A ruling party member and former minister in Japan on Thursday accepted a three-year jail term for corruption during the 2019 elections.

The move by former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai comes as Japan goes to general elections at the end of this month where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will seek a fresh term.
Kawai was convicted for buying votes for his wife in the 2019 upper house election, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.
His wife, Anri Kawai, had won the seat in the election but was jailed for 16 months by a court in January. She was also suspended for five years from the elections.
He is the first minister in over 10 years to “have a prison term finalized”. Although he had first pleaded not guilty last year in August he later retracted and admitted to most of the charges early this year in March, seeking a suspended sentence.
- The responsibility is solely on me, and I am ready to accept it all - Kawai said in a statement after dropping appeal against his conviction. - I ask for leniency on the people who have accepted cash.-His case triggered criticism and came as a jolt to the ruling LDP which is under intense pressure for its weak response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has battered the world’s third-largest economy.
Kawai was a minister in former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet. Abe stepped down from premiership last year over health issues.
A Tokyo court early this June found that the former justice minister handed out money to 100 local assembly members in Anri's constituency in Hiroshima province to buy votes.
His party had provided Anri 150 million yen ($1.3 million) for the election and the opposition is seeking an investigation whether Kawai used the same money to buy votes for his wife. The LDP has denied any wrongdoing.
Interestingly, the Japanese Public Prosecutor’s Office dropped the bribery case against 100 individuals who allegedly received cash from Kawai.
Japan, home to over 126 million people, will elect 465 lawmakers on Oct. 31 for the lower house of the country’s bicameral parliament where the LDP is still a favorite despite the pandemic stress.
The ruling party has dominated the political scene of the country for the most part since 1955 when it was founded.

Katsuyuki Kawai was convicted for buying votes for his wife in 2019 upper house election

The move by former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai comes as Japan goes to general elections at the end of this month where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will seek a fresh term

Japan’s ex-minister accepts 3-year jail term over vote buying

Southern African nations announced on Thursday they are sending high profile envoys to Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, to engage with King Mswati III over violent protests in the country.

Pro-democracy protests have been ongoing for weeks in parts of the tiny Southern African nation, formerly known as Swaziland.
Reports claim dozens have been injured in clashes with security forces and one person has been killed.
Demonstrators have been barricading roads, and looting shops as they demand for political reforms, including lifting of the ban on political parties, freedom of expression and end to the King Mswati's rule.
They also want two leading legislators, who were arrested in July for being in the forefront of the calls for reform, to be freed.
As chair of the organ on Politics and security Cooperation for the 16 Southern African nations (SADC), South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the envoys on Thursday.
According to a statement, the high-level delegation includes former South African Cabinet ministers, a presidential advisor on international relations, deputy minister of international relations and cooperation as well as representatives of Botswana and Namibia.
The envoys will be accompanied by Elias Magosi, the executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the regional body. They will meet with Mswati this week, according to a Ramaphosa office statement.
Demonstrators, who are mostly youth, claim that the current royal political systems in Eswatini has failed to meet the needs of poor citizens and instead only enriches the king and his family.
The 53-year-old king came to throne three decades ago. He is accused of leading a lavish lifestyle and treating opponents harshly. But the kingdom denies the claims.
- We would like to appeal to all Swazis to discourage this behavior and reiterate that there is no room for such anarchy in our society - he said, referring to the ongoing protests.
On Wednesday evening, the government in Eswatini restricted access to social media sites, locals said.
- I have been using VPN to access some sites, but the internet is slow - a reporter in the Mbabane city told Anadolu Agency. 
Efforts to get a comment from the government spokespeople were unsuccessful as their phones went unanswered.

Demonstrators are demanding democratic reforms in Africa's last absolute monarchy

Pro-democracy protests have been ongoing for weeks in parts of the tiny Southern African nation, formerly known as Swaziland

Southern African nations deploy envoys to Eswatini as unrest escalates

New Zealand and the UK have agreed in principle on a "historic" free trade agreement (FTA) that will reduce tariffs on a range of products.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor said the deal will give a boost of almost $1 billion to New Zealand GDP.
It said the UK will eliminate all tariffs on New Zealand exports, including honey, wine, kiwifruit, onions, a variety of dairy and meat products, and most industrial products.
According to the readout, New Zealand exporters will save approximately $37.8 million per year on tariff elimination alone.
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson and I spoke yesterday evening to mark this historic moment and its importance in forging a stronger and more dynamic future relationship between two close friends and partners - Ardern said.
- This deal serves New Zealand’s economy and exporters well as we reconnect, rebuild and recover from COVID-19, and look forward into the future.-She said, “it’s one of our best deals ever and secured at a crucial time in our COVID recovery."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the deal as "the cherry on the top of a long and lasting partnership between the United Kingdom and New Zealand."
- It is good for both our economies, boosting jobs and growth as we build back better from the pandemic. We already share deep ties of history, culture and values, and I look forward to the next chapter in our friendship - he said.
New Zealand Trade Minister O’Connor said by removing tariffs and other barriers "our exporters and businesses can now enter a new era of market access they have never before had available."
The draft deal is the latest to be brokered by the UK after its departure from the EU, as Australia and the UK announced a free trade agreement in June.
According to a UK government statement, the trade deal “helps pave the way for the UK to join Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade area of 11 Pacific nations with a GDP of £8.4 trillion in 2020.”
Trade between the UK and New Zealand was worth £2.3 billion ($3.2 billion) in 2020.

Premier Jacinda Ardern says agreement provides unprecedented access for New Zealand exporters to UK market

New Zealand strikes "historic" free trade deal with UK

NATO stands in solidarity with its allies threatened by the flow of migrants used by the Belarussian regime as a form of hybrid warfare, the NATO secretary-general said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference before the meeting of NATO defense ministers, Jens Stoltenberg said: “Our allies, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have seen a surge in migrants coming from Belarus. This flow of migrants is orchestrated and used by Belarus as a form of hybrid warfare.”
He also stressed that the allies had already discussed this and would continue addressing this threat.
Stoltenberg expressed regret over Russia’s recent decision on closing its mission to NATO and the alliance’s liaison mission in Moscow.
The NATO chief noted that Moscow’s decision “does not promote dialogue and mutual understanding,” but reassured that the alliance remained open for dialogue with Russia.
He added that NATO remained committed to the principle of “nuclear deterrence” vis-a-vis Russia and ministers “will consult on how to keep our nuclear deterrence safe, secure, and effective while remaining committed to arms control” at their two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers starting on Thursday in Brussels.
- NATO's goal is a world without nuclear weapons. But we do not believe in unilateral disarmament. A world where Russia, China, and other countries like North Korea have nuclear weapons but NATO does not, is simply not a safer world - he stressed.
The ministers will also evaluate the lessons learned from the military alliance’s 20 years presence in Afghanistan at their first meeting to be held since the withdrawal from the country.
According to Stoltenberg, it is important to recognize that NATO has achieved its main role in preventing Afghanistan to become a safe haven for international terrorism.
- If anything, Afghanistan just demonstrates the need for allies to stand together to strengthen the link between North America and Europe - he noted.

Defense ministers of alliance gather on Thursday to discuss Russia, withdrawal from Afghanistan

Stoltenberg: NATO stands in solidarity with allies against 'hybrid' threat from Belarus

Two Taliban security personnel were injured in a grenade attack in Afghanistan’s capital on Wednesday.

The explosion occurred on the main Darul Aman road in the Deh Mazang area of Kabul during the morning rush hour, according to the Taliban’s interim Interior Ministry.
Saeed Khosti, the ministry’s spokesman, said unknown attackers hurled a grenade at a Taliban patrol team near the Kabul Zoo.
An investigation has been started into the attack, which has not been claimed by any group yet.
The Daesh/ISIS terrorist organization has claimed several recent attacks in Afghanistan and the Taliban recently dismantled a hideout of the terror group in Kabul.
Daesh/ISIS was also behind the deadly suicide bombings at Shia mosques in Kandahar and Kandahar this month that claimed more than 100 lives and injured dozens more.
The terror group has also claimed responsibility for a spate of targeted killings in Nangarhar and Parwan provinces, as well as a suicide attack that killed eight people at a mosque in Kabul during a memorial service for the mother of Zabihullah Mujahid, the acting deputy information minister in the interim Taliban administration.

2 Taliban security personnel injured in attack during morning rush hour, says official

Saeed Khosti, the ministry’s spokesman, said unknown attackers hurled a grenade at a Taliban patrol team near the Kabul Zoo

Taliban patrol team targeted in Kabul grenade attack

Representatives of 10 countries and the Taliban gathered in the Russian capital on Wednesday to discuss recent developments and the future of Afghanistan.

Opening the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the Moscow format one of “the most demanded” mechanisms on the Afghan settlement.
He regretted the absence of a US representative in the session, and said he hoped it is not because of "some principle problems."
- We regret about the non-participation of our American colleagues ... I hope it doesn’t connect to some principle problems and probably one of the reasons is the change of the US special representative for Afghanistan - Lavrov said.
He said he expects the US will express its readiness to cooperate on the Afghan issue, and join in the steps finalized after the meeting.
The Russian diplomat said their goal is to achieve sustainable peace in Afghanistan, and forming an inclusive government is "a key to success."
He said the absence of international recognition of the Taliban, as well as social and economic problems, and humanitarian challenges have contributed to the unstable situation in Afghanistan, which can be exploited by terrorist and criminal groups.
This could have spillover effects for neighboring countries, he said, adding that he spoke with the Taliban about not letting to use Afghan soil against its Central Asian neighbors.
- We are satisfied with the level of practical interaction with the Afghan authorities, which allows at the current stage to resolve the problems of providing security to Russian citizens living in Afghanistan, unhindered functioning of our embassy in Kabul, as well as the embassies of other countries - he said.
He thanked the Taliban for assistance in organizing the evacuation of Russian citizens, and ensuring the necessary conditions for Russian journalists to conduct their duties in Afghanistan.
The time has come for the international community to provide Afghanistan considerable financial, economic and humanitarian assistance to avoid a humanitarian crisis and a new wave of emigration, he said.
Besides the host country Russia, representatives of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Iran, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are participating in the meeting. They are expected to adopt a joint statement after the session.

Representatives of 10 countries, Taliban gather in Russian capital to discuss situation in war-torn country

Opening the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the Moscow format one of “the most demanded” mechanisms on the Afghan settlement

Moscow format talks on Afghanistan begin

At least 46 people have died in flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in India’s northwestern state of Uttarakhand, authorities said on Wednesday.

The Himalayan state has been battered by relentless downpour for three consecutive days, sparking floods that have washed away homes, roads and bridges. ​​​​​​​
Some 122 millimeters of rainfall were recorded in Uttarakhand between Monday and Tuesday, about four times the normal range for the entire month of October, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The southern state of Kerala has also been ravaged by heavy rains and floods, with at least 38 deaths reported in recent days.
At least 11 more people are still missing in Uttarakhand, the State Emergency Operation Center said.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said it has rescued more than 300 people and has 15 teams still engaged in relief operations in Uttarakhand.
The worst-hit area is the district of Nainital, which was cut off for hours due to landslides and heavy damage, and has seen at least 28 deaths.
The met department has hinted at a “significant reduction” in rainfall from Wednesday, predicting “isolated and light showers” in parts of the state over the coming days.
However, Pushkar Singh Dhami, chief minister of Uttarakhand, acknowledged that “it will take time to return to normalcy” after days of “massive damage.”​​​​​​​

Days of relentless downpour triggered floods that have washed away homes, roads, bridges in Uttarakhand

Some 122 millimeters of rainfall were recorded in Uttarakhand between Monday and Tuesday

At least 46 killed as rains, floods ravage northern Indian state

The Ethiopian government launched airstrikes on the capital of the troubled Tigray region on Monday, witnesses and state media confirmed.

The rebel group Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) claimed three civilians were killed in the attack on a market in Mekelle.
However, there was no mention of any fatalities in a report by the state-run Ethiopian Press Agency, which said the airstrikes targeted a TPLF communication facility “with the utmost precision to prevent civilian casualties.”
Other local news outlets said a busy Mekelle market, located next to a hotel that housed international aid workers, was hit in the air raid.
Getachew Reda, a senior TPLF official, accused the Ethiopian government of targeting innocent civilians in its bid to wrest control of territory taken by the TPLF.
- [Prime Minister] Abiy Ahmed’s ‘Air Force’ sent its bomber jet to attack civilian targets in and outside Mekelle. Monday is market day in Mekelle and the intention is all too palpable - he said on Twitter.
- While they are losing big in what they dubbed a final offensive against Tigray, they will obviously continue to target civilians in a desperate move to exact revenge on the people of Tigray.-Getachew, a former Ethiopian communications minister, alleged that one of the targets in Monday’s strikes was “the Planet Hotel where a dozen or so humanitarian agencies used to have their employees.”
- Our people won’t be cowed into submission by a desperate move by a desperate regime teetering on the brink of collapse - he asserted.
A doctor in Mekelle, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on the condition of anonymity, also confirmed the attack.
- There were a lot of people shopping [at the market], people have shared photos of the destruction on social media too. Over a dozen people were injured but not all were seriously hurt - he said.
Other witnesses told Anadolu Agency that the targeted area was littered with debris and there were bloodstains splattered on walls and pavements.

The Ethiopian government accused the TPLF of putting civilians on the frontline of the Tigray conflict by relying on “human wave” tactics.

A spokesman warned that the government would be forced to adopt a similar strategy against the rebels.
- TPLF forces have been deploying human waves to fight their war … and human waves can be defeated by human waves, though primitive - Legesse Tulu, head of Ethiopia’s Government Communication Service, said at a news conference.
He said the TPLF sends “a swarm of civilians with light weapons and sickles … followed by groups with medium weapons and trailed by mechanized forces.”
Legesse admitted that the rebels have captured more areas in Amhara’s South Wollo region, including the historic Wuchale city, and are now eyeing the commercial towns of Dessie and Kombolcha.
A resident of Dessie, which is some 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Wuchale, told Anadolu Agency that the town’s population is confused and fearful.
- We were expecting the army to liberate our town, but here we are with the rebels at our doorstep - said the resident, requesting anonymity.
- We don’t know what is really happening - she said, calling for swift government action and warning that “Dessie is already heaving with the burden of displaced people.”
Since fighting started last November, the Tigray conflict has internally displaced more than 2 million people in Ethiopia, while tens of thousands more have fled to neighboring Sudan.

Rebels, witnesses say airstrikes hit market in Mekelle, state media reports TPLF communication facility was targeted

Units of Ethiopian army patrol the streets of Mekelle city of the Tigray region, in northern Ethiopia after the city was captured with an operation towards Tigray People's Liberation Front

Ethiopia launches airstrikes on Tigray capital, rebels claim 3 civilians killed

Russia is not considering recognizing the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the country's foreign minister reiterated on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference in Sochi, Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is in contact with the Taliban and encourages them to fulfill their commitments, including forming an inclusive government.
- Russia has already stated its position on the Taliban: we are in contact with them, and we encourage them to carry out the statements they made when they came to power, including ensuring the inclusiveness of the government not only by ethnic but also by political principle so that the whole spectrum of political beliefs of society is reflected in the composition of the government. Official recognition has not been discussed, and this has been publicly stated - he said.
Lavrov had made similar remarks at the UN in September, saying: "The question of international recognition of the Taliban at the present juncture is not on the table."
A Moscow format meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled on Wednesday, which, according to the Foreign Ministry, will focus on the developing political and military situation in the country.
Participants of the talks – representatives of 10 countries and the Taliban – plan to make a joint statement after the session, it added.
Separately, a Kremlin statement said President Vladimir Putin discussed Afghanistan and other matters in a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Putin also informed Draghi that he will take part in the G20 meeting via video conference, the statement said.
On Oct. 13, speaking at the Russian Energy Week, Putin said that over a hundred people come along when he goes anywhere, including the press service, security guards, drivers, protocol staff. He noted that those people could get exposed to the coronavirus and so he has to think about the staff when making decisions on attending meetings.

Foreign minister urges group to fulfill promises made after coming into power

Russia is not considering recognizing the Taliban government in Afghanistan

Russia says not considering to recognize Taliban

Pakistan’s navy claims it “detected and blocked” an Indian submarine from entering Pakistani territorial waters in the northern part of the Arabian Sea this past Saturday.

This is the third attempted incursion by an Indian submarine thwarted by Pakistan since 2016, the navy said in a statement on Tuesday.
- Pakistan Navy with its unremitting vigilance and professional competence has once again detected and blocked the Indian submarine on Oct. 16 from entering into Pakistani waters - read the statement.
It said the Indian vessel was “prematurely detected and tracked by [Pakistan Navy] long-range maritime patrol aircraft.”
- During the prevailing security milieu, a strict monitoring watch has been kept by Pakistan Navy to safeguard maritime frontier of Pakistan - the statement added.
A video released with the statement showed infrared footage of a submarine mast on Oct. 16 between 11:18 p.m. and 11:36 p.m. (1818GMT and 1836GMT).
Pakistan’s navy claims to have foiled previous such attempts by Indian submarines in 2016 and 2019, but India has rejected the claims.
There has been no response from the Indian government on the latest accusation.
Officials of India’s Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and navy also did not respond to Anadolu Agency’s requests for comment.
Nuclear rivals and neighbors Pakistan and India have been locked in a string of disputes since the division of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, the most prominent being over the Himalayan valley of Jammu and Kashmir.
Both hold parts of the region but claim it in full, while a small sliver of Kashmir is also under Chinese control.
Pakistan and India have fought three full-scale wars – in 1948, 1965, and 1971 – and two of them were over Kashmir.
Already fraught relations between the neighbors further plummeted after New Delhi scrapped the special status of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in Aug. 2019.
The controversial move prompted Islamabad to downgrade its diplomatic relations and halt trade with New Delhi.

Navy says this is 3rd time an Indian submarine has been detected in Pakistani waters, Indian government yet to respond

There has been no response from the Indian government on the latest accusation

Pakistan claims it "detected, blocked" Indian submarine incursion

The Lebanese parliament voted on Tuesday, to set March 27 as the date for holding the country’s parliamentary elections, instead of May 8.

With the exception of the Strong Lebanon bloc (which holds 23 of the 128-seat assembly), all parliamentary blocs approved a law for holding early elections, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent.
On Oct. 7, a joint parliamentary committee recommended that elections should be held on March 27 for technical reasons and ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, which will start in April.
On Sept. 10, a new Lebanese government was formed 13 months after the Cabinet of Hassan Diab resigned following the horrific blast in the Port of Beirut in August 2020.
Since late 2019, Lebanon has grappled with some of the severest domestic challenges including currency devaluation which lost almost all of its value against the dollar, along with shortages of fuel and medicine.

Date changed from May 8 to March 27

With the exception of the Strong Lebanon bloc (which holds 23 of the 128-seat assembly), all parliamentary blocs approved a law for holding early elections

Lebanon sets March 27 for parliamentary elections

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said on Tuesday that he agreed with his US, Emirati, and Indian counterparts to establish a forum for economic cooperation.

Lapid tweeted that he and his counterparts met in a virtual meeting and "decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation."
The four ministers "discussed possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in a wide range of fields," he added.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the virtual meeting with Lapid, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, saying they discussed "shared issues of concern in the region and globally."
On Monday, Lapid met with Jaishankar in Jerusalem where both agreed to resume talks on a bilateral free trade agreement.
On Sept. 15, 2020, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain signed a US-sponsored deal to normalize relations, followed by Sudan, and Morocco.

Four countries discuss possibilities for joint infrastructure projects

Israel, UAE, US, India to form joint economic forum

At least 43 people were killed when suspected gunmen stormed a marketplace in northern Nigeria on Monday, according to a local official.

- We just finished a meeting with some stakeholders, and I have confirmed that we unfortunately lost 43 people to that incident - Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto state, said in a statement.
Tambuwal said security forces were dispatched to the region, adding more forces should be deployed to deal with security problems.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the incident, saying the days of those responsible for the attack are numbered.
Earlier, Sokoto government spokesman Muhammad Bello said the assault was carried out by unidentified attackers in the Goronyo region.
He said the attack also left many wounded.
Sokoto is often targeted by armed groups. Twenty people were killed and many others wounded in a similar armed attack on Oct. 10.
In another deadly attack on Oct. 8, 11 people were killed, including children and a mosque imam, and others wounded when suspected gunmen from the outlawed Yan Sakai vigilante group stormed a market in Mamande village in the Gwadabawa local government area of the state.

Nigerian president says days of those responsible for attack are numbered

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the incident

Gunmen kill at least 43 in northern Nigeria

The European Medicine Agency (EMA) started on Monday to evaluate if BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be given to children aged 5 to 11 years old.

- EMA’s human medicines committee will review the data on the vaccine, including results from an ongoing clinical study involving children aged 5 to 11, in order to decide whether to recommend extending its use - the EU agency wrote in a press statement.
According to the current recommendation of the EU regulator, children aged 12 and above can receive BioNTech jabs.
The EMA expects to publish the results in a few months.
BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine was the first COVID-19 jabs authorized by the bloc in December 2020.
The EU financially contributed to the development of the vaccine under an advanced purchased agreement.
To provide booster jabs, the European Commission agreed in May with Pfizer/BioNTech to purchase another 1.8 billion doses for the years 2022 and 2023, in addition to the 600 million doses received this year.
The jab uses an innovative technique, messenger RNA, or mRNA, with instructions to produce a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19 to prepare the body to fight the disease.
Contrary to traditional vaccines, BioNTech/Pfizer does not contain the virus itself.

European Medicine Agency to assess if children aged 5 to 11 can receive COVID-19 shots

According to the current recommendation of the EU regulator, children aged 12 and above can receive BioNTech jabs

EU drugs agency examines BioNTech vaccines for children under 12

Russia suspends its mission to NATO after the alliance’s decision to cancel the accreditation of its eight personnel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.

- Practically as a result of purposeful steps on the part of NATO, we lack proper conditions for elementary diplomatic activity, and in response to NATO's actions, we suspend the work of our permanent mission to NATO, including the work of the chief military representative, planning from November 1, or maybe it will take a few more days - he said.
The work of the NATO mission to Russia will be also suspended from Nov. 1, the minister said at a news conference in Moscow.
- We are suspending the activities of the NATO military mission in Moscow, the accreditation of its employees is revoked from November 1 of this year - he said.
After Lavrov’s announcement, the Foreign Ministry published a statement, saying the Russian ambassador to Belgium is authorized to maintain emergency contacts with the NATO headquarters.
NATO can choose one of the ambassadors of its member countries in Moscow to perform similar duties, it said.
On Oct. 6, NATO closed two vacant positions and canceled the accreditation of eight members of the Russian mission, claiming that they were "undeclared Russian intelligence officers."
A NATO official said the alliance reduced the number of positions Russia can accredit from 20 to 10, while declaring "openness for a meaningful dialogue."

Russian foreign minister says Russian mission cannot work properly after NATO revoked accreditation of 8 employees

The work of the NATO mission to Russia will be also suspended from Nov. 1

Russia suspends work of its mission to NATO from Nov. 1

Iraqi President Barham Salih on Monday called on all political parties to respect the results of the country’s parliamentary elections.


In a statement, Salih urged those disputing the vote results to pursue “legal” and “peaceful” means in doing so.
- Iraq is going through a delicate circumstance and faces grave challenges and major national entitlements,” Salih said. He called for unity and the prioritization of “the language of dialogue” and the interests of the country as well as meeting the “aspirations of Iraqis for a free and dignified life.-Salih’s remarks came as influential Iran-linked Shia factions rejected the preliminary results of the Oct. 10 polls, including Al-Fatah coalition – affiliated with the Hashd al-Shaabi militia – and the Iraqi Civil Front of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
The polls saw 3,249 candidates representing 21 coalitions and 109 parties vying for seats in the 329-member parliament, with a 43% voter turnout.
Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's party won 73 seats in parliament, the highest, followed by Taqaddum bloc of Parliament Speaker Mohamed Halbousi with 37 and the State of Law Coalition led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki with 34 seats.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party also won 32 seats, the Azem Alliance of Iraqi millionaire Khamis Khanjar won 12 seats, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan got 16 seats, the Al-Fatah Coalition won 17 seats, the Imtidad Movement and the New Generation Movement got 9 seats each, while independents won 40 seats.
Allawi’s party, meanwhile, boycotted the vote.
Salih called for "respect of the will of the people and the constitutional process”, saying challenging the results should be done within “the legal and peaceful context (and) without compromising the security of the people, their properties, and that of the country."
The elections were originally scheduled for 2022, but political parties decided to hold early elections following mass protests that erupted in 2019 against deep-seated corruption and poor governance.

A number of Shia factions rejected vote results

The polls saw 3,249 candidates representing 21 coalitions and 109 parties vying for seats in the 329-member parliament, with a 43% voter turnout

Japan’s ex-minister accepts 3-year jail term over vote buying

Southern African nations deploy envoys to Eswatini as unrest escalates

New Zealand strikes "historic" free trade deal with UK

Stoltenberg: NATO stands in solidarity with allies against 'hybrid' threat from Belarus

Taliban patrol team targeted in Kabul grenade attack

Moscow format talks on Afghanistan begin

At least 46 killed as rains, floods ravage northern Indian state

Ethiopia launches airstrikes on Tigray capital, rebels claim 3 civilians killed

Russia says not considering to recognize Taliban

Pakistan claims it "detected, blocked" Indian submarine incursion

Lebanon sets March 27 for parliamentary elections

Israel, UAE, US, India to form joint economic forum

Gunmen kill at least 43 in northern Nigeria

EU drugs agency examines BioNTech vaccines for children under 12

Russia suspends work of its mission to NATO from Nov. 1

Iraqi president calls to respect election results

World

Japan’s ex-minister accepts 3-year jail term over vote buying

Southern African nations deploy envoys to Eswatini as unrest escalates

New Zealand strikes "historic" free trade deal with UK

Stoltenberg: NATO stands in solidarity with allies against 'hybrid' threat from Belarus

Taliban patrol team targeted in Kabul grenade attack

Moscow format talks on Afghanistan begin

At least 46 killed as rains, floods ravage northern Indian state

Ethiopia launches airstrikes on Tigray capital, rebels claim 3 civilians killed

Russia says not considering to recognize Taliban

Pakistan claims it "detected, blocked" Indian submarine incursion

Lebanon sets March 27 for parliamentary elections

Israel, UAE, US, India to form joint economic forum

Gunmen kill at least 43 in northern Nigeria

EU drugs agency examines BioNTech vaccines for children under 12

Russia suspends work of its mission to NATO from Nov. 1

Iraqi president calls to respect election results