Tag: News Digest
Impoverished and Hungry, Lebanese Protesters Return to the Streets On Monday, protesters in Lebanon gathered once again, shouting “We are hungry,” and facing off with security forces during demonstrations in major cities. Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, now compounded by a nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of […]
As the coronavirus spreads in the gulf region, the UAE has cancelled or postponed all concerts and sports events. There have been around 1,650 cases in the Gulf region, mainly in Iran where there have already been over 200 deaths. A writer at The Atlantic argues that the surprising number of Iranian government officials succumbing […]
Consistent with de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s focus on social reforms, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a national women’s soccer league. This announcement came weeks after the country launched its first female military unit. The league is the latest in a series of measures the kingdom says were taken to empower […]
On Wednesday, President Trump urged the U.S. Senate to reject a bipartisan war powers resolution curbing his authority to engage in acts of war with Iran. He tweeted, “It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with […]
On Monday, the Qatar campus of Northwestern University cancellend an event featuring a prominent Middle East band whose singer is openly gay, after an online backlash sparked safety concerns. Members of Lebanese indie rock band Mashrou’ Leila were scheduled to take part in a discussion about “media revolutions in the Middle East”, but after hostile […]
On Monday morning, the older sister of former ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was detained by Turkish security officials. Rasmiya Awad was found in Turkish-controlled northern Syria. According to women held by Baghdadi and “senior aides interviews after their capture,” the former leader was very secretive. They assert that Baghdadi only trusted family members and […]
On Monday, 61-year-old Kaïs Saïed was announced as Tunisia’s new president. Saïd earned 76.90% of the vote and gained an endorsement from the Ennahda party and former president, Moncef Marzouki. Saïed said that his win brings a significant responsibility to change frustration into hope and and that his success signals the start of a new […]