Hamas official says it rejects new US Gaza ceasefire plan backed by Israel

Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon, stated in a CNN interview that normalization of relations with Israel hinges on a two-state solution that includes a Palestinian state. He emphasized that Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories is essential for peace and normalization. Salam also criticized Israel's presence in southern Lebanon as a barrier to Lebanese sovereignty and called for US pressure on Israel to withdraw from established outposts, asserting that real peace with Israel is contingent...

SummaryTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is strengthening Turkey's regional influence while opposing Israel, recently hosting Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, who thanked Erdogan for support in lifting sanctions against Syria. This support enhances Sharaa's governance and Turkey's military infrastructure in Syria, framed as a fight against ISIS despite past cooperation. Additionally, Turkey is witnessing potential progress on the Kurdish front with the PKK's disarmament announcement, while Erdogan's political suppression at home goes largely unnoticed by...

Are we witnessing the fall of the Hezbollah state?Nida Al Watan, Lebanon, May 23The Hezbollah state, an extension of Iran's influence in Lebanon, has dismantled national order and created a "society without a state," characterized by violence and control. Amid its military and financial decline, there is a call for a new political and cultural framework within the Shi’ite community to reclaim the Lebanese state, integrating modernity with Shi’ite thought. Scholars like Muhammad Hasan al-Amin...

Thousands of Afghans protested nationwide on Friday against Israel's actions in Gaza, responding to a call from Taliban authorities, with demonstrators gathering in multiple cities after prayers, waving Palestinian flags and burning images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Taliban Prime Minister Hassan Akhund condemned Israel's actions as "genocide," emphasizing the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the severe impact of the blockade on Gazans, who face famine risks. The Taliban government, which remains internationally unrecognized, continues...

The United Arab Emirates, a significant oil exporter, has initiated mandatory emissions monitoring for companies under a new climate change law, marking a first for the Middle East. Greenpeace praised this "bold leap toward regional climate leadership," as companies must now report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, facing fines up to two million dirhams ($545,000) for non-compliance. While the UAE aims for net-zero domestic carbon emissions by 2050 and has committed to a 47% reduction...

In a small Moroccan coastal village, women engage in collaborative textile art at a workshop founded by Margaux Derhy, providing them with employment and a platform to showcase their work internationally. With only 19% of Moroccan women in steady jobs, this initiative has empowered local women, helping to challenge societal norms and improve their livelihoods, as expressed by participants like Hanane Ichbikili and Aicha Jout. The workshop not only fosters creativity through collaborative embroidery but...