BRUSSELS: The family of a Belgian aid worker being held in Iran, Olivier Vandecasteele, pleaded Monday for their government to do “everything necessary” to secure his release.
“Even though he’s innocent, he has been rotting away for nearly five months in total solitary confinement,” his sister Nathalie Vandercasteele said in a video released to media.
“Today Olivier needs your support… It is unthinkable for our family that our democratic Belgium isn’t doing everything necessary to get innocent prisoners out of countries like Iran,” she said.

AMMAN: Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh stressed that Jordan has key observations on Tehran’s handling of some issues in the Middle East, Petra News Agency reported on Monday.

In an interview with the BBC Arabic’s Murad Shishani, the prime minister added Jordan’s observations also include Iran’s intervention in neighboring countries, including the Gulf, whose national security are considered integral to Jordan’s national security.

TUNIS: Children’s cries echo through the alleyways as they hunt for hidden treasure — part of growing efforts to bring life back to the Old City of Tunis.
While parts of the ninth-century medina are packed with tourists during the day, it is largely deserted at night and at the weekend.
Writer Hatem Bourial said the medina, one of the first cities built after the Muslim conquests of North Africa and home to the renowned Zitouna Mosque, has a deep “emotional charge.”

LONDON: Thousands of families are flocking to Gaza’s beaches this summer as the coastline becomes the territory’s foremost recreational outlet.For the first time in years, most of the Gaza Strip’s coastline is clean enough to swim in, thanks to a concerted sewage cleanup effort.

“We didn’t come for seven years because the water was not safe. Now it looks so much better … The color is different, more blue. This is our second beach day this year,” said Nabila Haniya told the Guardian.

KUWAIT CITY: Ahmadi police in Kuwait discovered the body of a child who had been missing for a few days, according to the Interior Ministry.

Investigations revealed that he was murdered by a family member.

Police were able to locate the crime scene after conducting intensive investigations and discovered that the suspect had murdered and buried the child, according to a statement released by the ministry on Sunday.

The suspect is in police custody and will face legal proceedings as the case is still under investigation, the ministry added.