US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
U.S. Considers Terrorism-Related Sanctions on UNRWA Amid Legal and Humanitarian Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Musk Says Trump’s DOGE Initiative Fell Short and He Wouldn’t Lead It Again 
U.S. Bomber Flights Over Sea of Japan Signal Strong Alliance With Tokyo Amid China-Russia Drills 
Trump Says Gaza Board of Peace Lineup to Be Revealed Early Next Year 
Ukraine and U.S. Officials Align on Key Post-War Reconstruction Plan, Zelenskiy Says 
China Adds Domestic AI Chips to Government Procurement List as U.S. Considers Easing Nvidia Export Curbs 
Thailand Moves Toward Early Elections After Parliament Dissolution 
U.S. Condemns Houthi Detention of Yemen Embassy Staff 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Venezuela Condemns U.S. Seizure of Sanctioned Oil Tanker as Tensions Escalate 
Bolsonaro’s Defense Requests Hospital Transfer and Humanitarian House Arrest 
Trump Plans Call With Thailand and Cambodia to Ease Rising Border Tensions 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Political tensions remain high in Iraq as its government remains at a standstill. The top judicial body of the country responded to Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s warning, saying it has no authority to dissolve parliament.
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council responded to the call of Sadr to dissolve parliament, saying that it has no authority to make such a decision. Sadr previously warned to dissolve parliament for new elections to take place. The council said it has no authority to interfere in the executive and legislative decisions.
The council said in its statement, however, that it agrees with Sadr’s criticism of the system’s “failure to elect a president of the republic, a prime minister, and the absence of a government formed within a constitutional timeframe.”
“This is an unacceptable situation that must be remedied,” said the statement.
The response by the judiciary would likely escalate tensions between Sadr’s supporters and the Iran-backed groups under the Coordination Framework. Sadr’s supporters stormed parliament to suspend a session that would nominate a new prime minister.
Sadr’s bloc won the most seats in the October elections last year. However, the bloc fell short of having a majority that could exclude the pro-Iran lawmakers. Sadr and his lawmakers resigned from parliament after eight months of deadlock.
Sadr also called on his supporters Saturday night to be ready to hold massive protests all over the country, which would increase tensions in its political climate. Sadr did not specify the date of when the protests would take place.
Along with the supporters of Sadr, those who support the pro-Iran groups have also taken to the streets to protest, insisting that a new government be formed based on the results of the elections back in October.
The protests appear to underline the political divisions in the country, with fears of unrest increasing from the recent protests and counter-protests.
The populist Sadr has been looking to strengthen ties with Arab nations, including Iran’s rival in the region, Saudi Arabia. Sadr has also been critical of the widespread corruption in the country, plagued by the US-led war and the violence that followed.
