Lawmakers from Turkey’s ruling AK Party and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party brawled in parliament over the detention and replacement of a DEM Party mayor in southeast Turkey.
The Greek delegation presented the history of the Parthenon Marbles case, emphasizing the violent removal of the sculptures and the poor conditions of their preservation at the British Museum. Efforts to engage in dialogue with the UK have been fruitless, and the Marbles are considered an integral part of Greek cultural heritage. The UK reiterated that existing laws do not allow for the return of the Marbles to Greece, despite strong support from numerous countries for their repatriation.
Israel plans to allow more oil tankers to dock at a Red Sea port in Eilat despite environmental risks. The government wants to revoke restrictions on the amount of oil that can be unloaded at a jetty in the city, which sits near a coral reef. The curbs imposed in 2021 were eased temporarily during the Gaza war. EAPC, the state-owned company operating the pipeline, wants to receive more oil, but environmental regulators and Eilat’s mayor oppose the plan. Israel is pushing to ensure energy security amid conflicts with various groups. Netanyahu’s office recommended easing restrictions to include fuel for trade and domestic use. The environment ministry expressed concerns about the risks of more oil deliveries and cited past mishaps. EAPC welcomed the government’s U-turn, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Eilat facility for energy delivery. Israel imports most of its oil through seaborne trade, and the Emirati oil deal could be worth about million a year for EAPC. The Energy Ministry emphasized the need to handle oil deliveries properly to sustain the terminal economically.
Fact: President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran was killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border along with his foreign minister and seven others.
The Cyprus Institute (CyI) won a Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Award for its research and educational activities addressing the climate crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region.
Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal against extradition to the U.S. by arguing that he might not have free speech rights in a U.S. court. The appeal is based on concerns that he could be discriminated against as a foreign national. Assange is wanted in the U.S. on 18 charges related to WikiLeaks’ release of secret U.S. documents. The appeal was welcomed by his supporters, who gathered outside the court. If the ruling had gone against him, Assange could have been extradited to the U.S. within 24 hours. U.S. assurances that Assange could rely on First Amendment protections were deemed inadequate by his legal team. The appeal will now cover all 18 charges against him.
Iran declared five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi, but the response was subdued compared to previous senior figure deaths. Despite prayers and mourning, most shops remained open. Raisi’s crackdown on anti-establishment protests in 2022-2023 led to opposition celebrating his death. Critics do not expect significant change in the regime after his passing. Raisi’s legacy is divisive, with supporters praising his work ethic and opponents condemning his role in past executions. Many Iranians believe another hardline figure will replace him, continuing the current regime’s policies.
The text discusses the potential impact of a Biden or Trump presidency on the US economy. The analysis covers eight major economic categories, including domestic manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, housing, labor, taxes, tariffs, and trade. Biden and Trump have different plans and approaches to these economic categories based on their past records as president and their campaign promises. Biden focuses on issues like lowering prescription drug costs, investing in the future, supporting workers and small businesses, and ensuring fair taxation. Trump, on the other hand, has proposed plans such as protecting American car manufacturers, imposing tariffs on foreign-made cars, and focusing on fossil fuels. The text also highlights the differences in their views on student loan debt, healthcare, housing costs, labor unions, taxes, tariffs, and trade policies.
Oil prices are trading down due to disappointing economic data and a rise in US crude oil inventories.
Iraq hanged 11 militants convicted of terrorism charges in Nassiriya. The executions were carried out on Monday, and all those executed were Iraqi nationals. The men were found guilty of joining the Islamic State and participating in terrorist activities. Amnesty International expressed concern about the lack of transparency surrounding executions in Iraq.