Headlines

Iraq parliament elects new speaker

Iraq's new parliament elected a senior figure from the Sunni Taqadom party as its speaker Monday, the first session since November elections that consolidated the main parties' grip on power. Parliament's media office said 309 out of 329 lawmakers took part in the inaugural

Tehran shopkeepers shut stores over economic conditions

Some shopkeepers in Tehran shut their stores for the second day in a row Monday in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran's embattled currency, media reports said. The rial has hit new lows on the unofficial market, with the US dollar trading at around 1.42

Iraq's newly elected parliament holds first session

BAGHDAD, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Iraq's newly elected parliament convened on Monday for its first session since the November national election, opening the way for lawmakers to begin the process of forming a new government. Parliament is due to elect a speaker and two deputies

Egyptian activist sorry for violent posts after UK uproar

A British-Egyptian activist apologised Monday for resurfaced social media posts in which he called for violence against Zionists and police, as opposition lawmakers urged the UK government to revoke his citizenship. The posts, dating back to 2010, came to light just days after

Netanyahu to meet Trump in Florida for crucial Gaza talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump in Florida on Monday, with the US president pushing to move to the next stage of the fragile Gaza truce plan. The crucial meeting at Trump's lavish Mar-a-Lago resort comes as some White House officials fear both

Trump, Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan

JERUSALEM/PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec 28 - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to push for progress in the stalled ceasefire in Gaza when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday for talks that will include Israel’s concerns over Hezbollah in Lebanon