Middle East & North Africa

DUBAI, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Hardline President Ebrahim Raisi planned a television address to the nation on Wednesday amid a tide of anti-government unrest in Iran, with protesters chanting "death to the dictator" after the death of a young woman in police custody.

Despite a growing death toll and a fierce crackdown by security forces using tear gas, clubs, and in some cases, live ammunition, social media videos showed Iranians persisting with protests, often calling for the end of the Islamic clerical establishment's more than four decades in power.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Supporters of Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr attempted to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone government area Wednesday as the Iraqi parliament held session on the resignation of its speaker.

Associated Press journalists saw those supporting al-Sadr waving flags as security forces gathered around them. They managed to break through a security barrier on a bridge leading to the heavily fortified zone but got no farther.

CAIRO (AP) — The U.N. envoy for Yemen warned that the risk of a return to fighting “is real,” urging warring parties to accept a longer extension of the current ceasefire due to expire next month.

Hans Grundberg’s stark warning late Tuesday came after he met in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, with Rashad al-Alimi, head of the internationally recognized presidential council, and in Oman’s capital of Muscat with Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the chief negotiator of the Houthi rebels. He also met with Saudi and Omani officials to push for a cease-fire extension.

JENIN REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) — At least four Palestinians were killed and 44 wounded during an Israeli military raid Wednesday into the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported, marking the deadliest episode since Israel escalated a crackdown on the occupied territory earlier this year.

27 Sep 2022; MEMO: Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki warned yesterday of a new "Egyptian scenario" with the "deep state preparing to oust President Kais Saied and replace him with someone worse."

27 Sep 2022; MEMO: Egypt has launched a pilot programme to teach the Chinese language at 12 public middle schools across three governorates in the upcoming 2022/2023 academic year, the Deputy Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Megahed said.

Megahed made the announcement yesterday during a launch ceremony at the Confucius Institute of Cairo University.

27 Sep 2022; MEMO: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and the cyber institute led by one of his closest aides, Saud Al-Qahtani, signed a deal in early 2018 with the former head of the US National Security Agency, Keith Alexander, to help the Kingdom's de facto ruler train the next generation of Saudi hackers to take on its enemies, the Intercept reported yesterday.

27 Sep 2022; MEMO: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a new online platform yesterday to help facilitate the arrival of pilgrims and to assist them with religious rituals when visiting the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

According to Arab News, Nusuk enables visitors from all over the world to organise their pilgrimage, including the eVisa applications and booking flights and accommodation.

27 Sep 2022; MEMO: Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra yesterday expressed his country's support for granting Palestine full membership at the United Nations General Assembly, seconding the request made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last week. Palestine currently holds Observer Status.

Addressing the Palestinian question "is the main key to restoring security and stability in the Middle East,"  Lamamra said in New York during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

27 Sep 2022; MEMO: Israeli authorities asked settlers to carry arms during the festive period that began yesterday, local TV channel Kan reported on Sunday.

According to the national broadcaster, authorities recommended that Jewish worshippers carry personal weapons during the Jewish holidays and while in places of worship.