Politics
TheIsraeli Knesset passed the first in a series of laws aimed at drastically limiting the powers of Israel’s Supreme Court. Members of the opposition walked out in protest at the final reading of the bill, which passed 64-0 in the 120-strong chamber. The legislation significantly curtails the court’s ability to review government decisions on the ground of “reasonableness”. The White House criticised the law, saying it was “unfortunate”. Israel’s credit rating was downgraded. The Supreme Court has said it will hear petitions against the bill after the summer recess.
Soldiers staged a coup in Niger, the Sahelian country most closely aligned to the West, and said that Mohamed Bazoum had been removed as president. Two of Niger’s neighbouring countries, Burkina Faso and Mali, have each had two coups since 2020.
Russia complained that Western pressure had dissuaded most African leaders from attending a Russia-Africa summit this week in St Petersburg, to the chagrin of President Vladimir Putin. Only 17 African heads of state and government (out of 54) were reported to have made the trip.
2023-07-27 10:12:48
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