Embattled Israeli PM fights for survival in do-over election
AP, Jerusalem
A visibly frantic Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the fight of his political life as the country heads to national elections for the second time this year.
With Netanyahu locked in a razor tight race and facing the likelihood of criminal corruption charges, a decisive victory in Tuesday’s vote may be the only thing to keep him out of the courtroom. A repeat of the deadlock in April’s election, or a victory by challenger Benny Gantz, could spell the end of the career of the man who has led the country for the past decade.
Egypt’s President dismisses corruption allegations
AP, Cairo
Egypt’s president on Saturday angrily dismissed corruption allegations made by a businessman-in-exile against the country’s military as “sheer lies and defamation.”
In viral social media videos posted over the past week, the entrepreneur alleged large-scale misuse of public funds in the building of luxurious hotels, presidential palaces and a tomb for President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s mother, who died in 2014.
Afghan Taliban rescind ban on Red Cross
AFP, Kabul
The Afghan Taliban rescinded a months-long ban on the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) working in areas under their control Sunday and restored security guarantees for those working for the organisation.
The militants and the ICRC “consented to following the old agreement on top of new promises in humanitarian aid leading to the Islamic Emirate granting ICRC permission of resuming their activities,” said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement.
Ocean Viking set to return to Libya rescues
AFP, Rome
Charity rescue vessel Ocean Viking was on Sunday preparing to return to rescuing shipwreck survivors off Libya after disembarking 82 migrants in Italy following a reversal of government policy in Rome.
Italian authorities identified and carried out medical checks on the sub-Saharan African migrants after they disembarked overnight on southern island Lampedusa after more than six days at sea.
Pompeo condemns Iran following drone attacks on Saudi
AFP, Washington
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned Iran following drone attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, which had been blamed on Yemeni rebels.
The top US diplomat did not specifically name Tehran as the perpetrator of the attacks that led to fires at two key Saudi Aramco facilities, but said, “Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply.”
