Domestic Politics
On Tuesday night, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab finally formed his new government 34 days after his nomination. Protestors, who have been demanding sweeping reforms to fix the dire economic crisis in the country, took to the streets again as they believe that the new government is comprised of the same people they were rallying against since October, and is ill-equipped to tackle the issues at hand. [Al Jazeera]
At least 12 people were killed in Aleppo this week after a Russia-led air raid near the Syria-Turkey border, including six children. Another 29 people died and dozens were wounded in an attack in Abyei, a disputed region on the Sudan-South Sudan border, allegedly by Misseriya tribesmen. [Al Jazeera; Reuters]
International Relations
Iran’s top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday said that the country will consider withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty if its nuclear case file is sent to the United Nations Security Council. President Hassan Rouhani said that while Tehran was committed to the agreement, signatories violating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action would have to face consequences. [Financial Tribune; Al Jazeera]
Prince Charles is all set to make a landmark visit to the occupied territory of Palestine. On Friday, the British royal will engage in matters that “reflect Bethlehem’s historic religious significance” with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. This move comes amid widespread criticism for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed anti-BDS law and its crackdown on the freedom of speech of Palestinian supporters in Britain. [The National]
The South Korean military plans to deploy anti-piracy units to the Strait of Hormuz after the United States requested help to guard its oil tankers against Iranian forces in the region. The defence minister announced that even though it will send forces to the area, Seoul will not officially be joining any coalition of forces. [Mehr News Agency]
A top Honduran security official on Monday announced that the country has declared Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Last week, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammettei also indicated that he would officially label the group as a terrorist outfit, in addition to shifting the Guatemalan embassy in Israel from its capital Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This change in positioning from both has been perceived as a move towards aligning foreign policy with that of the US. [Al Jazeera]
Society
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new fee for the Hajj visa–an additional $80 to an already exorbitant fee–and is slated to come into effect this year. Despite Riyadh’s decision to eliminate the $533 fee for return pilgrims, it stands to profit considerably from the new fee since more than 3 million new pilgrims come in annually to perform this religious duty. [Middle East Monitor]
Gender
In its new government, Lebanon named six women to its cabinet, including Zeina Akar, who is now the first woman in the Arab world to hold the position of Defence Minister. [Times of Israel]
Science & Technology
A Guardian report on Monday alleged that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hacked Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ cell phone in 2018. Prince Salman and Bezos have shared a strained relationship since the killing of journalist Jamal Kashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, an outlet owned by Bezos. Riyadh has denied these allegations and have called for an investigation into the claims. [The Guardian]
Image Source: New York Times