Middle East & North Africa

Iran's policy on enemies, friends always transparent: Judiciary chief

Tehran, IRNA – Islamic Republic of Iran’s Judiciary Chief highlighted here on Sunday the country has always adopted a transparent policy toward enemies and friends.

Nothing has been concealed from people, Hojjatoleslam Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei said at the first national conference on transparency in Tehran this morning.

Israel: Netanyahu gets extra 10 days to complete coalition government formation

10 Dec 2022; MEMO: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday granted Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu an additional ten days to complete the formation of the right-wing coalition government, Israeli media reported.

The Times of Israel reported that Herzog was concerned that the coalition assembled by Netanyahu would be the most right-wing in Israeli history.

Three Yemeni Soldiers Killed, Eight Wounded In Gunmen Ambush

ADEN, Dec 10 (NNN-YPA) – Three soldiers of the Yemeni government forces were killed and eight others injured yesterday, by unidentified gunmen, who ambushed their convoy, in the country’s south-eastern province of Hadramout.

The gunmen, suspected of belonging to terror groups, ambushed the soldiers in the Al Abr District of Hadramout, a local security source said.

He noted, the ambush targeted a convoy of newly-recruited government troops, backed by Saudi Arabia in the turbulent district.

China's Xi calls for oil trade in yuan at Gulf summit in Riyadh

RIYADH, Dec 9 (Reuters) - President Xi Jinping told Gulf Arab leaders on Friday that China would work to buy oil and gas in yuan, a move that would support Beijing's goal to establish its currency internationally and weaken the U.S. dollar's grip on world trade.

Xi was speaking in Saudi Arabia where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted two "milestone" Arab summits with the Chinese leader which showcased the powerful prince's regional heft as he courts partnerships beyond close historic ties with the West.

QATAR: Ronaldo benched against Morocco in World Cup quarterfinals

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped from Portugal’s starting lineup for the second straight match at the World Cup.

The 37-year-old Ronaldo won’t play from the outset in the quarterfinal match against Morocco on Saturday, after starting on the bench and then coming on as a substitute for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland.

Gonçalo Ramos, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday in Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland on his first start for Portugal, was again selected ahead of Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is playing in his fifth and likely final World Cup.

EXPLAINER: What’s at stake in Turkey’s new Syria escalation

BEIRUT (AP) — After weeks of deadly Turkish airstrikes in northern Syria, Kurdish forces and international players are trying to gauge whether Ankara’s threats of a ground invasion are serious.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly warned of a new land incursion to drive Kurdish groups away from the Turkish-Syrian border, following a deadly Nov. 13 bombing in Istanbul. Turkish authorities blamed the attack on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and on the Syria-based People’s Protection Units, or YPG. Both have denied involvement.

Netanyahu's government 'most extreme, crazy' in Israel history; Lapid

9 Dec 2022; MEMO: The incoming government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is shaping up to be the "most extreme and crazy" in Israel's history, outgoing Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, warned on Friday, Anadolu News Agency reports.

"Netanyahu is weak and his partners are younger, more determined and more extreme than him, and have subdued him unconditionally," Lapid said on Twitter.

He vowed to continue "fighting for our beloved country, for our democracy, for our soldiers, for the future of our children."

US soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies at World Cup

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, died Saturday while covering a World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. He was 48.

Wahl fell back in his seat in a section of Lusail Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time of the game, and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance.

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