Middle East & North Africa

CAIRO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Egypt began on Saturday the second stage of the parliamentary elections in 13 out of the country's 27 provinces, including the capital Cairo, Suez, Port Said, Ismailia, North Sinai and South Sinai.

Out of the total 63 million eligible voters in Egypt, more than 31 million are entitled to cast their ballots in the two-day second and last stage to elect their representatives in the country's legislative body, or the House of Representatives.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates announced on Saturday a major overhaul of the country’s Islamic personal laws, allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate, loosening alcohol restrictions and criminalizing so-called “honor killings.”

The broadening of personal freedoms reflects the changing profile of a country that has sought to bill itself as a Westernized destination for tourists, fortune-seekers and businesses despite its Islamic legal code that has previously triggered court cases against foreigners and outrage in their home countries.

BEIRUT, Nov 7 (NNN-NNA) – Hezbollah condemned U.S. sanctions against former Lebanese Foreign Minister, Gebran Bassil, over corruption allegations and his close ties with Hezbollah.

“This is a pure political decision and a blatant interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon,” said Hezbollah, a major Shiite political party in Lebanon.

“America is using its domestic laws, including anti-terrorism and anti-corruption laws, to extend its hegemony and influence over the world.”

ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan fired central bank governor Murat Uysal on Saturday and replaced him with ex-finance minister Naci Agbal, acting after a 30% plunge in the lira currency’s value to record lows this year.

The decision to replace Murat Uysal gives Turkey its fourth central bank governor in five years and could stoke longstanding criticism about political interference in monetary policy.

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Saudi Arabia has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with international tech companies, including IBM, Huawei and Alibaba covering artificial intelligence (AI).

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Israeli settlers invaded the Sebastia archaeological site in the northern West Bank city of Nablus for the second day in a row, reported Wafa news agency.

The archaeological area has been closed to Palestinians after hundreds of Israeli settlers accompanied by soldiers invaded the Palestinian town, said the Mayor of Sebastia, Mohammad Azem.

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Turkey is ready to work with whoever wins the US election, two top Turkish officials said on Friday, despite a friendship with President Donald Trump that has helped the two countries through turbulent times, Reuters reports.

“Regardless of which candidate takes office in the US, we will pursue a sincere approach to improve our relations,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Moroccan and British military officials yesterday discussed the security situation in the Mediterranean and Sahel regions during a meeting in the capital Rabat amid plans to strengthen defence ties.

Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita received the British Minister of the Armed Forces James Heappey who was accompanied by the British Ambassador to Morocco Simon Martin and the UK’s Defence Senior Adviser for the Middle East, Lieutenant General John Lorimer.

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Sudan’s eastern al-Qadarif state closed its border Friday with Ethiopia amid heightened tensions in the Tigray region, according to local media, Anadolu Agency reports.

Clashes are ongoing between the Ethiopian army and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the region’s ruling party.

Sudan’s army has deployed reinforcements at the border to stop any potential infiltration of fighters into the country.

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Maher Al-Akhras, a Palestinian prisoner, ended his hunger strike on Friday after 103 days, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society confirmed his decision in an official statement saying the Israeli jail authorities will release him on Nov. 26.