Monday, September 27, 2021

*) Social Democrats beat Merkel bloc in German vote Germany's centre-left Social Democrats have narrowly won the general election, beating Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives. Election officials said early Monday that a count of all 299 constituencies showed the Social Democrats won 25.9 percent of the vote with the Union bloc carrying 24.1 percent. The environmentalist Greens came third with 14.8 percent followed by pro-business Free Democrats with 11.5 percent, making both parties potential kingmakers. *) Israeli troops kill 5 Palestinians in occupied West Bank raids Israeli troops conducted a series of raids in the occupied West Bank, killing five Palestinians. The night raids were carried out in five different regions on Sunday, including the village of Beyt Anan near Ramallah and in towns of Jenin, local media reported. Israel claimed that the wave of arrests targeted a Hamas cell that Israeli security forces had been following for several days. *) Taliban asks airlines to resume international flights to Afghanistan The Taliban in Afghanistan has appealed for international flights to be resumed, promising full cooperation with airlines. The statement comes as the interim regime continues efforts to gain international acceptance. The Taliban officials said the suspension has left many Afghans stranded abroad and is also preventing people from travelling. *) Mass protest as Tunisia political crisis escalates Hundreds of people took to the streets of Tunisia's capital to protest President Kais Saied's recent decrees bolstering the already near-total power he granted himself two months ago. This includes the continuing suspension of Parliament’s powers as well as ending lawmakers' immunity from prosecution. In July, Saied assumed executive authority in a move widely seen as a coup. And finally… *) 'Moulin Rouge!' wins big as Tony Awards return to Broadway Broadway has finally honoured its best and brightest at the Tonys, with jukebox musical "Moulin Rouge!" bagging 10 trophies. "Moulin