Israel launches Palestinians-only buses

Two Palestinians-only bus lines were launched by Israel at the beginning of the week (photo AFP)

Two Palestinians-only bus lines have been launched by Israel in the occupied West Bank, a move described as racist by an Israeli rights group.

The Transport Ministry said it was an improvement in service.

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Saudi men get text alert when ‘dependants’ leave

Saudi Arabia has long been criticised regarding its women rights. In the Muslim country women cannot travel without the consent of their male ‘guardians’ and are now monitored by an electronic system at airports.

If a woman crosses the border a new system will automatically send a text message to the men in order to inform them that the woman is leaving or entering the country, even if the man is travelling with her.

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Adopt an Italian gargoyle to help renovate a cathedral

135 gargoyles are up for adoption at the Milan’s main cathedral (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk), the fourth-largest cathedral in the world.

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Thousands rally in Ireland demanding new abortion law after tragedy

Several thousand people have gathered on Saturday in the Republic of Ireland to demand changes to the country’s abortion law, following the death of Savita Halappanavar.

The largest demonstrations took place in Dublin (photo, from dailymail.co.uk) where more than 4,000 people marched to the Irish parliament for a candle-lit vigil and held one minute silence. In Galway, where Mrs Halappanavar lived, more than 1,000 gathered for a vigil in Eyre Square, and some 60 members of the Indian community rallied outside the hospital and held two minutes of silent prayers.

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Thousands protest for women’s rights in Tunisia

On Monday evening, the end of the daytime fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan marked the start of a protest in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

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Saudi women to compete in Games

Two Saudi women will compete in the London 2012 Games, said the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Sarah Attar (photo, from bbc.co.uk) will compete in the 800m and Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrakhani in the judo competition above 78kg.

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Advertisers desert Limbaugh’s radio show over ‘slut’ comment

After calling a 30-year-old law student “a slut” and “a prostitute” over her opinion on contraception, several advertisers have deserted US radio host Rush Limbaugh (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk).

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Afghan woman strangled after giving birth to third daughter

A woman in Afghanistan has been arrested for allegedly strangling her 22-year old daughter-in-law two days ago in the village of Mahfalay, inKunduz province (map, from bbcimg.co.uk), for giving birth to a third daughter.

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Israel : clashes over gender segregation in Beit Shemesh

Clashes took place on Sunday and Monday between ultra-Orthodox Jews and police in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh (photo from bbcimg.co.uk), near Jerusalem, leaving a police officer slightly hurt and a number of Orthodox Jews detained, according to reports.

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Last US troops leave Iraq

After nearly nine years of war, the last convoy of US troops left Iraq, completing their withdrawal from the country. About 100 armoured vehicles carrying 500 soldiers crossed the southern Iraqi border into Kuwait overnight. (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk)

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