Middle East & North Africa

US Dems in hot water ahead of midterm elections amid Biden’s declining popularity

Tehran, IRNA – Less than a month into midterm elections in the US, President Joe Biden sees his popularity declining and reaching its lowest level since he took office in January 2021, which makes things difficult for the president and his Democratic party even in the 2024 presidential election.

According to a poll recently published by Fox News, only 33% of respondents said they would vote for Biden in the 2024 election, while 54% said they cast ballots for another candidate.

Iran, Turkey reach new agreement on gas export

Tehran, IRNA – The head of dispatching operations at the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), following the recent meeting between The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) officials with Botas, Turkey's state oil and gas company, said on Sunday that Tehran and Ankara have reached a new agreement on gas export contract.

Mohammadreza Joulaei referring to the new agreement said that, according to it, all technical, operational and executive activities of gas export to Turkey, in the next 6 months will be done with the coordination of both sides.

India: Viral video shows Karnataka gov minister assaulting woman

Chamarajanagar (K'taka), Oct 23 (PTI) Karnataka Housing Minister V Somanna was caught up in controversy for allegedly slapping a woman in a village in Gundlupet here when she went with a plea to resolve her grievance.

The minister has not yet reacted to the incident but the woman said Somanna was only consoling her after she tried to prostrate before him with a plea to allot her a government plot.

Saudi crown prince not attending Arab summit on doctors' advice

23 October 2022; MEMO: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend the Arab summit to be held on Nov. 1 in Algeria, in compliance with a doctors' recommendation to avoid travel, the Algerian presidency said in a statement late on Saturday.

Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de-facto ruler, "expressed his regret for not attending the Arab summit", in a phone call with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the statement said.

Lebanon, Syria discuss sea border after Beirut's Israel deal

23 October 2022; MEMO: The Lebanese and Syrian presidents discussed delineating their countries' shared maritime border on Saturday before a visit to Damascus next week by a Lebanese delegation tasked with negotiating the issue, a Lebanese official said, reports Reuters.

A dispute over their shared sea boundary emerged last year after Syria granted a licence to a Russian energy company to begin maritime exploration in an area Lebanon claimed. Several gas discoveries have been made in the eastern Mediterranean.

Abu Dhabi authorities arrest Briton for money laundering under Interpol orders

23 October 2022; MEMO: A British man has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following an international arrest order issued at the request of the French authorities.

According to the Public Prosecution in Abu Dhabi today, it launched an investigation into the case of the British national who was accused of money laundering.

The Emirati authorities' arrest of the Briton was based on a letter sent by the international policing organisation, Interpol, to investigate the individual.

UAE imposes visa ban on Nigeria citizens, rejects applications

23 October 2022; MEMO: The UAE immigration authorities announced on Friday a visa ban on Nigerians looking to enter the country, adding that all submitted applications had been rejected with fees non-refundable.

According to a notice issued to its trading partners in Nigeria which includes travel agents, authorities in the emirate of Dubai declared that "All Dubai applications submitted are now rejected. It is general for Nigerians and approvals are on hold at the moment."

IsraeL Tens of thousands of live bullets stolen from military base

22 October 2022; MEMO: Tens of thousands of live bullets were stolen on Wednesday from the Be'er Sheva Airfield military base in the south of Israel, Israeli media reported on Friday.

Israeli reports stated that the rounds were stolen from the bunker at the base where the Givati ​​Brigade headquarters are located.

According to Israeli media, the military police are investigating the theft and will send the findings to the military attorney's office for examination.

Israel occupation forces, settlers attack Palestinians across occupied West Bank

22 October 2022; MEMO: Israeli occupation forces on Friday attacked Palestinian demonstrations, while Israeli settlers attacked farmers across the occupied West Bank cities, Al-Resalah newspaper reported.

Following Friday prayers, Palestinians rallied at the Israeli military checkpoints of Huwwara, south of Nablus, and Beit Furik, east of Nablus. They also gathered near the Deir Sharaf crossing, which has been closed for 12 days.

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