

A mass of hot, dry warm air from North Africa reached the Iberian peninsula early last week, driving temperatures to record highs for April

April heat in western Med 'almost impossible without climate change'

Agence France-Presse

A demonstrator looks at placards depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (L).

Analysis

Israel’s Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir in open war over Gaza escalation

Against the backdrop of Gaza tensions and in the most serious dispute so far within the Netanyahu government, the Likud party and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir exchanged threats in the media.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Britain's Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis (R) praised King Charles III for allowing him to attend the coronation without breaking Shabbat rules

King Charles helps chief rabbi respect Shabbat at coronation

Agence France-Presse

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) speaks with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Damascus on May 3, 2023. - Raisi congratulated al-Assad on May 3 for "achieving victory" in the country's 12-year-long civil war, in which Tehran has been a major ally. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria, Iran expand agreements, praise China after Assad-Raisi meeting

Syria and Iran signed a number of agreements during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s historic visit and Raisi invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to visit Iran.

Retired servicemen try to remove the barbed wire barricade outside Lebanon's central bank during a demonstration demanding inflation-adjustments to their pensions in Beirut on March 30, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's finance minister questioned by European investigators

In a first, Lebanese Finance Minster Youssef Khalil was questioned today in the case against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and his brother, who are accused of embezzlement.

Merchants on Iran's Qeshm island, some 150 kilometres (93 miles) from the United Arab Emirates' commercial hub Dubai, are closely watching regional shifts since Tehran's March deal with Saudi Arabia

Iran islanders hope to cash in on Gulf's shifting geopolitics

Agence France-Presse

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi prays at the holy shrine of Sayyida Zaynab in the southern suburbs of Damascus during two-day visit to Syria

Iran, Syria vow to strengthen ties as Raisi wraps up Damascus visit

Agence France-Presse

Smoke billows above buildings behind a mosque during fighting in Khartoum

Sudan fighting rages even as army sends envoys for ceasefire talks

Agence France-Presse

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (c)accompanied by the Chief of General Staff of the Israeli army Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi (R) visits an Israeli military base near the city of Petah Tikva, on January 30 2019. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

US watchful for surprise Israeli attack on Iran as nuclear crisis intensifies

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu taking Israel’s security hostage over his sour relations with the White House, Washington is no longer sure what to expect from Israel on Iran.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey Elections: Israel never saw Erdogan as an ally, unsure about Kilicdaroglu

Turkey’s opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu had made several anti-Israel statements in the past, but might adopt a more pragmatic attitude toward Israel if he wins the election.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he will pursue "very tangible initiatives" on his trip to Saudi Arabia

US national security advisor to visit Saudi Arabia

Agence France-Presse