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Hamas leader visits Beirut for first time in 27 years

Ismail Haniyeh to participate from Lebanese capital in meeting called by Palestinian President Abbas to discuss Israel-UAE deal; confab will include all Palestinian factions including PLO and Islamic Jihad

i24NEWS, Ynet , 23:22 , 09.01.20

Macron to Lebanese leaders: Reform swiftly or face sanctions

French president on second trip to Lebanon in less than a month; pressure from Paris secured deal on new prime minister as country faces biggest threat to stability since civil war

Reuters , 20:03 , 09.01.20

Iran nuclear deal members meet, as US pressure mounts

Iran has enough enriched uranium to make a bomb, but not amount or purity it had before 2015 nuclear deal; allows IAEA inspectors into sites believed to be storage of undeclared nuclear material

Associated Press , 19:13 , 09.01.20

Egyptian military kills 77 terrorists in northern Sinai

Egyptian Airforce reports 317 dens, hideouts and stores, as well as 10 vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition destroyed; three officers and four soldiers were killed during the anti-terror operations

i24NEWS , 20:58 , 08.31.20

Lebanon agrees on a new prime minister under French pressure

The former diplomat named hours before Macron's arrival in Beirut for his second visit in less than a month to push politicians to enact reforms as donors demand to tackle corruption

Reuters , 18:25 , 08.31.20

Lebanese ambassador Adib emerges as front-runner to be PM

If designation goes without last-minute complications, country's envoy to Germany will be nominated before visit by French President Macron on Monday, who is leading efforts to press Lebanese leaders to reform

Reuters , 20:43 , 08.30.20

Masks And Tears: Shiites mark Ashura at Iraq shrines despite virus

Thousands of worshippers, wearing gloves and face masks flock to the site marking the battle and death of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Hussein, the defining moment of schism within Islam

AFP , 18:31 , 08.30.20

From golden age to war and ruin: Lebanon in turmoil as it turns 100

As the Land of Cedars approaches the centennial of its independence, many reflect on its haphazard foundation, sectarian violence and corruption and ask where did the democratic Levantine dream go

Reuters , 22:58 , 08.27.20

U.S. slams Turkey's Erdogan for hosting Hamas officials - Turkey rejects statement

State Department says Ankara's decision to hold meeting with terror group's leaders 'isolates Turkey, harms the interest of the Palestinian people and undercuts global effort to stop fighting in Gaza'

Reuters , 21:20 , 08.25.20

Explosion at gas pipeline leads to blackout in Syria, says energy minister

TV channel showes footage of a large fire following the explosion which occurred northwest of the capital of Damascus; minister says possible terror attack

Reuters , 09:15 , 08.24.20

Iran official says sabotage caused fire at Natanz nuclear site

Spokesperson tells state TV that security officials will ‘reveal in due time’ the cause of the explosion at the nuclear site; article by IRNA alleges U.S. or Israel behind incident

Reuters , 21:44 , 08.23.20

Erdogan hosts top Hamas officials in Ankara

Senior members of terror group tell Turkish president that Hamas is working against what it calls the 'Judaization of Jerusalem'; meeting comes days before U.S. secretary of state due to visit Israel and UAE in wake of normalization deal

Ynet, i24NEWS , 13:44 , 08.23.20

Iran summons UAE envoy over killing of 2 fishermen, seizes ship

Foreign Ministry says it seized a UAE-registered ship violating its territorial waters and detained its crew members on the same day Emirati Coast Guard seized one Iranian vessel and detained the anglers

Associated Press , 14:11 , 08.20.20

Iran announces locally made ballistic and cruise missiles amid U.S. tensions

Following UN decision to not extend arms embargo past October, Tehran unveils a surface-to-surface missile, called 'Qassem Soleimani' and a cruise missile, called 'Abu Mahdi', all of which have a range of over 1,400 km

Reuters , 11:23 , 08.20.20

Saudi calls for Hezbollah to be 'punished' after Hariri verdict

Saudi officials say 'views the ruling as the emergence of truth and the beginning of a process of achieving justice by chasing, arresting and punishing those involved'; Hezbullah member found guilty by ICC

AFP , 08:58 , 08.19.20

American released from Lebanon after jailed for months dies

Amer Fakhoury's family says he was tortured by Hezbollah while in Lebanon, where he was accused of torturing prisoners during his service in a prison belonging to the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army in the '90s

Associated Press , 18:47 , 08.18.20

UN tribunal: no evidence Hezbollah leadership tied to Hariri's killing

The UN-backed special judges' panel also says there is no evidence of Syria's involvement in the 2005 killing of the former Lebanese PM

Reuters , 16:11 , 08.18.20

'Impossible' that Beirut port blast was caused by Hezbollah arms, says president

Michel Aoun, an ally of Iran-backed Hezbollah tells Italian daily that the terror group did not store any weapons at the warehouse, echoing dismissals by the organization's leader Nasrallah

Reuters , 11:53 , 08.18.20

Beirut blast prompts new exodus from Lebanon

Expert expects many departures abroad among Lebanon's largely highly educated, multilingual middle class; 'Country may lose a generation it needs to rebuild, to achieve necessary political change'

AFP , 20:11 , 08.17.20

UN-backed court to issue verdicts in murder of ex-Lebanon PM

Tribunal to release ruling for four Hezbollah members accused of role in 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri in Beirut suicide bombing that killed another 21 people; terror group denies involvement, blames Israeli plot to tarnish Iranian-backed organization

Associated Press , 13:14 , 08.17.20

UAE summons Iranian diplomat over 'unacceptable' Rouhani speech

Iranian president calls UAE peace deal with Israel a 'huge mistake' and a 'treacherous act' while UAE foreign ministry warns Iran it must protect citizens of Gulf state from harm while in Iran

Reuters , 21:53 , 08.16.20

UN votes to end arms embargo on Iran, despite U.S. demands

Washington's resolution to extend weapons ban resoundingly defeated; Pompeo says Israel, Gulf states expect Tehran to ‘spread chaos and destruction’ after embargo lifted in October

Associated Press , 09:45 , 08.15.20

Child survivors battle trauma after deadly Beirut blast

Parents in the Lebanese capital lament the loss of their children's innocence after the massive explosion exposed them to sights of blood, death and destruction

Associated Press , 17:01 , 08.12.20

Lebanese demand change after government quits over Beirut blast

Despite PM Diab and his cabinet resigning, many in Lebanon believe that unless serious changes are done to the corrupt political system, no real change will come to the beleaguered nation

Reuters , 17:34 , 08.11.20

French expert: Dangerous chemicals remain at Beirut port

Special unit is identifying potential leaks and securing an area of the seaport where at least 20 containers holding unsafe materials are still situated, including some that were damaged by the massive blast

Associated Press , 14:06 , 08.11.20

Iran sentences 2 men to prison over spying for Israel, West

Judiciary spokesman says one of the accused - co-chairman of Austrian-Iranian Society - gathered intel on nuclear projects for Israel and Germany, while the second spied for UK, gathering info on Iran's banking system

Associated Press , 13:54 , 08.11.20

Lebanon's leaders warned in July about explosives at Beirut port

A report of Lebanon's security official includes a private letter addressed to the leadership, which warns that storage of ammonium nitrate could cause explosion that would destroy Beirut; the port blast killed at least 163 people, injured 6,000 more

Reuters , 09:10 , 08.11.20

Lebanese PM steps down in wake of Beirut explosion, protests

Diab blames corrupt predecessors for negligence that led to the disaster; current government will assume caretaker role as leadership factions, who protesters want out, bicker over new one

Associated Press , 20:35 , 08.10.20

Lebanon health minister: Cabinet resigns over Beirut blast

Lebanese lawmakers resign en masse after days of violent demonstrations that saw clashes between security forces and protesters; PM Diab will head to presidential palace to hand resignation in name of all ministers

Associated Press , 18:18 , 08.10.20

Lebanon PM said set to resign as anger grows over Beirut blast

Information, environment, justice ministers have already quit, as sources say cabinet set to meet with many more wanting to offer resignation; irate Lebanese want entire government to step down

Ynet, Reuters , 14:08 , 08.10.20

Blast destroyed landmark 19th century palace in Beirut

Three-story mansion had been a landmark in the Lebanese capital, its spacious garden the venue for countless parties and events; it had survived multiple wars but succumbed to last week's port explosion

Associated Press , 11:11 , 08.10.20

Beirut protesters hurl rocks as anger over devastating blast reignites

Demonstrators gather around the capital's Parliament Square, call for the government and its Hezbollah ally to leave from power; top Christain cleric calls for cabinet to resign 'if it is unable to help the country'

Reuters , 21:35 , 08.09.20

Angry Lebanese say Hezbollah worse than Israel

After catastrophic Beirut blast, Lebanese citizens demand prosecution of corrupt politicians, direct ire at Iranian-backed Shi'ite group and its leader Hassan Nasrallah

Daniel Salami , 18:28 , 08.09.20

Police fire tear gas at Beirut protesters furious after explosion

Some 7,000 people gather in Martyrs' Square in Lebanon's capital, throwing rocks and carrying banners saying, 'Leave, you are all killers' as death toll from the port blast is up to 158; earlier, Christian party resigns from parliament over gov't's backing of Hezbollah

Reuters , 18:42 , 08.08.20

Beirut's accidental cargo: how an unscheduled port visit led to disaster

Captain of the Russian ship transporting ammonium nitrate says 'cargo was highly explosive and of a very high concentration,' which is why kept on board for so long, before being stored inside the port

Reuters , 21:29 , 08.06.20

'Revolution': Angry crowds in Beirut urge Macron to help bring change

With the streets shattered from the blast estimated to cost up to $15 billion in damages to the already financially beleaguered nation, French President promises aid will not go to 'corrupt hands'

News Agencies , 16:39 , 08.06.20

Lebanon begins 3 days of mourning as death toll from blast climbs to 135

Officials believe the death toll will rise further after the explosion at Beirut port, caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilizers and bombs, stored there for six years; French President Macron to arrive in Beirut Thursday with a team of specialists

Reuters , 08:54 , 08.06.20

Dazed and wounded, Lebanese emerge from massive blast angry at rulers

Claiming the leadership aware of the danger from inadequate storage of inflammable chemicals one resident says 'the worst part is this government and all those before it did nothing. Nobody cares'

Reuters , 23:08 , 08.05.20

Negligence cause of Beirut blast, initial investigation shows

Sources within Lebanon say inspectors warned six months ago that highly flammable and explosive substances could 'blow up all of Beirut' if not removed

Reuters , 16:17 , 08.05.20

Beirut explosion leaves 250,000 homeless, hospital decimated

Rescue teams look for victims, survivors buried under debris; Local healthcare system in Lebanese capital severely strained by massive influx of some 4,000 injured civilians

News agencies, Daniel Salami , 13:16 , 08.05.20

Red Cross: over 100 dead, 4,000 injured in Beirut blast

Residents report windows being blown out and ceilings dropping after a blast rocked an area around Beirut's port where there are warehouses housing explosives; Israel denies involvement, offers medical and humanitarian aid

News agencies, Ynet , 09:47 , 08.05.20

Crisis-weary Lebanon braces for Hariri tribunal verdict

The defendants, members of Iran-backed Hezbollah, have been tried in absentia for 2005 bombing that killed the former PM, who spearheaded efforts to rebuild the nation following 25 year-long civil war

Reuters , 16:21 , 08.04.20

Watchdog: 12 pro-regime, 6 rebel fighters die in Syria clashes

Another 17 government fighters wounded in a fire exchange with Jihadist and allies near the northern city of Latakia, said the Britain-based group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

AFP , 21:59 , 08.03.20

Elections provide U.S., Iran brief window to lower tensions, says think tank

Report says U.S. presidential election opens window for easing crisis between two nations before Iran holds vote sometime next year expected to result in hard-liner succeeding President Hassan Rouhani

Reuters , 20:44 , 08.03.20

Iran, UAE top diplomats discuss virus in rare talks

The UAE news agency reports the two leaders exchanged greetings for the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday and discussed the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in the region to enhance international cooperation

AFP , 12:04 , 08.03.20

Reports: Islamic State gaining strength after year of calm

Enfeebled terror group exploits instability across Middle East beget by coronavirus crisis to regroup and reaffirm its presence in Syria and Iraq, fomenting more and more daring attacks

i24NEWS , 23:02 , 08.02.20

Iranian workers strike as coronavirus infections surge

Worker walkouts plague Islamic Republic as citizens demand long-delayed wages and benefits; coronavirus cases in Iran hit over 300,000, with over 17,000 fatalities

i24NEWS , 20:32 , 08.02.20

UAE's nuclear power plant: energy and politics

With an energy-hungry population of 10 million, the $22.4 billion Barakah plant west of Abu Dhabi, will generate 5,600 megawatts of electricity when fully operational, fulfilling 25 percent of UAE's needs

AFP , 11:59 , 08.02.20

'Life at the top': Lebanon mountain club dodges economic crisis

Around 200 of the country's most wealthy families find an escape in Faqra Club, a private club perched 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above the Mediterranean, an oasis of luxury in an otherwise collapsing country

AFP , 21:40 , 07.30.20

Iran struggles to buy food in a world wary of touching its money

Despite foods and medicine being exempt from sanctions, banks and governments are reluctant to transfer or take Iranian money because they fear unwittingly breaching the complex U.S. restrictions, trade and finance sources say

Reuters , 14:46 , 07.30.20

Jordan sets Nov. 10 as date for parliamentary elections

The election comes amid a severe economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and the threat of a unilateral annexation of West Bank territories by Israel, which Jordanians say would bury the prospect of a Palestinian state

Reuters , 17:18 , 07.29.20

Very different, symbolic hajj in Saudi Arabia amid virus

Gone is the communal feeling of more than 2.5 million people from around the world praying together, with this year pilgrims eat prepackaged meals alone in their hotel rooms and pray at a distance from one another

Associated Press , 15:25 , 07.29.20

Lebanese party leader blames Hezbollah, allies for crisis

Samir Geagea, head of Lebanese Forces Party, says infiltration attempt along into Israel proves Beirut 'has lost sovereignty over south'; warns political presence of Iran-backed terror group bars country from financial aid from other Arab nations

Associated Press , 18:08 , 07.28.20

Iran fires missile at mock U.S. aircraft carrier amid tensions

Satellite photographs show Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards moved the replica of the USS Nimitz out to sea from Strait of Hormuz for likely naval drills, in an exercise aimed at threatening Washington

Associated Press , 18:08 , 07.28.20

Yemeni blogger jailed by Saudi court for supporting equal gay rights

Human Rights Watch says kingdom sentenced refugee Mohamad al-Bokari to 10 months in prison, $2,600 fine and deportation after he expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights on social media

Reuters , 17:54 , 07.28.20

Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for downsized hajj amid pandemic

Kingdom has one of largest Mideast outbreaks, bans faithful not residing in Saudi Arabia from performing annual pilgrimage, instructing those participating to bring their own prayer rugs and pray at a distance from one another.

Associated Press , 18:35 , 07.27.20

End to Iran arms embargo would ‘intensify’ regional violence, U.S. envoy says

Brian Hook warns Russia and China are looking to Tehran for arms contracts and oppose extension of UN Security Council moratorium on Iran's ability to buy and sells weapons, which expires in October

AFP , 22:39 , 07.26.20

'Help us help you', France tells crisis-hit Lebanon

French foreign minister says Paris stands ready to mobilize support but Beirut must take first action on reform as it wrestles with financial meltdown rooted in decades of state corruption and waste

Reuters , 22:11 , 07.23.20

UAE's Amal spacecraft rockets toward Mars in Arab world 1st

The spacecraft was launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, set to reach its destination in February 2021; will transmit Martian atmospheric data that will be made available to international community, mission head says

Associated Press , 09:21 , 07.20.20

Iran executes man accused of spying for U.S., Israel

Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd was convicted of spying after Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. raid; it's alleged he shared security information on the Guard with CIA and Mossad

Reuters , 09:09 , 07.20.20