Taga
Iraq's first parliamentary elections since the defeat of ISIS were supposed to herald a return of stability to the country after 15 years of practically incessant war. But turn-out was at a record low, and candidates were openly aligned with foreign powers playing for influence in Iraq. Incumbent Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, backed by the US, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, appears to be squeaking past more populist tickets seen to be in the sway of Iran. These include the coalition of vice president and former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki. The ruling Dawa Party split into rival coalitions as Abadi and Maliki fell out. But the surprise so far is the strong showing of Shi'iite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in an unlikely alliance with the Iraqi Communist Party. Sadr played to resentment against the cronyism and corruption endemic to both factions of the Dawa Party. (Map: CIA)
China blocks Hindu pilgrims from Tibet
The Chinese government is refusing to issue visas to thousands of Hindus seeking to make the traditional summer pilgrimage to a Tibetan mountain said to be the home of Lord Shiva. The Indian foreign ministry, which is working with Chinese… Read moreChina blocks Hindu pilgrims from Tibet
John Hagee and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: fearful symmetry
The New York Times‘s Nazila Fathi writes in a May 20 story entitled “Iranian Clerics Tell the President to Leave the Theology to Them”: TEHRAN — In his almost three years as president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been harshly… Read moreJohn Hagee and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: fearful symmetry
Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche
After all the talk we've heard in recent years about how depressed oil prices are now permanent, in the wake of Trump's announced withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal Bank of America is predicting that the price of Brent crude could go as high as the once-dreaded $100 per barrel in 2019. The report also cited collapsing production in Venezuela due to the crisis there. Brent prices have risen above $77 per barrel since Trump's announcement. Prices have jumped more than 8% over the past month and 15% since the beginning of the year. According to the analysis, investors fear that renewed sanctions on Iran could lead to supply disruptions. Although the report failed to mention it, the Israeli air-strikes on Iranian targets in Syria have doubtless contributed to the jitters. (Photo: Shana)
tulku
Egypt's chief prosecutor referred 555 individuals suspected of joining a local ISIS affiliate to military court. The charges against them arise out of a series of attacks carried out by dozens of small militant groups situated in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. The suspects will faces charges for the planned and executed killings of security personnel, attacks on military checkpoints, and the destruction of a gas pipeline between Egypt and Jordan. The charges come amid growing concerns over torture, lengthy solitary confinement and other rights abuses in Egypt's prisons. (Photo: Egypt Daily News)
Egypt expels Darfur rebel reps in growing crackdown
Egyptian authorities escalated their crackdown on Darfur rebel groups maintaining offices in Cairo, expelling Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) representative Hafiz Youcif Hamoda from the country. The move comes with increasing pressure on Sudanese migrants and refugees in Egypt. No explanation… Read moreEgypt expels Darfur rebel reps in growing crackdown
Sudan: “bloodbath” in Abeyi; US talks on hold
For the past three days, the disputed Sudanese territory of Abeyi has been undergoing what one local SPLA official calls a “bloodbath,” with Misseriya ethnic militiamen attacking local Ngok (Dinka) residents, and Battalion 31 of the Sudan Armed Forces shelling… Read moreSudan: “bloodbath” in Abeyi; US talks on hold
Zimbabwe opposition: rights probe a sham
Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change accused President Robert Mugabe’s government of setting up a sham investigation into electoral violence to deflect international criticism. The MDC says 43 of its members have been killed and scores forced from their homes… Read moreZimbabwe opposition: rights probe a sham
Tibetan religious leader arrested in Sichuan
From the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, May 19: The Chinese authorities had arrested a revered religious figure in Kardze, Tibet according to reliable information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Mexico: union attacked in capital
The Authentic Labor Front (FAT), an independent Mexican labor group, announced on May 13 that one of its affiliates is set to declare a strike at the Central de Abasto, Mexico City’s huge wholesale food market, on May 30. For… Read moreMexico: union attacked in capital