Domestic Politics

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned more than 4,800 people wanted or convicted of illegal cannabis cultivation. This was reported by the Moroccan newspaper Le Matin and the French news agency AFP on Monday evening (19 August), citing the North African country's justice ministry. The pardoned farmers simply met the 'conditions for pardon', the ministry said, explaining the decision.

Belarus said on Monday (19 August) that it had sent more troops to its border with Ukraine. A day earlier, President Alexander Lukashenko said nearly a third of the Belarusian army was stationed on the border, although he did not give exact figures. Belarusian General Andrei Lukyanovich said this included anti-aircraft troops.

Croatia reintroduces a two-month military service from next year. The country is taking the measure because of heightened tensions in Europe and the Balkans following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Morocco is pushing ahead with the development of high-speed rail. Morocco plans to launch a tender to study the project of a high-speed rail link between Fez and Rabat, with a stop in Meknes. Meknes is one of the cities that will be used for team training and accommodation during the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Social Affairs Minister Kamel Maddouri has been appointed Tunisia's new prime minister, according to a statement from the presidency. President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani on Wednesday, just one year after he was appointed.

The Council of the European Union decided on Monday (5 August) to impose restrictive measures against a further 28 individuals for their role in the ongoing internal repression and human rights violations in Belarus. These sanctions are adopted ahead of the fourth anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections in August 2020. 

A polio epidemic has broken out in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. This was feared after the polio virus was found in sewage samples earlier this month. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) top official, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said last week that an outbreak was only a matter of time.

Russian prosecutors on Wednesday (10 July) declared The Moscow Times newspaper 'undesirable' for its coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and deepening the Kremlin's crackdown on independent journalism. This was reported by The Moscow Times itself. This stamp ensures that anyone working with or connected to the organisation can be prosecuted for it.