53 m. ago Gulf Arab nations in diplomatic push to prevent military escalation in Iran

Three US-allied Gulf Arab nations have launched behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to prevent military action on Iran amid threats of strikes by US President Donald Trump. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman are concerned that military action against Iran could have wide-ranging consequences for the Middle East, a regional official with knowledge of the matter told CNN. … The post Gulf Arab nations in diplomatic push to prevent military escalation in Iran appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

4 h. ago Literary festival axed after high profile authors join mass walkout over dumped Palestinian writer

Brisbane, Australia  —  A much-loved annual literary festival has been canceled after more than 180 writers quit the program to protest the dumping of a Palestinian Australian author, whose invitation was withdrawn due to “cultural sensitivities” following the Bondi Beach terror attack. Adelaide Writers’ Week has been mired in controversy since late last week when … The post Literary festival axed after high profile authors join mass walkout over dumped Palestinian writer appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Culture

5 h. ago Grandson of Iran’s late supreme leader says Iranians would suffer if the regime fell

Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of Iran’s Islamic republic, has said that if the country’s theocratic regime were to fall, Iranians would suffer. “The day after the Islamic Republic, there is no security, freedom, or welfare in the country,” Khomeini said in an interview with Iran state media IRIB broadcast Tuesday. Khomeini is … The post Grandson of Iran’s late supreme leader says Iranians would suffer if the regime fell appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

5 h. ago Protesters to be given priority “for trial and punishment,” head of Iran’s judiciary says

Protesters in Iran charged with violence or “terrorist” activities will be given “priority for trial and punishment,” the head of the country’s judiciary said, according to state media. His comments raise concerns for the thousands of people reported to have been arrested during mass anti-government demonstrations. “Anyone who has attacked people, security forces, or facilities … The post Protesters to be given priority “for trial and punishment,” head of Iran’s judiciary says appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

24 h. ago Trump is pledging to ‘rescue’ protesters in Iran. He has a selective view of the sanctity of protests.

President Donald Trump billed strikes on Venezuela earlier this month as being about drugs, gangs invading the United States and law enforcement – i.e. arresting indicted leader Nicolás Maduro. But of late, he seems conspicuously preoccupied with the country’s oil wealth. And the American people seem to have noticed. A CBS News poll last week … The post Trump is pledging to ‘rescue’ protesters in Iran. He has a selective view of the sanctity of protests. appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

29 h. ago A morgue overflowing with more body bags than answers amid Iran’s latest crackdown on dissent

Iranians screamed in anguish and cried in confusion as they gathered beside bodies shrouded in black bags in a makeshift morgue at the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center and lying on the ground outside the facility south of Tehran. Videos making their way past Iran’s internet blackout circulated over the weekend, revealing harrowing scenes from earlier … The post A morgue overflowing with more body bags than answers amid Iran’s latest crackdown on dissent appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

45 h. ago Iran protests: Tehran accuses Washington of ‘Terrorist War’ as Trump weighs military intervention

Iran protests: Tehran accuses Washington of ‘Terrorist War’ as Trump weighs military intervention  Dailynewsegypt

Events

48 h. ago A sick economy and growing poverty have fueled Iran’s protests

The Iranian economy is in free-fall, led by a stunning depreciation of its currency, the rial. Inflation and deepening poverty have fuelled the protests, which began with a strike among merchants in Tehran’s bazaar. Many Iranians seek refuge in gold as the currency spirals downwards. The rial has lost about 40 percent of its value … The post A sick economy and growing poverty have fueled Iran’s protests appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

49 h. ago Syrian president says Egyptian companies have priority in reconstruction

Syrian president says Egyptian companies have priority in reconstruction  Middle East Monitor

Politics

53 h. ago Iran’s troubled regime cracks down hard as Trump ratchets up pressure

As furious protests enter their third week and bring Iran to the precipice of change, the country’s theocratic government is trying to survive by harshly cracking down on the widening demonstrations. Iran’s ruling clergy have weathered huge protests many times before. But the longstanding regime’s grasp on power now appears more tenuous than ever as … The post Iran’s troubled regime cracks down hard as Trump ratchets up pressure appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Events

53 h. ago Iran’s feared paramilitary group is cracking down on protesters. Here’s what we know about the Basij

Members of Iran’s parliament have appealed to the Minister of Intelligence to resume Basij patrols as security forces crack down on the protests sweeping the country. Here’s what we know about the Iranian paramilitary force that has long been used by the state to quell protests: Who are the Basij? Meaning “mobilization” in Farsi, the … The post Iran’s feared paramilitary group is cracking down on protesters. Here’s what we know about the Basij appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

69 h. ago “They waited and punished us” — Kessié reveals how Egypt knocked out the champions

“They waited and punished us” — Kessié reveals how Egypt knocked out the champions  Foot Africa

Sport

3 d. ago “We can’t handle it anymore:” Iranians describe heavy toll of protests and violent crackdown

Eyewitness accounts from the ongoing protests in Iran — where the government has imposed an internet blackout — depict intense struggle and mounting exhaustion after two weeks of turmoil. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one 35-year-old anti-government protester in Tehran told CNN demonstrators appear to be exhausted, tired of the fight amid sleepless nights. Meanwhile, … The post “We can’t handle it anymore:” Iranians describe heavy toll of protests and violent crackdown appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

3 d. ago Fears of an AI bubble were nowhere to be found at the world’s biggest tech show

Las Vegas, NV  —  Robots took over the floor at the biggest technology show of the year: I watched a towering humanoid robot march forward, spin its head and wave at an excited crowd. Then I almost bumped into a four-legged doglike robot behind me. They’re just a couple of the many robots I encountered … The post Fears of an AI bubble were nowhere to be found at the world’s biggest tech show appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

3 d. ago Iran will retaliate against any US attacks, parliament speaker warns

Tehran will treat US military and commercial bases as targets for retaliation if Washington intervenes militarily in unrest-hit Iran, its hardline parliamentary speaker has warned. “If the US takes military action towards Iran or the occupied territories, the US military and shipping centers will be considered legitimate targets,” Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said. “We do not … The post Iran will retaliate against any US attacks, parliament speaker warns appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Events

3 d. ago Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reveals the philosophy behind Egypt’s AFCON surge

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reveals the philosophy behind Egypt’s AFCON surge  Foot Africa

Sport

3 d. ago Direct engagement with investors is core priority: Investment Minister

Direct engagement with investors is core priority: Investment Minister  Dailynewsegypt

Politics

4 d. ago Iranians have been protesting for almost two weeks. Here’s how the demonstrations began

People across Iran have taken part in anti-government protests for nearly two weeks now. Dozens of people have been killed, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO (IHRNGO). If you’re just catching up, here are some key details about the protests that you need to know: When did the protests begin? Demonstrations in the … The post Iranians have been protesting for almost two weeks. Here’s how the demonstrations began appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

4 d. ago Egypt, many Arab and Muslim nations condemn Israeli official’s visit to Somaliland

CAIRO, Jan 8 (MENA) – The foreign ministers of Egypt, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have strongly condemned an Israeli official’s illegal visit to Somaliland, a region of the Federal … The post Egypt, many Arab and Muslim nations condemn Israeli official’s visit to Somaliland appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics

4 d. ago Shopkeepers, who traditionally support Iran’s regime, sparked the protests. Here’s why that’s significant

Anti-government protests in Iran challenging the regime have spread to more than 100 cities. The fact that they began with the bazaaris – a powerful force for change in Iran’s history and one seen as loyal to the regime – is notable. How it began: When the central bank decided to end a program allowing some … The post Shopkeepers, who traditionally support Iran’s regime, sparked the protests. Here’s why that’s significant appeared first on Egypt Independent.

Politics