Habib Siddiqui

  Associated Press (AP) — Bola Tinubu became Nigeria’s president on Monday during a period of unprecedented challenges for Africa’s most populous country, leaving some citizens hopeful for a better life and others skeptical that his government would perform better than the one he succeeded. Thousands of Nigerians and several heads of government attended the swearing-in ceremony for the 71-year-old Tinubu in the country’s capital, Abuja. He succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari to lead a country that by 2050 is forecast to become the third most populous nation in the world, tied with the United States after India and China. Tinubu — the former governor of Lagos, which is Nigeria’s economic hub — has promised to build on Buhari’s efforts to deliver democratic dividends to citizens in a country where deadly security crises, widespread poverty and hunger have left many frustrated and angry. And with his election still being contested in court by opposition parties and among many young Ni...

  GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Shootings and arson continued Monday in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, where clashes between security forces and tribal insurgents the previous day killed five people, media reports said. The state, which borders Myanmar, has been roiled by violence for weeks after members of mostly Christian tribal groups clashed with the Hindu majority over its demands for special economic benefits. More than 75 people have been killed in the fighting, the state’s worst ethnic clashes in decades. Hundreds have been injured and more than 35,000 have been displaced. Authorities said Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was expected to arrive in the state capital, Imphal, on Monday evening to review the security situation and help restore peace in the state, where the internet has been shut off to stop rumors from spreading and a curfew is in place. The violence prompted the federal government to rush thousands of paramilitary and army troops to the state, and many of the ...

  New Delhi:  Violence continued in  Manipur on Sunday, with at least six civilians killed in firing by unidentified shooters in Sugnu and Phayend early in the morning,   The Frontier Manipur  reported . Two police commandoes were also killed, according to the report. News18 too reported  that fresh violence and an “encounter” between security forces and “armed miscreants” had taken place in different areas, with the injured being taken to a hospital in Churachandpur. Chief minister N. Biren Singh told reporters that security forces have been conducting encounters against armed insurgents and “40 terrorists” have been shot dead. “The terrorists have been using M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles and sniper guns against civilians. They came to many villages to burn down homes. We have started taking very strong action against them with the help of the army and other security forces. We have got reports some 40 terrorists have been shot dead,”  NDTV quoted ...

  The latest Tripoli fighting comes after drone strikes ordered by Dbeibah's government near the western city of Zawiya, claimed to be on targets connected to fuel and drug smuggling and people trafficking. Gunshots rang out in  Libya's capital  early Monday following hours of fighting between  two armed groups  both aligned with the divided country's UN-backed government, local medics and media reported. Several residents in  Tripoli  were lightly wounded in the clashes which began Sunday night and spread across several neighbourhoods. Fighters from rival militias -- the Al-Raada Force and the 444 Brigade, both of which are loyal to interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah's Tripoli-based government -- clashed after a member of the 444 Brigade was arrested. Libyan television and online media showed videos of the fighting posted online by social media users. An elderly man "was injured in the arm by shrapnel as he fled his home in Ain Zara by car", th...

  Recep Tayyip Erdogan   was re-elected   for a third presidential term on Sunday, prompting his supporters to take to the streets in jubilation. With his win secure, Erdogan addressed some of the things he plans to do in the near future. Yet, amid the celebrations, he nonetheless faces significant challenges, including: addressing the economic crisis, finding solutions for the refugee crisis, and securing victory in the upcoming municipal elections in 10 months' time. That's just on the domestic front. As for foreign policy,  Turkey's  western allies are urging Erdogan to ratify Sweden's Nato membership before a summit in Vilnius on 11 July, an issue linked to Turkey's need for F-16 warplanes. Middle East Eye takes a look at five of Erdogan's most pressing challenges: Last week, Turkey's Central Bank reported negative net foreign exchange reserves for the first time since 2002, with a balance of $151.3m in the red as of 19 May. Erdogan has managed to financ...

  The Israeli minister’s visits have deep roots in religious Zionism. But his approach is now finding new takers too. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visiting the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City on May 21, 2023 [Temple Mount Administration/Handout via Reuters] By  Eliyahu Freedman Itamar Ben-Gvir’s second visit to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as Israel’s national security minister on May 21 represents a dangerous mix of religion and politics. Ben-Gvir was seen standing and reading off his phone, apparently in prayer. Such an act would be forbidden under the current “status quo” governing Al-Aqsa, referred to as the Temple Mount or Har Habayit by Jews, even though a small group of Orthodox Jews is increasingly finding ways to pray on the holy site. Shortly after his morning visit, Ben-Gvir tweeted: “Hamas’ threats don’t intimidate us. I ascended to Har Habayit! Jerusalem is our soul, the Negev and Galil is our spirit and we have to act on beha...