Iraq Supreme Court Orders Suspension of Kurdistan Referendum

Iraq's Supreme Court on Monday ordered the suspension of a September 25 referendum on the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan, to examine whether such a poll would be constitutional.

Panama Papers: Pakistan Supreme Court Disqualifies Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from his position as leader of the country's government.

Egypt court rules against Red Sea islands transfer to Saudi Arabia

An Egyptian administrative court on Tuesday ruled that previous judicial decisions in favour of transferring two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia were invalid, a judicial official and a lawyer said.

Egypt's High Administrative Court rejects govt appeal on Red Sea islands deal, confirms Egyptian sovereignty

Egypt’s High Administrative Court upheld on Monday a June decision affirming Egyptian sovereignty over the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir, rejecting a government appeal against the June decision.

Israeli MPs approve draft bill to legalise settlements

Israel's parliament has approved a draft bill that could legalise thousands of Jewish homes built on privately-owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, a measure that has drawn condemnation by left-wing MPs and Israel's closest ally, the United States.

Israeli bill to recognize West Bank outposts

An Israeli committee on Sunday approved a bill that if adopted would legalize outposts built without government permission in the West Bank, territory Palestinians demand for their future state.

Venezuela's supreme court tightens conditions for recall referendum against Maduro

Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) late on Monday tightened the conditions for a recall referendum to be called against President Nicolas Maduro.

Turkish Supreme Court allows couple to name their baby girl Kürdistan. ‘Historic decision’

The Supreme Court upheld an appeal allowing a Kurdish couple to name their baby girl "Kürdistan" on July 13.

“Every person is obligated to have a name. The right of choosing a name that identifies with the person’s life and becomes an indistinguishable part of its personality is a fundamental individual right, guaranteed by the Constitution,” the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

A local civil registry had filed a complaint in 2011 against the Toprak family living in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa’s Hilvan district on the basis that the name could “offend the society.” The local court ruled in favor of the complainant, changing the baby girl’s name to “Helin.”

“According to the laws, the right of naming their children belongs to the parents. The fact that the name has a foreign origin does not justify that it has to change. Furthermore, a court cannot legally change the name ex officio to Helin, removing the use of an individual right,” the Supreme Court’s ruling also said.