Clashes in Iraq as Al Sadr resigns from politics: Supporters of Moqtada Al Sadr have stormed the presidential palace in Baghdad after the Shia cleric announced he would exit politics. At least 15 protesters were killed and dozens wounded in clashes with security forces, which saw Sadr supporters breach the palace gates and rush into the building, the Associated Press reported yesterday. This follows weeks of protests and political deadlock that followed October’s parliamentary elections. Sadr’s coalition won a plurality of seats in the ballot but failed to secure a majority, leaving rival Shiite parties unable to agree on who should serve as prime minister.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi pledged his support to Iraqi Prime Minister Moustafa Al Kadhimi, offering to help de-escalate tensions and open a path for dialogue to end the conflict, according to an Ittihadiya statement. El Sisi also spoke with Iraqi President Barham Salih, it said in a separate statement.

The story got significant attention in Egypt on last night’s talk shows: Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 1:31), Masaa DMC (watch, runtime: 3:45) and Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime: 2:57).