*) Ramadan's first night at Al Aqsa Mosque

Muslims globally observed the Tarawih prayer on the first night of Ramadan, yet celebrations are overshadowed by sadness as Israel’s brutal war on Palestinians in Gaza persists. 

In occupied East Jerusalem, at Al Aqsa Mosque Compound, the world's third-holiest site for Muslims, there were fewer worshipers amid access restrictions imposed by the Israeli police.

Some Palestinians prayed outside in the streets of the Old City, as Israel's war on besieged Gaza has killed at least 31,045 people, mostly children and women.

*)  Sudan army general rules out Ramadan truce unless RSF leaves civilian sites

Meanwhile, in Sudan, the government says there would be no truce in the holy month of Ramadan unless the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group leaves the homes and sites of civilians.

The statement follows an appeal by the United Nations Security Council for a truce during Ramadan. 

For its part, the paramilitary RSF said it welcomed the ceasefire call but senior Sudanese armed forces General Yasser al Atta called for the withdrawal of RSF first.

The fighting between Sudan's army and the RSF erupted in mid-April 2023 amid tensions over a plan for transition to civilian rule. 

*) Pakistan's Zardari sworn in for second term as president



Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari has taken the oath of office, becoming the first-ever civilian to serve a second term in the country's highest office.

Zardari served as president from 2008 to 2013 under his own party's government.

He took the oath of office during a ceremony at the Presidency in the capital Islamabad, attended by officials such as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the three armed services chiefs.

*) Portugal shifts right in election amidst populist surge

Also in election news, Portugal's main centre-right party has narrowly defeated the incumbent Socialists but fell well short of a majority in a general election. 

Near-complete official results have shown that the centre-right Democratic Alliance captured 29.49 percent of the vote, just ahead of the Socialists, with 28.66 percent.

The result marks another advance for the populist far right in Europe, where they already govern in countries such as Italy, Hungary and Slovakia, or are steadily gaining, as in France and Germany.

And finally…

*) Oppenheimer dominates 96th Academy Awards, winning 7 Oscars

Oppenheimer has blown up the 2024 Academy Awards in Hollywood, taking home seven Oscars, including the grand prize for Best Picture.

The film's star, Cillian Murphy, won Best Actor and Robert Downey Jr. claimed the award for Best Supporting Actor. 

Christopher Nolan won the Oscar for Best Director and the movie also took home the hardware for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing.