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☆ Blinken Visits Iraq in Bid to Prevent Gaza Spillover
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Washington wants to prevent a wider regional conflict and has stepped up diplomacy with regional countries whose populations have been angered by Israel's assault on Gaza. Blinken landed at Baghdad’s international airport, donned a ballistic vest and traveled by Black Hawk helicopter to the Green Zone, a remnant of the U.S. occupation of Iraq after its 2003 invasion. At the U.S. ambassador’s residence he was briefed on threats to U.S. facilities, before heading to the prime minister’s office. Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah issued a warning on Saturday night that the expected Blinken visit would be met with "an unprecedented escalation." Iraqi armed groups aligned with Iran have threatened to target U.S. interests with missiles and drones if Washington intervened to support Israel against Hamas in Gaza.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Mohammed al, Sudani, Asad, Hezbollah's, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Simon Lewis, Hugh Lawson, Conor Humphries Organizations: West Bank, U.S, Iraqi, Baghdad’s, Black, Green Locations: BAGHDAD, Iraq, Israel, Baghdad, . Washington, Gaza, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Gaza . Iraqi, Ain, Harir, Iraqi, Erbil, Lebanon, U.S

☆ Blinken says Palestinian voices key to Gaza future
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Simon Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Blinken passed through Israeli checkpoints to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, and then traveled on to Iraq. Palestinian views, voices and aspirations need to be “at the center” of conversations about the future of Gaza, Blinken told reporters in Baghdad. Blinken had some "good ideas" about the future he said, but "now is the time to ....stop the murder of civilians"Abbas told Blinken there should be an immediate ceasefire and that aid should be allowed into Gaza, according to spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh. While Hamas tightly controls besieged Gaza, the West Bank is a complex patchwork of hillside cities, Israeli settlements and army checkpoints that split Palestinian communities. Blinken credited Abbas for tamping down tension in the West Bank and told him he had pressed Israeli officials for accountability, the senior State Department official said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Mahmoud Abbas, Israel, Abbas, WAFA, Mohammed Shia, Al Sudani, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Matthew Miller, Miller, Jordan, Simon Lewis, Ali Sawafta, Doina Chiacu, Ted Hesson, Hugh Lawson, Alexander Smith, Heather Timmons Organizations: U.S, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian, West Bank, Hamas, CBS, United Nations, senior State Department, Thomson Locations: RAMALLAH, BAGHDAD, Gaza, Ramallah, Iraq, Israel, Baghdad, Iran, United States, East Jerusalem, Palestinian, U.S, United Kingdom, Egypt, Washington

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq issued statements condemning Israel and accusing its military of bombing the hospital. People gather in Tahrir Square to protest the Gaza hospital blast in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 17. One group made an attempt to “reach it,” but a security source told CNN that security forces dealt with them and pushed them away. Jordanian security forces also used tear gas to disperse the protesters, according to two activists and videos posted to social media. TAP said “mass protests were held on Tuesday night,” in several areas “in solidarity with the Palestinian people” and against Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Jihad, Murtadha, CNN’s Ben Wedeman, Protesters, Zohra Bensemra, Tayyip Erdogan, Joe Biden, Ayman Safadi, Safadi, “ can’t Organizations: CNN, Al, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian Islamic, United Arab, West, Anadolu Agency, US State Department, Security, Reuters, TAP, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Jordan’s Foreign Affairs, IDF, UN, Episcopal, Al Ahli Baptist Hospital Locations: Israel, East, North Africa, Gaza City, Ahli, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia, West Bank, Ramallah, Gaza, Tahrir, Baghdad, Amman , Jordan, Jordanian, Beirut, Iran, Tehran, France, England, America, Esfahan, Qom ., Tunis, Istanbul, Turkish, ”, Jerusalem, Al Ahli, Al

☆ Reuters journalist killed: Editor-in-chief calls for probe following death of Issam Abdallah
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni called for an investigation into the death of Issam Abdallah, the Reuters video journalist who was killed Friday when he was struck by a shell that originated in Israel while filming cross-border fire between Israel and Lebanon. “I urge all parties in this conflict to respect and work with all media to ensure the safety of journalists reporting in the region,” Galloni said. “Reporting on world events with accuracy, integrity, independence and freedom from bias is core to what we stand for at Reuters. Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, the two other Reuters journalists wounded in the incident, have been released from a hospital, Reuters reported. Prior to the Friday incident, at least 10 journalists had been killed since the onset of the war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Persons: CNN —, Alessandra Galloni, Issam Abdallah, ” Galloni, “, ” Abdallah, Abdallah, Thaer, Sudani, Maher Nazeh Organizations: CNN, CNN — Reuters, Reuters, Israel Defense Forces, Protect Journalists Locations: Israel, Lebanon, “, Khiyam

He had been scheduled to take a tour of CS Wind, the world’s largest facility for wind tower manufacturing. The official, who was not authorized to comment about the president's potential visit, said a final decision to visit Israel hasn't been made. Blinken was in Israel on Monday for his second visit in less than a week for talks with Israeli leaders. He has been crisscrossing the Middle East with stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It’s the deadliest war for Israel since the 1973 conflict with Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Mohammed Shia, Olaf Scholz, Harris, Jeff Zients, Jake Sullivan, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Bill Burns, Israel hasn't, idled, Sissi, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Matthew Miller, Israel, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Chuck Schumer, “, ” Schumer, Schumer, Kevin McCarthy, Jacob Lew, — Lee, Jon Gambrell, Mary Clare Jalonick Organizations: WASHINGTON, National, National Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, CS, U.S, Union, United, United Arab Emirates, Israeli, ”, “, Israel, Air, Hamas, Israeli Ministry of Defense, United States Senate, Foreign, AP Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iraqi, Pueblo , Colorado, Egypt’s, Cairo, Europe, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, U.S, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Washington

KHIAM, Lebanon (AP) — Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah who was killed in Israeli shelling of southern Lebanon, was laid to rest in his hometown Saturday in a funeral procession attended by hundreds of people. Draped in a Lebanese flag, Abdallah’s body was carried on a stretcher through the streets of his southern town of Khiam, from his family’s home to the local cemetery. France’s international news agency, Agence France-Presse, said two of its journalists were also wounded: photographer Christina Assi, and video journalist Dylan Collins. The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing sporadic acts of violence since Saturday's surprise attack by the militant Palestinian group Hamas on southern Israel. Journalists from various countries have been flocking to Lebanon to monitor the situation as tensions have been escalating between Hezbollah and Israel.

Persons: —, — Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah, Abdallah, Alma al, Beirut’s, Israel, Richard Hecht, ” Hecht, ”, Thaer Al, Sudani, Maher Nazeh, Qatar’s, Elie Brakhya, Carmen Joukhadar, Christina Assi, Dylan Collins Organizations: — Reuters, Hezbollah, Foreign, United Nations, National News Agency, Associated Press, Reuters, ” Reuters, Jazeera, Agence France, AFP, American University Medical, Hamas, Journalists Locations: KHIAM, Lebanon, Lebanese, Khiam, Alma, Israeli, Jerusalem, Beirut, Israel, Palestinian

☆ Israeli military says it is examining incident in which Reuters journalist killed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The Israeli army said on Saturday it was investigating an incident in southern Lebanon in which a Reuters journalist was killed. A Reuters witness at the scene has said he was struck by missiles fired from the direction of Israel. "We are aware of the incident with the Reuters journalist," army spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht told a regular briefing. While other news outlets, including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, said the shells were Israeli, Reuters could not establish whether the missiles had actually been fired by Israel. Agence France-Presse and Al Jazeera each said two of their journalists were wounded in the incident.

Persons: Kanso, Issam Abdullah, Reuters videojournalist, Zohra, Col Richard Hecht, Issam Abdallah, Abdallah, Al, Alma al, Maher Nazeh, Thaer Al, Al Jazeera, Ari Rabinovitch, Jon Boyle Organizations: Lebanese, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, UN Security Council, Agence France, Presse, Hezbollah, Associated Press, Thomson Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Al Khiyam, Lebanese, Al Jazeera, Alma, Al

☆ Israeli shelling strikes Lebanese army post after infiltration warning
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Smoke rises after Israeli shelling , as seen from Lebanese side, near the border with Israel, in Alma Al-Shaab, southern Lebanon, October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Israeli shelling struck a Lebanese army observation post at the border on Friday, three sources in Lebanon told Reuters, after the Israeli military warned of a suspected armed infiltration that it said it was responding to with artillery fire. The alert was issued in Hanita, 500 metres (yards) from the tense border and opposite Aalma El-Chaeb. The military statement said there had been an explosion at the adjacent border fence, which was lightly damaged. Reporting by Timour Azhari, Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily; writing by Dan Williams; editing by Alex Richardson and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thaier, Aalma, Israel, Timour Azhari, Laila Bassam, Gebeily, Dan Williams, Alex Richardson, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lebanese, Israel, Alma Al, Lebanon, Hanita, Lebanon's Iran

☆ A Reuters journalist died after his crew was struck by Israeli artillery
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jyoti Mann | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah died in an artillery strike near the Israel-Lebanon border. The crew were struck while filming a livestream video for Reuters, which has since been removed. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Reuters journalist died following an Israeli artillery strike near the Israel-Lebanon border Friday, a horrific incident captured on video that underscores the dangers to covering the intensifying conflict. The news agency confirmed in a statement that its videographer Issam Abdallah was killed when his crew was struck, a moment seen in a livestream video by Reuters on YouTube. Reuters' journalist Issam Abdallah takes a selfie picture while working in Maras, Turkey, February 11, 2023.

Persons: Issam Abdallah, —, Journalists Thaer Al, Sudani, Maher Nazeh, Issam, QJ0TSxaNHO — Organizations: Reuters, Service, YouTube, Journalists, REUTERS, QJ0TSxaNHO — Reuters, Protect Journalists, Israeli Air Force, IDF Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Maras, Turkey, Gaza

☆ Reuters Journalist killed in southern Lebanon; 2 others wounded
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —At least one journalist was killed and six others were injured Friday while covering the war between Israel and Hamas in southern Lebanon. Reuters said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” to learn that one of its videographers, Issam Abdallah, had been killed in the incident. “We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the region, and supporting Issam’s family and colleagues,” Reuters said. Al Jazeera separately said that two of its journalists, Elie Brakhya and reporter Carmen Joukhadar, were wounded. Prior to the Friday incident, at least 10 journalists have been killed since the onset of the war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Persons: ”, Issam Abdallah, Thaer Al, Sudani, Maher Nazeh, Al Jazeera, Elie Brakhya, Carmen Joukhadar Organizations: CNN, Reuters, ” Reuters, Agence France, Presse, Israel Defense Forces, Protect Journalists Locations: Israel, Lebanon

"This is important for the predictability of the oil market, and ultimately for the well-being of all mankind," Putin said. Russia and Saudi have coordinated supply cuts - both as part of OPEC+ and with side agreements - to support oil prices in recent years. Putin praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and said that if there were differences on extending OPEC+ cuts, then the Kremlin would seek consensus. "For the stability of the oil market, the interaction of the main suppliers is necessary, and on open, transparent terms. And it is with this logic that Russia works with partners within the framework of OPEC+," Putin said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Mohammed Shia Al, Alexander Novak, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vladimir Soldatkin, Guy Faulconbridge, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Putin, Organization of, Petroleum, Russian Energy, Iraqi, Kremlin, Hamas, OPEC, Crown, Thomson Locations: OPEC, MOSCOW, Russia, Moscow, Sudani, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Kuwait, Venezuela, Saudi

☆ Putin Says Violence in Israel and Palestine Shows US Failure in Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said the surge of violence between Israel and the Palestinians showed the failure of US policy, which he said had sought to monopolise negotiations while ignoring Palestinian interests. "I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," Putin told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Putin said the United States had sought to "monopolise" international efforts at forging peace in the region, and accused Washington of neglecting to seek compromises that would be acceptable to each side. The United States, Putin said, had ignored the interests of Palestinians, including the need for an independent Palestinian state. The Palestinians want a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital - all territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Mohammed Shia Al, Sudani, Washington, Alexander Marrow, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: Iraqi, United States, West Bank, Reuters Locations: MOSCOW, Israel, States, United, United States, Gaza, East Jerusalem

RUSSIAN DEATH TOLL IN HAMAS ATTACKS RISES TO 4MOSCOW — Russia’s embassy in Israel said the number of Russian citizens killed in the latest Israel-Palestinian war has risen to four. Previously, two Russian citizens were believed to have been killed and four were missing, according to Anatoly Viktorov, Russian Ambassador to Israel. 2 RUSSIAN CITIZENS WERE KILLED IN HAMAS ATTACKS IN ISRAELMOSCOW — Russia’s ambassador to Israel said that two Russian citizens have been killed in of the latest Israel-Palestinian war. Viktorov said that four other Russian citizens remain missing. He said the embassy has no information confirming Hamas’ claim that several Russian citizens were among the hostages it has taken.

Persons: Israel pummeled, Elon Musk, Musk, Marina Ryazanova, Anatoly Viktorov, Abdel Fattah el, JERUSALEM —, Cross, Fabrizio Carboni, we’ve, ” Carboni, “, Volker Türk, Türk, ”, ” PUTIN, Vladimir Putin, Mohammed Al, Sudani, Putin, regrettably hasn’t, ” Putin, Leo, Khan Younis, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, INDIA'S MODI, Narendra Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Modi, Modi, ISRAEL MOSCOW —, Israel, Anatoly Viktorov didn’t, hasn’t, Viktorov, MACRON, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Macron, Muqtada al, National Security Iyad, Bazm, Dmitry Peskov, Mahmoud Abbas, Peskov, it’s, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s, Tarik Jazarevic, HAVE Organizations: ‘, Twitter, Tass, International Committee, ICRC, Associated Press, HUMAN RIGHTS, The United Nations, Palestinian, Tuesday, Iraqi, MSF, Shifa Hospital, Nasser Hospital, ISRAEL BERLIN, German Foreign Ministry, Indian, Israel’s, Israel, ISRAEL MOSCOW, Hamas, Ministry of Interior, National Security, Kremlin, WHO, The United, World Health Organization, United Nations, UNRWA, PARIS — France’s Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.N, ISRAEL, MOSCOW, Russian, Egypt, Palestinian, Geneva, GAZA, U.S, GAZA CAIRO, Gaza City, Khan, Shalom, GERMANY, Israeli, Germany, DELHI, India, FRANCE, MACRON HAMBURG, Iran, Hamburg, France, IRAQ, GAZA BAGHDAD, Sadr, Najaf, Iraq, RAFAH, Rafah, RUSSIA, Moscow, GAZA GENEVA, The United Nations, UN, BEIRUT

☆ As Israel goes to war, Russia must now decide where its loyalty lies in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 30, 2020. Maxim Shemetov | Afp | Getty ImagesThe outbreak of bloodshed, violence and outright war between Israel and Hamas has put Russia in an awkward position, with Moscow traditionally treading a fine diplomatic line between Israel and its allies in the Middle East. Russia has enjoyed warm and constructive relations with Israel in recent years. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi hold a meeting in Tehran on July 19, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the Kremlin on April 21, 2016.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Maxim Shemetov, Tatiana Stanovaya, Ebrahim Raisi, Sergei Savostyanov, Stanovaya, Saudi Arabia —, Vladimir Putin's, Bashar Assad's, Bashar Assad, Sergei Shoigu, Alexei Nikolsky, Netanyahu, Putin, Mohammed Shia, Al Sudani, Mikhail Svetlov, tellingly, Russia's, Ian Bremmer, Antony Blinken, Petroleum Javad, Erdogan Organizations: Israeli, Kremlin, Afp, Getty, Hamas, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, AFP, Saudi, Russian Defense, Sputnik, AP Putin, Iraqi, . Security Council, Israel, Eurasia Group, ., Ukraine, Ministry of Defence, Institute for, Petroleum, Turkish Locations: Moscow, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Russian, Tehran, Syria, Eastern, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Umayyad, Damascus, U.S, Palestinian, China

☆ Russia says it's talking to both Israel and Palestinians as Putin blames failure of US policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," Putin told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. The United States, Putin said, had ignored the interests of Palestinians, including their need for their own independent Palestinian state. He did not mention Russia's own role in the Middle East peace process over the years. Along with the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, it has since 2002 formed part of a "Quartet" of powers charged with helping to mediate. Moscow has said it is worried that the violence could escalate into a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Metzel, Putin, Mohammed Shia Al, Sudani, Washington, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Trevelyan, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Financial Security, Sirius, of Science, Art, Sputnik, Rights, Iraqi, United States, United Nations, European Union, Kremlin, stoke, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Krasnodar region, Russia, Israel, Moscow, States, United, United States, Gaza, Russian, Palestinian

☆ Iraqi PM Warns of Complete Collapse of Gaza Strip
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, al-Sudani said another intifada, or uprising, of Palestinians was under way as they were “demanding an end to violations of their rights,” the Russian Interfax news agency reported. “A very dangerous escalation, resulting in the deaths of civilians, spontaneous bombings, including those of civilian targets. All this leads to the destruction of the Gaza Strip," he said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Sudani Locations: Moscow, Russian, Gaza

☆ Putin Blames U.S. for Middle East Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret over the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and described it as an example of the failure of U.S. policy in the Middle East. The Russian leader blamed Washington for what he called attempts to “monopolize the [peace] settlement,” without “looking for compromises acceptable to both sides.” Putin was meeting in Moscow with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani on Tuesday. He said the U.S. had neglected to take into account “the fundamental interests of the Palestinian people, bearing in mind, first of all, the need to implement the decision of the U.N. Security Council on the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.”

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Washington, ” Putin, Mohammed al, ” Organizations: Iraqi, . Security Locations: Israel, Moscow, U.S, Palestinian

☆ Iraq wedding fire caused by 'gross negligence', government investigation says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Volunteers search for the remains of missing bodies following a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniya, in Nineveh province, Iraq, September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad Acquire Licensing RightsBAGHDAD, Oct 1 (Reuters) - A fire that swept through a crowded wedding hall in a northern Iraqi town killing more than 100 people was blamed on "gross negligence" and lack of safety measures, the results of a government investigation into the disaster said. “The fire was accidental and unintentional and occurred due to gross negligence,” the investigation findings said. The blaze trapped people inside the wedding hall and rescue teams struggled to reach them because exit doors were few and small, Shammari said. The investigation also made recommendations that legal action should be taken against local officials.

Persons: Ahmed Saad, Abdul Amir al, ” Shammari, Shammari, Mohammed Shia Al, Sudani, Ahmed Rasheed, Jane Merriman Organizations: Volunteers, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Hamdaniya, Nineveh province, Iraq, Rights BAGHDAD, Iraqi, Christian

☆ Algeria withdraw bid to host Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

“The FAF will now focus its efforts on the reorganisation and revitalisation of football in Algeria, as it reiterates its unwavering commitment to the development of African football. Algeria built new stadiums and upgraded other infrastructure to host the African Nations Championship at the start of the year. Algeria, Morocco, Zambia and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria were in the running for the 2025 finals. Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Senegal and a joint candidacy from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda submitted bids to host the 2027 tournament. In 2014 Guinea were award the right to host the 2023 finals, along with Cameroon (2019) and Ivory Coast (2021).

Persons: Thaier, Ivory Coast, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, Africa, of Nations, Olembe, Nations, REUTERS, Algerian Football Federation, “, African Nations, CAF, Guinea, South, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Egypt, Yaounde, Cameroon, Algeria, Cairo, Morocco, Guinea, Zambia, Benin, Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Libya, Ivory Coast, Ivory, West Africa

CNN —A fire at a wedding in northern Iraq has killed at least 100 people and injured 150 others, according to the Iraqi state news agency INA citing local authorities. The disaster in the Hamdaniya district of northeast Nineveh governorate, was set off by fireworks, candles, and other materials used during the wedding celebration, the Iraqi Civil Defense said. Nineveh governor Najm Al-Jubouri told the Iraqi state news agency INA that the injured were transferred to hospitals in Nineveh and the Kurdistan region. Videos from the scene show thick smoke billowing out of the at the Al Haytham Wedding Hall while crowds and ambulances gather outside. The wedding hall where the fire broke out was covered with highly flammable Ecobond panels that violated safety instructions requirements, according to the Iraqi Civil Defense, ANI reported.

Persons: Najm Al, Jubouri, ” Al, Al Haytham, Mohammed Shiaa Al, Sudani Organizations: CNN, Iraqi Civil Defense, INA Locations: Iraq, Hamdaniya, Nineveh, Iraqi, Kurdistan

☆ Iraq’s Leader, Heading to U.N., Pitches Himself as Face of Change
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Alissa J. Rubin | More About Alissa J. Rubin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Iraq’s prime minister addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, he is hoping to persuade the world that he is the leader who can finally solve his country’s persistent problems of corruption and political instability — and make it a reliable partner for the region. He asserts that as the first Iraqi leader since the U.S. invasion in 2003 to have spent his entire life within the country, he is better able to understand what Iraqis have been through, and to make changes. Every other prime minister after the toppling of Saddam Hussein spent years in exile or working abroad, but Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, 53, never fled Iraq, despite Mr. Hussein’s having ordered the execution of his father and other close relatives. “I am a product of the institutions of the state,” Mr. al-Sudani said in a recent interview in Baghdad, “and I understand the citizens and their priorities.” He described himself as part of “a second generation” of post-Hussein politicians, and said those with his background were closer to the people and understood that “the street wants a change.”

Persons: Saddam Hussein, Mohammed Shia, Hussein’s, “, Mr, Sudani, Hussein, ” Organizations: United Nations General Assembly Locations: New York, U.S, Iraq, Baghdad, “

☆ U.S. Treasury official says Iraq must act to avoid further action on banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Timour Azhari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Employees walk at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq August 15, 2023. Despite the crackdown, the senior U.S. Treasury official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were still other Iraqi banks operating with risks "that must be remediated". Iraq's central bank governor has said Iraq is committed to implementing tighter financial regulations and combating the smuggling of dollars. The central bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. However, there were still "vested interests comfortable with the status quo that can create friction to driving change," the Treasury official said, without identifying who these were.

Persons: Ahmed Saad, Farhad Alaadin, Alaadin, Saddam Hussein, Mohammed Shia Al, Timour Azhari, Alexander Smith Organizations: Central Bank of, REUTERS, Treasury, U.S, Reuters, Iraqi, U.S . Federal, Iraq, U.S . Treasury, Thomson Locations: Central Bank of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, Iran, BAGHDAD, U.S, United States, Iraqi, Iranian, Tehran, Iraq's

☆ Protester killed, dozen wounded in clashes in Iraq city of Kirkuk, police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BAGHDAD, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A protester was shot dead and a dozen wounded on Saturday during clashes between ethnic groups in the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk that broke out after days of tensions, security forces and police said. Security officials and police in the city say they were investigating the circumstances of how a protester - a Kurd - was killed, and who opened fire. People from both protest groups were wounded as stones were thrown and metal bars used to attack, said Kirkuk police. Kurdish forces controlled Kirkuk city after driving Islamic State out in 2014 but were ejected by the Iraqi army in 2017, bringing the city back under Baghdad's control. But Arab residents and minority groups who said they suffered under Kurdish rule, such as the Turkmen, have protested the KDP's return.

Persons: Mohammed al, Sudani, Ahmed Rasheed, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Kurdistan Democratic Party, Security, Iraq's Shi'ite, Thomson Locations: BAGHDAD, Kirkuk, Iraq, State, Iraqi

☆ French President Macron held phone call with Iraq prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in front of French ambassadors during the conference of ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, August 28, 2023. TERESA SUAREZ/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Aug 30 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call on Tuesday with Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, during which Macron reaffirmed to Al-Sudani France's support in the battle against Islamic State, said a statement from Macron's office. The talks between the two politicians come after three French soldiers were recently killed while on operation in Iraq. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, TERESA SUAREZ, Mohammed Shia Al, Macron, Sudip Kar, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Rights, Iraq, Al, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Islamic State, Iraq

☆ Escaped bear delays flight in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Celine Alkhaldi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abu Dhabi CNN —A bear being transported on an Iraqi Airways flight from Baghdad to Dubai Friday caused delays after it escaped from a crate in the cargo hold. The bear was sedated by a specialist team in Dubai and taken off the plane, Iraqi Airways said in a statement shared with CNN. The airline issued an apology on Saturday, saying the bear had escaped the crate “upon arrival to Dubai Airport.”“The company apologizes to the passengers on the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport for reasons beyond the control of the company,” it said. “Upon arrival to Dubai Airport, the animal escaped the crate specified for its shipment,” the airline said, adding that it was being transported in line with international animal welfare guidelines. “Two small, endangered bears were shipped from Baghdad, and when the flight arrived in Dubai, one of the bears broke his cage, forcing health and environment authorities at Dubai airport to sedate it,” the statement said.

Persons: Mohammed Shia Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN, Iraqi Airways, ”, CNN, Dubai Airport, United Arab Locations: Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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