Author: Samsalkan

Climate change and environmental degradation have contributed to the displacement of at least 55,290 individuals in assessed locations in central and southern Iraq between January 2016 and October 2022. This figure represents an estimated 15 per cent of the original population that used to reside in these locations. In other words, more than 1 in 10 people from these locations have been displaced in the past six years. Given the uptick in environmental migration observed in 2022, this trend is expected to worsen, particularly in the absence of adequate mitigation and adaptation strategies. To better understand the root causes of…

Hundreds of people were arrested Friday when police broke up a large demonstration of mostly Jewish New Yorkers who had taken over the main hall of Grand Central station in protest of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, police and organizers said. The New York Police Department said at least 200 people had been arrested, while protest organizers put the number at more than 300. Photos from the scene showed long lines of young people standing in handcuffs and wearing black sweatshirts with the words “Not In Our Name” and “Cease Fire Now” printed in white. The massive sit-in was called by…

A former soldier says coaching his son’s football team is helping him recover from complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Matthew Evans, 40, did 21 years’ Army service and seven military tours including in Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning home he wanted to take his own life and was admitted to hospital because of his PTSD. Son Ollie, 11, is a Veterans Awards finalist for helping his dad through his recovery. The pair practice every week on the pitch near their home in Abercanaid, a village near Mr Evan’s home in Merthyr Tydfil, often joking their way through football drills. Midfielder…

Paris (27/10 – 40) An independent investigation done by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has found that the little-known daughter of Tajikistan’s president has built a medical empire that is generously supported by the state with finance and PR, and her husband, who is ambassador to Turkey, provides her with lobbying services. Parvina Rakhmonova – fifth daughter of the president Emomali Rahmon. Many relatives of the head of Tajikistan became owners of large fortunes or took high government positions after he came to power more than thirty years ago. Unlike Emomali Rahmon’s other children, Parvina is almost unknown to the general public.…

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to “change the Middle East.” Joe Biden has said there’s “no going back.” But as Israeli forces escalate their attacks on the Gaza Strip and issue fresh, urgent warnings to Palestinians to get out of the way, where is the war going, and what comes next? After the horrors of 7 October, Israeli officials keep saying that they intend to uproot Hamas from the Gaza Strip, militarily and politically. But beyond the application of relentless, overwhelming military might, it’s not clear how this unprecedented ambition will be achieved. “You cannot promote such a…

A prestigious Oxford University scholarship programme has been accused of celebrating its colonial history. The Rhodes Trust, founded by imperialist Cecil Rhodes, held a talk on the Atlantic Slave Trade following a £38m renovation of Rhodes House. Speakers at the event, held on 12 October, criticised the “difficult” and “uncomfortable” experience. Trust chief executive Dr Elizabeth Kiss said it was committed to becoming “ever-more inclusive and diverse”. However, several members of the panel said the event was a reminder that colonialism “carries on”. The talk was part of a series of events – including a photography exhibition titled Cecil John…

Belgium has allocated another €1.5 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for its operations in Iraq and Syria to help the region tackle the lingering presence of explosive ordnances. Devastated by foreign intervention, ISIS and civil wars, the need for mine clearance in Syria and Iraq remains very high today as they continue to pose a threat to civilians. Since 2013, the UN estimates that in Syria, an average of six people per day have been killed or injured by explosive ordnance. Following 40 years of conflict, Iraq is also one of the world’s most mine-contaminated countries.…

In a recent statement, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that China is ready to coordinate with Russia on the situation in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Iraq. He said that China and Russia share common interests and responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and stability, and that they have been in close communication and coordination on various issues. Zhao also expressed China’s support for Russia’s efforts to promote a political settlement of the Syrian conflict, and to combat terrorism and extremism in Iraq. He said that China hopes that all parties concerned will respect the sovereignty and…

Paris, Dublin, London (24/9 – 32) Undefeated in 17 games in the last 15 months, Ireland has beaten every rugby union world champion, three of them twice – just for humiliation. Historically, the Irish never got past the last eight of a Rugby World Cup. In this year’s tournament they are on fire: fans have faith that Ireland will finally seize The Webb Ellis Cup on 28 October, final day of the struggle. Low-scoring but epic: a 13-8 win over the defending champion South Africa in Pool B of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Saturday – a brutal statement…

The 32km cross-border project is expected to take 18-24 months to complete. A ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction on the new 32km cross-border line from Basra in Iraq to Shalamcheh in Iran. Iraqi prime minister, Mr Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and the first vice-president of Iran, Mr Mohammed Mokhber, laid a symbolic foundation stone during the ceremony, with Mokhber hailing the strategic value of the project, which is expected to take 18-24 months to complete. Work includes demining the border area, which has been inaccessible since the end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988. This would…