Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.

Al-Arabia – At least 50 people were arrested in three major Iranian cities on Thursday for alleged links to the recent anti-government protests in the country, state media reported citing local authorities. Western Tehran’s police chief Mohsen Khancharli said that 30 of the “main” individuals behind the recent “riots and unrest in Western Tehran” have been arrested. The arrestees “engaged …

Al-Arabia – Protesters have gathered outside the Central Bank in the Lebanese city of Zahle in protest at the bank’s policies amid the ongoing political and economic crisis in the country, reported the Lebanese channel LBC on Friday. In the capital Beirut, young men attempted to block entry to the Ministry of Finance’s TVA building, reported the National News Agency …

Al-Arabia – Iraq’s top Shiite cleric on Friday condemned the use of lethal force against protesters and urged demonstrators to reject acts of violence and vandalism, warning against another spiral of violence as demonstrations continued across the country. “Attacks against peaceful protesters are forbidden,” a representative of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said, addressing worshippers at Friday prayer in Karbala. Protesters “must …

VOA- Iraqi security forces used live ammunition against mostly unarmed demonstrators Thursday, killing at least 40 people in one of the bloodiest days since anti-government protests began last month, security and medical officials said.  At least 25 people were killed and more than 200 wounded when security forces opened fire on protesters who had blocked key roads and bridges in the …

VOA – Iran on Thursday condemned the burning of its consulate in southern Iraq hours earlier, which came amid an escalation in Iraq’s anti-government protests that erupted nearly two months ago.                    Violence across southern Iraq had continued throughout the night, with security forces killing 16 protesters and wounded 90 since Wednesday. Protesters closed roads while a large number of …