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geopolitical · geopolitical

Slain seeking cooking gas, Gaza goalkeeper Saleem al-Ashqar joins more than 1,000 Palestinian athletes killed in war.

military · geopolitical

Inside the UAE-backed RSF siege of Sudan's el-Obeid Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 14:34 'The suffering endured by the citizens of el-Obeid due to the war is beyond comprehension,' one resident says, after weeks of drone strikes The aftermath of a drone strike on el-Obeid, Sudan, targeting a gas station in the city centre on 21 June 2026, and resulting in civilian casualties (MEE) Off On Friday morning, Abdullah, a lawyer in the Sudanese city of el-Obeid, had a moment of peace to reflect on two weeks of drone strikes and over three years of war. “The suffering endured by the citizens of el-Obeid due to the war is beyond comprehension,” he told Middle East Eye. “Loss of life, hunger, and insecurity perfectly reflect the catastrophes caused by the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces ,” he said. “These forces continue to bombard civilians, vital and strategic centres, service facilities, and the very foundations of life, aiming to displace citizens and force them from their lands and cities.” As Abdullah and other residents of North Kordofan’s capital spoke to MEE, the UN Human Rights Council was holding an urgent debate on the situation in Sudan , with the paramilitary RSF, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, besieging el-Obeid from the west, north and south. People in the strategically vital city, which sits at the intersection of several roads connecting the capital Khartoum to Kordofan and Darfur, the RSF’s stronghold in western Sudan, have lived with the fear of an RSF takeover for much of the war . Almost 600,000 people are now living in el-Obeid, including more than 105,000 who have sought refuge in the city after fleeing violence and famine elsewhere. Shortly after the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF began in April 2023, el-Obeid became a contested site, with the SAF’s 5th Infantry Division continuing to maintain its headquarters in the city. 'Everyone here knows that the UAE supports the RSF' - Abdullah, lawyer in el-Obeid In the last three weeks, the RSF, whose fighters are present in the surrounding countryside and in the town of Barah, about 30km north of el-Obeid, has launched a wave of intense drone strikes targeting petrol stations and oil tankers. The main electricity substation, water facilities, the main market and fuel depots have all been hit. Civilians have been killed and injured. The price of basic goods has shot up. Satellite imagery analysed by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has shown visible damage “consistent with intentional bombardment of civilian infrastructure for the sustainment of life”. Between 25 May and 25 June, “at least eight gas stations in el-Obeid have sustained targeted damage consistent with bombardment”, the HRL said in a report earlier this week. The satellite imagery analysis has also shown that the Sudanese army has established at least 14 checkpoints and a 51-kilometre network of defensive berms and trenches around el-Obeid. 🚨New Report 🚨 @HRL_YaleSPH confirms damage to power stations and gas stations that threaten El Obeid's ability to produce clean water visible in recent satellite imagery. 700 new IDP tents are visible in a 1-month period in El Obeid's main IDP Camp. #KeepEyesOnSudan … pic.twitter.com/YwvZn8djBO — Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at YSPH (@HRL_YaleSPH) June 30, 2026 International powers, including the UK and US, have issued dire warnings about the situation in North Kordofan, but have not publicly called out the role played by the UAE in supporting and supplying the RSF, which is widely accused of committing genocide across Darfur, where it has massacred tens of thousands of civilians. The Emirati foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The UAE continues to deny backing the RSF. “Everyone here knows that the UAE supports the RSF,” Abdullah said, of how the people of el-Obeid view the situation. RSF drone strikes hit vital infrastructure On 18 June, RSF drones targeted al-Abyad power substation, which serves as the primary electricity hub for el-Obeid. The bombing caused significant damage and resulted in power outages across the city. “This blackout exacerbated existing crises, disrupting water supplies and forcing many hospitals to shut down,” Abdullah said. “City residents are facing severe water shortages due to the complete cessation of public water sources. The city is now reliant on internal wells and water tankers transporting water from outside the city.” People queue for drinking water in el-Obeid, Sudan, 22 June 2026 (MEE) Abdullah said that until the middle of this week, RSF drones were attacking the city at a rate of two to six strikes per day. “They targeted vital centres and the necessities of life in the city: the army command, combat vehicles, fuel tankers, drinking water and sewage trucks.” He also said civilian homes had been hit, as well as trucks on the national road linking el-Obeid to the rest of the country. “Many trucks, tankers and vehicles were burned on the road because of the drones,” Abdullah said. A large proportion of the city’s fuel pumps are now out of service. They have also been shut down due to the constant presence of drones within the city’s airspace, following orders from military intelligence in el-Obeid. 'This blackout exacerbated existing crises, disrupting water supplies and forcing many hospitals to shut down' - Abdullah, el-Obeid resident Because drone attacks have targeted cargo trucks on the national highway into el-Obeid – and because of the lack of fuel – the movement of goods into the city has been severely hampered, with the price of food, bread and medicine shooting up as a result. “The fuel shortage has led to a deterioration of the situation in the city, bringing public transportation to a standstill,” another source in the city, who could not be named, said. The price of transport has skyrocketed. “A four-gallon can of fuel can now cost 800,000 pounds or more ($1,332). Travel fares to local areas and other states have also increased and are expected to rise further as the crisis continues.” The price of a barrel of water has quadrupled from 5,000 to 25,000 Sudanese pounds ($8-41), and a jerrycan of water now costs 3,000 pounds. “This water is brackish and unfit for drinking,” Abdullah said, with other residents confirming that it was very hard to find clean drinking water. The water tankers, which used to transport potable water from sources outside the city, are no longer operation because of the drone attacks. Parents in el-Obeid are afraid to send their children to school. Schools are still open, but when parents hear the bombing, they go to collect their children from school, just so they know they are safe. Is the army and government doing enough? Despite the drone strikes and the nearby presence of the RSF, “the city is not in general afraid of attack from the Rapid Support Forces,” Abdullah said. “They are lying. They can’t attack the city because the army is here, and they are still strong. Because of that, the RSF is bombing us by air because we don’t have air defences. “Regardless of the military situation, the RSF militia continues to target and kill civilians, while the government army continues to defend them,” Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, advisor to Sudan’s army-backed Transitional Sovereignty Council, told MEE. “At present, government control of el-Obeid is the only barrier preventing a repeat of the massacres witnessed in el-Fasher as the RSF advanced on the city.” How the UAE continued supporting Sudan's RSF through Haftar and Libya Read More » In October last year, the RSF captured el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, raping, killing and extorting thousands of civilians in the process. For months, international governments had been warned of this possibility, but no action was taken. “We feel as though the SAF is protecting us, but we also feel like it’s not enough,” Abdullah said of how citizens in el-Obeid view the army. “For a long time, we are seeing these drones that are bombing everywhere, and the army can’t do anything about it. People feel disappointed about that.” Civilians in the city regularly ask soldiers why they can’t be protected from the bombing and complain about a lack of air defence and protection. “Were it not for the humanitarian organisations and the services they provide to the displaced people, the situation would have exploded long ago,” Abdullah said. “The city and state governments are completely incapable of providing security and safety for the citizens, protecting them from the daily drone attacks and the recurring security lapses that have plagued the city since the beginning of the war.” These lapses include assassinations, injuries and the looting of civilian property by military forces stationed within the city, often using weapons, local sources said. “Children walk long distances to school, and workers reach their workplaces without electricity, drinking water, or even a source of income due to poverty, unemployment, and the scarcity of cash in the city,” Abdullah said. “The city is going through a difficult period; we hope it will overcome it peacefully and that security and peace will prevail in Sudan.” Sudan war News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

geopolitical · geopolitical

Syrian Bar Association mourns six lawyers amid international condemnation of Thursday's attack in Damascus.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Wimbledon 2026: Zeynep Sonmez sports watermelon shock absorber for Palestine Submitted by Judy Qeis on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 12:37 Turkish No 1 says tournament organisers barred her from wearing Palestinian pin despite Ukrainian flag being allowed Zeynep Sonmez with a watermelon vibration dampener on her racket at Wimbledon this week (Patrick Hamilton/Sipa USA via Reuters) Off Tennis player Zeynep Sonmez has said she was told by Wimbledon organisers that wearing a Palestine pin was prohibited, leading her to display solidarity with Palestinians through her racket. The Turkish No 1 told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that she "used to wear a pin", but that "tournaments no longer allow me to wear it". She added that her team had a "discussion with the organisers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not". "They ultimately told us they definitely would not allow it," she said. The 24-year-old ended up fastening a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener to her racket: "[T]hey can't object to that." The watermelon has been used as a symbol for Palestinian resistance since the 1967 war, when Israeli authorities banned public displays of Palestinian flags in occupied Palestinian lands. In response, Palestinians started bringing slices of watermelon - which shares the colours of the national flag - to protests and painted and displayed signs of the fruit. It has been used as a symbol of solidarity since. 'Double standards' Hundreds of social media users showered praise on Sonmez for her stance while criticising Wimbledon organisers for "double standards" on Ukraine and Palestine. Regarding the decision about Sonmez, tournament director Jamie Baker said: "We don't allow any kind of political messaging from players on court ... That has been consistent across the rules for a long time." However, earlier in the week, Ukrainian player Daria Snigur was seen competing while wearing a pin with the Ukrainian flag. This is so demoralizing. Props to zeynep for fighting for what she believes in https://t.co/ROovX9CNti — noor (@sinncedes) July 2, 2026 When asked why Sonmez was not allowed to display a Palestine pin while Snigur could wear a Ukraine symbol, Baker insisted that the "Ukrainian situation" was "quite unique". "[W]e were following our government guidance, and the international response ... so that was an individual situation," he continued. One user posted on X: "Ukraine flag allowed but not Palestine flag. Bitterly disappointed that even Wimbledon stooped to this level of hypocrisy." Others focused on Sonmez's message. "It's a small act but the ingenuity and undeterred commitment to somehow doing the display of solidarity is so beautiful," said one user. Another wrote : "Huge respect to Zeynep Sonmez for not being silenced on the genocide Israel is committing." Middle East Eye has contacted the All England Lawn Tennis Club and Sonmez for comment. Sport Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

military · geopolitical

Syrian foreign minister's visit opens cautious channel to Hezbollah amid US pressure Submitted by Adam Chamseddine on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 13:40 Asaad al-Shaibani's meeting with Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri signals that Damascus favours dialogue and border coordination over military intervention in Lebanon Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Beirut on 2 July 2026 (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters) Off Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani's second official visit to Lebanon carried a significance that went well beyond the formal meetings on his schedule. Unlike his first trip to Beirut following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, this visit included a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the leader of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah's closest political ally. The meeting came after a series of controversial statements by US President Donald Trump suggesting that Syria could be asked to "take care of" Hezbollah, and amid growing pressure on Damascus to assume a role in confronting the Lebanese group. For Beirut, the visit offered additional reassurance that Syria's new administration did not intend to respond to that pressure by intervening militarily in Lebanon. For Damascus, it provided an opportunity to explain the extent of the pressure it faces, while signalling that Hezbollah could help prevent further escalation by addressing tensions along the Lebanese-Syrian border. A senior Lebanese official who met Shaibani during the visit told Middle East Eye that the trip had been coordinated with the Lebanese side to send a clearer message about Syria's intentions. "The visit was very much needed to reassure Lebanon and ease concerns about the possibility of a military intervention pushed by the United States," the official said. "[Syrian] President Ahmed al-Sharaa's reassuring message during his television interview was a positive sign, but the foreign minister's visit sent a stronger message that the new Syrian administration poses no threat to the Lebanese state or its sovereignty." Berri brought into the dialogue Shaibani's meeting with Berri marked a notable departure from his previous visit, when the speaker was not included in the official programme. Berri has long maintained close ties with Damascus, including during the rule of Assad. Although he opposed Hezbollah's military intervention in the Syrian war , his position as the leader of Lebanon's principal Shia political movement and Hezbollah's most important domestic ally makes him a natural intermediary between the group and Syria's new leadership. 'If the national interest requires meeting with Hezbollah, we are open to doing so' - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani It was therefore significant that Shaibani chose Berri's headquarters to make one of his clearest public statements concerning Hezbollah. Asked about Syria's position towards the group, the Syrian foreign minister said: "If the national interest requires meeting with Hezbollah, we are open to doing so." The statement followed similar remarks by Sharaa, who said Syria was prepared to communicate with all Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah, if dialogue served the interests of both countries. The public signals from Damascus have been accompanied by a gradual softening in Hezbollah's own language towards Syria's new authorities. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has repeatedly called for opening a new page in relations with Damascus. Senior Hezbollah official Nawaf Moussawi has also publicly referred to the Syrian president as "Brother Ahmed al-Sharaa", a striking shift from the group's earlier treatment of the man previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the nom de guerre he used while leading his al-Qaeda offshoot, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. A senior Hezbollah official told MEE that the situation had now matured to the point where there was no longer a reason to delay direct contact. "What is needed now is the initiative," the official said. "There is an opportunity for the relationship to be strengthened and organised." The official suggested that Turkey , which maintains a close relationship with the Syrian administration, could play a role in arranging an initial meeting. Pressure from Washington The visit took place against the backdrop of increasingly explicit comments by Trump about a possible Syrian role against Hezbollah. The US president first raised the idea in an NBC Meet the Press interview recorded on 5 June and broadcast two days later. Calling for a more "surgical" approach against Hezbollah, Trump said Washington could assist or "recommend Syria". 'They're not all Hezbollah': Trump criticises Israel killing civilians in Lebanon Read More » "We can help them with that, or we can recommend Syria," Trump said, praising Sharaa and claiming that the Syrian president "would love to help". His wording remained vague and did not specify whether he envisaged a Syrian military intervention, diplomatic involvement or pressure on Hezbollah through the border. But Trump became more direct during the G7 summit in France on 16 June. "I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because, to be honest with you, I think they do a better job of doing it," he told reporters. Trump criticised Israel 's conduct of the war on Lebanon , saying it had taken too long to defeat Hezbollah while causing extensive civilian casualties and destroying residential buildings. The following day, Trump confirmed that he had personally discussed Hezbollah with Sharaa, although he declined to say whether the Syrian president had agreed to take action. The repeated remarks heightened concerns in Lebanon that Washington was trying to draw Syria into the conflict and open a new front against Hezbollah from the east or northeast. What Shaibani told Berri Middle East Eye understands that these concerns were discussed in detail during a private, 45-minute meeting between Shaibani and Berri. According to a source briefed on the meeting, the Syrian foreign minister told the speaker that Damascus was facing intense American pressure to intervene militarily against Hezbollah along the northeastern frontier. Shaibani expressed frustration that Hezbollah was not doing enough to help Damascus resist that pressure, the source said. 'The Syrian administration does not want Sunni-Shia tensions to escalate, because the region cannot bear more bloodshed' - Source quoting Shaibani In particular, he raised the presence of Hezbollah positions in disputed border areas that remain outside the effective control of the Syrian state. According to the source, Shaibani told Berri that transferring control of these positions to the Lebanese army would help reduce tensions and deprive advocates of military action of one of their main arguments. He suggested that Berri could initially act as an indirect mediator between the two sides. "The Syrian administration does not want Sunni-Shia tensions to escalate, because the region cannot bear more bloodshed," the source quoted Shaibani as saying. "If you lose, we lose with you. We do not want that, and this is not poetry." The remarks indicated that Damascus views the potential consequences of a confrontation with Hezbollah as extending far beyond the Lebanese border. Despite the history of hostility between Syria's new rulers and the Lebanese group, Syrian officials appear concerned that a military campaign could deepen sectarian divisions inside Syria, destabilise border regions and draw Damascus into a conflict it cannot control. Reassurance, but also a request Sharaa had previously attempted to calm the controversy during an interview with Al Mashhad television on 21 June. He said Trump's remarks had been misinterpreted as suggesting that the Syrian army would enter Lebanon "tomorrow morning". According to Sharaa, discussions with Washington had focused on how Syria could contribute to a safe and peaceful solution rather than an invasion of Lebanon. "Our vision is based on supporting the Lebanese state once again, strengthening its institutions and seeking a solution that everyone believes in," he said. "We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones." Lebanon’s Israel framework deal draws broad opposition but little appetite for confrontation Read More » Sharaa also said Damascus was prepared to meet with Hezbollah, despite what he described as the "deep Syrian wound" left by the group's role in supporting Assad during the civil war. Shaibani's visit reinforced that reassurance, but it also carried a request. Damascus wants Hezbollah and the Lebanese state to take steps along the border that would help Syria withstand American pressure and demonstrate that contentious areas can be brought under recognised state control without Syrian military action. Berri's inclusion in the visit was therefore not ceremonial. As Hezbollah's closest ally and the Lebanese official most capable of maintaining communication with both the group and regional governments, he could become the principal channel through which Syria and Hezbollah cautiously redefine their relationship. The visit did not produce a formal meeting between Syrian officials and the group. But it suggested that both sides are moving away from complete estrangement and towards a controlled dialogue shaped by immediate security concerns. For Damascus, that dialogue may offer the best way to avoid being forced into a military role it does not want. For Hezbollah, it could provide a channel to prevent Syria's eastern border from becoming a new front in the growing regional campaign against the group. Syria after Assad Beirut News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

social demographic · sports

Six matches from Cardiff to Córdoba are bound to be intriguing – but player welfare is taking a back seat You know something is not quite right about a competition when Fiji are hosting Wales in Cardiff. You know something is not quite right when the Wales players are locked in negotiation with their paymasters over “employment terms” three days before the Test. Welcome to rugby’s latest controversial ruse. The next time World Rugby spouts that thing about player welfare being their No 1 priority, just say “Nations Championship” back at them. The next time the governing body goes on about the sanctity of the World Cup, do the same. Continue reading...

geopolitical · geopolitical

Authorities Friday were looking for a Ukrainian woman with a tattoo suspected of planting a bomb in Monaco that injured three people including a Ukrainian-born tycoon, after German police raided her flat. Identified as Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, the suspect is wanted in Monaco for attempted murder, placing an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy over the explosion on Monday, according to an Interpol Red Notice.

military · geopolitical

Ukraine's long-range strikes hit targets in Russia, where anxiety is rising.

social demographic · education

With Columbia University set to be represented in Congress by former protester, advocates see 'new wave of hope'.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Authorities in Kyiv asked residents to stay indoors as much as possible on Friday due to a spike in air pollution caused by massive Russian strikes the day before which started fires across the city.

natural disaster · natural disaster

A treatment trial for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo ​enrolled its first patient on Thursday, marking a milestone in efforts to combat the epidemic, WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

social demographic · sports

On this edition of Access Asia, we find out why anger is brewing in South Korea after the country's national team was eliminated from the World Cup. We also ask our Sports Editor why China hasn't managed to make it to football's top tier despite massive investment. Plus, Japan's prime minister heads to India as both countries seek to strengthen ties.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Anastasiia Berezovska is named as the chief suspect responsible for injuring Ukrainian tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev.

social demographic · sports

Pop icon Madonna released the fifteenth album of her decades-long career on Friday, "Confessions II", ahead of a performance to promote her new tracks at the half-time show of the Football World Cup final on July 19.

geopolitical · geopolitical

William Hilderbrandt is pleased to welcome Mateo Jaramillo Ortega, ICRC Regional Spokesperson for Eastern Africa. He asserts that '"civilian suffering in Sudan is not inevitable: much of the harm over the past three years, since the beginning of combat in Khartoum, and nowadays in al-Obeid, could have been prevented had the laws of war, and international humanitarian law, been respected."

geopolitical · geopolitical

Outrage after Turkish stand-up comedian arrested for 'insulting' Erdogan Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 13:08 Deniz Goktas appeared in court on Friday after show containing jokes on Quran and Turkish politicians went viral A clip from Deniz Goktas's show 'Olu Deniz' that was posted on YouTube (screengrab) Off Authorities have arrested a popular Turkish comedian after he was accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and "insulting religious values". Deniz Goktas was apprehended at Istanbul Airport on Thursday, the Istanbul public prosecutors' office said in a statement, as he arrived home from holiday, before being formally arrested. The allegations relate to a stand-up performance he gave in Istanbul on 1 June, which was posted on YouTube and has since been viewed nearly nine million times. The show poked fun at politics and society in Turkey, including satirical jibes at Erdogan, jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, and Erdogan's sons-in-law, Berat Albayrak and Selcuk Bayraktar. During the show, he described Erdogan as having transitioned from a "shy dictator" to one who is "at peace with his own identity". "You know, I wish I could be Recep Tayyip Erdogan's therapist. The pay would be excellent. It would clearly take years, there would be perks and the like; it's the perfect job for me," he said. He also made a joke referencing the Quran as the fourth and final book in Islam. "The first three books were good, but the translation was weak in the fourth. I think it was the best of the four books," he said. Speaking in court on Friday, Goktas pointed out he had been performing his show since 2023 and had never intended to insult either religion or the president. "The word 'dictator' is a political characterisation. It is also a subject that is frequently debated in public. I had no intention of insulting or denigrating anyone," he told prosecutors. According to the prosecutor, his show had received 185 complaints. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) also blocked access to some excerpts from the show shared on social media. 'Inventing a crime' His arrest has sparked condemnation from Turkish rights groups and politicians, who denounced it as an attack on freedom of expression and another attempt to crack down on criticism of the government. Murat Emir, an MP for the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), accused the courts of engaging in a game of "inventing a crime to arrest someone". Turkish opposition Istanbul HQ seized under police guard Read More » "You folks gripe about comedians, but the real improv show in this country is happening in the courthouse hallways," he wrote on X. The Turkish Human Rights Association described his arrest as a "severe blow to freedom of Expression". "We demand that this judicial harassment against Goktas be immediately ended and that he be released," the group wrote on X. Thousands of people are arrested and prosecuted each year on charges of insulting the president in Turkey. The charge under Article 299 of the Turkish penal code can lead to up to four years in prison. Inside Turkey News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

geopolitical · geopolitical

Child killed in Israeli strike while searching for water in Gaza A Palestinian child was killed in Gaza and another wounded by an Israeli drone that dropped an explosive device as they collected water. “An Israeli quadcopter drone dropped a bomb on them as they were filling water behind Al-Omari Mosque east of Gaza City,” Gaza’s civil defence agency said in a statement.

social demographic · sports

Fiji will try to make Cardiff a home from home on Saturday as they 'host' Wales to kick off rugby's new Nations Championship.

social demographic · sports

Cape Verde's World Cup run has become about more than football.

social demographic · sports

World Cup cohosts Canada face mighty Morocco in their first-ever last-16 appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

military · geopolitical

Another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan around the besieged city of al-Obeid, the United Nations human rights chief said on Friday, warning of a pattern of ​atrocities and urging ‌the world to act. Al-Obeid is the capital of North Kordofan state, a ⁠focus of recent fighting in a war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began more than three years ago and has caused a ‌vast humanitarian crisis.

geopolitical · geopolitical

UN human rights chief Volker Turk issued the warning over growing fears of an imminent RSF assault.

social demographic · culture

O2 Academy, Glasgow In her first UK headline show in 16 years, Jett has a terrific knack for a cover version, though she’s a touch nonchalant – and there’s a real misstep ‘I’m not a very good storyteller,” shrugs Joan Jett, sporting black leather and trademark poker face. If you’ve come expecting something as sappy as sentimental anecdotes at this anniversary tour celebrating 45 years of her career-defining albums Bad Reputation and I Love Rock’n’Roll, you’d better jog on. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer isn’t here to chat, or pat herself on the back. This first UK headline show in 16 years delivers straight-shooting hard rock, from early cuts with the Runaways to her most recent releases with the Blackhearts. At 67, Jett’s voice is still deep and commanding – if time has added more gravel, it’s only for the better – and the Blackhearts’ current iteration as a simplified three-piece play hard and fast. It’s all real rock history, but it comes across more like history than it should: even the adrenalised teenage terror of Cherry Bomb is delivered with cool, even stiff, nonchalance. Continue reading...

social demographic · sports

Last minute VAR drama sent Croatia home after their equalizer was deemed offside against Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup goal from a penalty. Spain walked all over the Austrian team in a dominant 3-0 win. Austria, meanwhile, did not manage to get a single shot on target. Switzerland had quite an easy evening against Algeria, who were not able to make it back from 2-0 down. Only a few more games are left in the round of 32. France is getting ready to face Paraguay in the searing heat of Philadelphia.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Iran begins seven-day state funeral for late ayatollah as some 100 foreign delegations arrive under a tense ceasefire

natural disaster · natural disaster

Argentina fans flood Miami for Cape Verde match

social demographic · sports

World cup wrap day 22

social demographic · education

UK Islamic finance sector worth £6bn and drives Gulf investment, report says Submitted by Imran Mulla on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 10:43 The five Islamic banks in Britain all have shareholders based in the Gulf and primarily serve wealthy clients there A raven rests outside its enclosure at the Tower of London, backdropped by The Shard (AFP) Off A new report by the British think tank Equi has revealed the Britain's Islamic finance sector is worth an estimated £6bn and "could generate £2.5bn a year for the UK government". The report, published this week, shows that Islamic finance is facilitating significant Gulf investment in Britain. It recommends that the government set up an Islamic Finance Unit to support the sector's growth and ensure it aids economic growth in Britain. Naz Shah, a Labour MP and the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Islamic and Ethical Finance, said: "As policymakers focus on driving sustainable growth, improving productivity and widening opportunity, this work makes a compelling case for recognising Islamic finance not as a niche offering, but as a significant and underutilised asset for Britain’s economic future." Islamic finance refers to "financial management and transactions that comply with Islamic rules and moral principles". The report says: "Primarily, this includes the prohibition of interest and of investing in industries such as gambling, alcohol, pornography and arms manufacturing." It finds that 64 percent of British Muslims say they prefer Islamic finance over alternatives, and just over half hold an Islamic bank account. Strikingly, "30% of non-Muslims said they would be willing to switch to Islamic finance products if they were offered a service comparable to conventional products". It argues that British Muslims drive domestic demand for ethical and green finance. Some 72 percent of Muslims are aware of green finance, compared with 42 percent of non-Muslims, and Muslims are 20 percent "more likely to use green finance products". Money from the Gulf British Islamic finance assets make up no less than 85 percent of the European Islamic finance market. Much of this is due to money from the Gulf. Islamic finance, the report says, "has supported investment in major London landmarks, including the Shard and Battersea Power Station. Islamic banks have also helped channel foreign investment into UK housebuilding, particularly from Gulf-based investors, for whom London remains a leading real estate destination." The five Islamic banks in Britain all have shareholders based in the Gulf and primarily serve wealthy clients there. But this could be changing. "Islamic retail banking customers in the UK have increased by 20% annually between 2020-2025, showing strong domestic growth potential for Islamic banking," the report says. Remarkably, this is not just due to British Muslims. 'Fight of our lives': Inside the Muslim Labour conference event addressed by Wes Streeting Read More » "Domestic demand for Islamic banking comes from non-Muslim consumers as well," the report notes. "In 2013, 87% of people who opened a fixed term deposit account at Al Rayan [an Islamic bank] were not Muslim." The report warns that Islamic banks being oriented towards "high net worth clients in the Gulf" means they are not leveraging Islamic finance’s "full potential for economic growth in the UK". British Muslims also face significant "financial exclusion". One example of this is debanking, whereby bank accounts are suspended with no reason given. A staggering 42 percent of British Muslim charitable organisations "have experienced a withdrawal of their bank account". Nor is faith mentioned in the UK’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, which the report describes as a "significant oversight". It calls on the British government to "establish a bespoke Islamic Finance Unit", which would be a "dedicated unit to support sector growth, improve coordination across government, and ensure Islamic finance contributes to economic growth and financial inclusion". The report further advocates the establishment of a "sovereign Sukuk (Shariah-compliant bonds) programme" with "specific issuances for sustainable projects, to strengthen the UK’s position in global Islamic finance and support net-zero commitments". Professor Javed Khan, Equi's managing director, said: "Islamic Finance is not a niche issue but a major economic opportunity hiding in plain sight. "At a time when the UK is searching for sustainable growth, this is about unlocking billions in investment, supporting innovation and ensuring our financial system works for everyone." Khan added: "With the right policy support, Britain can become the global capital of Islamic finance, driving growth, boosting productivity and reinforcing our position as a world-leading financial centre." UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

social demographic · sports

Bangladesh may not be at this year’s World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped football fever gripping the nation and two teams are enjoying far more support than any others: Brazil and Argentina. Vast crowds of flag-waving fans have been packing watch parties and taking to the streets to celebrate the Latin giants’ victories, though not all are happy about it.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Kyiv Zoo was damaged during the Russian large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital on the night of 1-2 July, with the entrance area, aquaterrarium and aviary among the facilities affected.