News in Brief - Thu, July, 30, 2015 - 21:30 GMT

1. In Turkey, prosecutors have opened a probe against the leader of the pro-Kurdish opposition party over charges related to deadly protests in October 20-14. H-D-P Head Selahattin Demirtash is accused of inciting people to take up arms during the protests. He could face up to 24 years in jail if convicted.
2. Chadian MPs are prepared to vote on a controversial anti-terror bill aimed at boosting security in the African state. The bill's vague definition of "terrorism" has raised concerns among the country's opposition and activists. They say the bill would open civil groups to repression under the cover of fighting terrorism.
3. Pakistan says the second round of peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban has been postponed as the Afghan insurgents say they won't attend the negotiations. The planned talks were also affected by the announcement of Taliban leader's death. There's been no word on a new date for the talks.
4. An inferno at a shopping mall in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas has killed at least three people and injured dozens more. There have been no reports about the cause of the fire that destroyed parts of the mall. An investigation has been launched into the incident.
5. Britain has lifted sanctions on two Iranian oil companies. The U-K Treasury says it has taken Petropars Aria Kish Operation and Management, and Petropars Resources Engineering Kish off its sanctions list. This after a ruling by the EU General Court in favor of the companies.
6. Palestinians have slammed a decision by Israeli Knesset that authorizes the force-feeding of Palestinian inmates on hunger strike. Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas says the move is against international law and a crime against humanity. The head of Palestinian Prisoner’s Affairs also said the measure amounts to legalizing murder.

7. The U-S State Department has approved Saudi Arabia’s request for buying 600 Patriot missiles worth five-point-four billion dollars. This is the second time this year that Riyadh purchases Patriot missiles from the U-S. In 20-14, Saudi Arabia was recognized as the world’s largest importer of weapons, with the U-S as its major provider.

8. Saudi Arabia’s blockade on Yemen is claiming no less lives than its war on the impoverished country. That’s according to the head of the aid group Doctors Without Borders, who is now on a trip to Yemen. This is the latest warning on the appalling humanitarian situation there.

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