News from Middle East Politics
Stay current with all the latest and breaking news about Middle East Politics, compare headlines and perspectives between news sources on stories happening today. In total, 1,447 stories have been published about Middle East Politics which Ground News has aggregated in the past 3 months.
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Transgender · IraqIraq’s parliament has passed a bill making same-sex relations punishable by up to 15 years in prison, in a move condemned as an “attack on human rights”. Transgender people will also be sentenced to three years in jail under the amendments to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, which were adopted during a session attended by 170 out of 329 lawmakers on Saturday. A previous draft had proposed capital punishment for same-sex relations, in what campaigners had called a “dangerous” escalation. The new amendments enable courts to sentence people to between 10 and 15 years in prison, according to the document seen by AFP, in a country where gay and transgender people already face frequent attacks and discrimination. They also set a minimum seven-year prison term for “promoting” same-sex relations and a sentence ranging from one to three years for men who “intentionally” act like women.See the Story
New Iraqi bill punishes same-sex relationship with 15-year jail term
50% Center coverage: 24 sources
Antony Blinken · United StatesWashington's top diplomat is among leaders expected at a Saudi-hosted economic summit set to begin on Sunday (Apr 28) with a strong focus on the grinding war in Gaza, organisers said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be "coming in directly from his visits in China and on his way to Israel," Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum (WEF), told a press conference on Saturday in Riyadh. Other participants at the two-day WEF special meeting include Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and foreign ministers and prime ministers from across the Middle East and Europe. These include foreign ministers from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the EU and prime ministers from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, according to a WEF press release.See the Story
Blinken due in Saudi Arabia for WEF summit on global economy and Gaza
57% Center coverage: 21 sources
Hamas · IsraelIsrael's foreign minister said on Saturday that a planned incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah could be suspended should a deal emerge to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The comments came as international mediators push for a deal to achieve a ceasefire in the six months of devastating fighting in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas' Oct. 7 assault that sparked the war. See the Story
Israeli foreign minister says hostage deal would defer Rafah operation
43% Right coverage: 14 sources
Europe · United KingdomThe arrests were made as Palestine supporters marched through central London on Saturday afternoon, with organisers preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to take part. In a social media post, the Met confirmed that one man was arrested for holding a placard with a swastika, with a second man arrested for making racist remarks towards counter-protesters.See the Story
Two arrested as thousands of Palestine supporters march on London calling for ceasefire in Gaza
39% Right coverage: 13 sources
Hamas · LebanonThree people were killed Saturday in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, including two members of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed movement and official media said. The border between Lebanon and Israel has seen near-daily exchanges of fire since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began nearly seven months ago. Hezbollah has intensified its targeting of military sites in Israel since tensions soared between Israel and Iran over the bombing of Tehran's Damascus consulate on April 1, widely blamed on Israel. In two separate statements, Hezbollah mourned the deaths of two fighters from the villages of Kafr Kila and Khiam.See the Story
Three dead in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon: report
47% Left coverage: 15 sources