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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

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

Ynet, News agencies , 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

Iran FM visits Baghdad ahead of Iraq PM trip to Saudi Arabia

Zarif's visit, the first by an Iranian official since the killing of Qassem Soleimani by the U.S. in January, comes as Baghdad tussles with Tehran-backed Shiite militia groups, some of which have become increasingly difficult to control

Associated Press , 21:10 , 07.19.20

Iran 'mishaps' continue with power plant blast

A fire was also reported to have damaged a cellophane printing factory in Iran's northwestern city of Tabriz, the latest in a string of incidents occuring at both military and civilian sites in recent weeks

AFP , 19:41 , 07.19.20

Report: At least seven ships catch fire at Iranian port

State news agency doesn’t say what started the blaze in Bushehr, the province housing the Islamic Republic’s only nuclear plant; incident is latest in a recent series of fires and accidents at key Iranian installations

Reuters , 17:16 , 07.15.20

Lebanon looks to China as US, Arabs refuse to help in crisis

After Lebanese pound loses nearly 80% of value against the dollar, China offers aid worth $12.5 billion to the Mediterranean country at the expense of Beirut's relations with Washington

Associated Press , 14:03 , 07.15.20

Lebanese man accused of financing Hezbollah freed by U.S. in secret talks

Kassim Tajideen, who was designated by the State Department as an important sponsor of the Shi'ite terror group, was released through indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, according to sources

Reuters , 18:23 , 07.14.20

Israeli watchdog reveals 28 Hezbollah missile sites in Beirut civil centers

Report uncovers sites used for production, storage, and launches of medium-range ballistic missiles; Hezbollah reportedly holds hundreds of missiles with range of up to 300 km (185 miles)

i24NEWS, Ynet , 21:13 , 07.13.20

Lebanese Christian cleric criticizes Hezbollah, allies over crisis

In a series of sermons, Bechara Boutros Al-Rai stressed importance of Lebanese neutrality; lambasts PM's policies and his ties to the Iran-backed terror organization

Reuters , 23:15 , 07.12.20

Coronavirus claims over 20,000 lives across Mideast

Region so far spared worst of virus, accounting for around 3.5 percent of all global deaths, with Iran reporting nearly 13,000 fatalities since beginning of regional outbreak in February

AFP , 21:21 , 07.12.20

Hottest commodity in Lebanon's economic chaos: The U.S. dollar

In-depth: Even during the 15-year civil war and Israel's occupation of the south, Lebanon was always flush with dollars; now, as local currency's value evaporates, the public must navigate labyrinthine regulations in frantic search for dollars

Associated Press , 09:01 , 07.11.20

U.S. affirms Lebanon support as Hezbollah steps up criticism

General Kenneth McKenzie touches ground in Beirut as several dozen protesters affiliated with the Iran-backed terror group, carry signs with messages against Washington, accusing U.S. envoy of interfering in Lebanese affairs

Reuters , 19:58 , 07.08.20

Lebanese man convicted of financing Hezbollah in U.S. returns home

Kassim Tajideen was sentenced last year in D.C. federal court for role in money laundering conspiracy aimed at evading sanctions; 64-year-old granted early release in May due to health conditions, fears virus infection in prison

Associated Press , 15:39 , 07.08.20

UN expert: U.S. drone strike on Iranian general 'unlawful' killing

United States failed to provide sufficient evidence of ongoing or imminent attack against its interests to justify January killing of Qasem Soleimani, says special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

Reuters , 11:00 , 07.07.20

Prominent Iraqi critic of Iran, proxy groups shot dead in Baghdad

Advisor to Iraqi government, U.S. coalition in Iraq shot dead by motorcycle rider outside his home after receiving threats from Iran-backed militias; no group claimed responsibility for assassination

Associated Press , 09:40 , 07.07.20

Iran's lawmakers to summon Rouhani in suspected impeachment move

Internal discontent over Islamic Republic's failing economic situation and dealing with coronavirus continues to grow; move by parliament to question Ahmadinejad blocked in a rare intervention by Khamenei

Reuters , 18:20 , 07.06.20

Iran: Fire at Natanz nuclear facility causes significant damage

Spokesperson says incident could slow down centrifuge development, claims authorities have pinpointed the source of mysterious blast; Gantz shakes off accusations by Iranian officials of Israeli sabotage

Agencies , 21:49 , 07.05.20

Coronavirus and sanctions hit Iran’s support of proxies in Iraq

Tehran, struggling to bounce back from targeted killing of IRGC commander Solemani by U.S., faces large budget deficit forcing it to limit military expenditures in the region

Reuters , 19:29 , 07.02.20

'Incident' damages construction near Iran nuclear site

State-run IRNA news agency says Natanz nuclear facility was not damaged in the incident and only the under-construction 'shed' was harmed; there was, however, no previously announced construction work at the facility

Associated Press , Reuters , 11:35 , 07.02.20

Lebanon’s plea to skeptical expats: Come visit, bring cash

Beirut's airport is partially reopening after a three-month shutdown, with the cash-strapped government hoping thousands of Lebanese expatriates will return for the summer, injecting badly needed dollars into the sinking economy

Associated Press , 12:06 , 07.01.20

Iran journalist who fueled 2017 protests sentenced to death

Reporter arrested after running website posting embarrassing videos and information about Iranian officials, spreading messages about upcoming protests and sharing videos from demonstrations

Associated Press , 14:08 , 06.30.20

Report: Lebanon's FM to summon U.S. envoy over Hezbollah comments

Local media says minister to meet with ambassador after judge banned local, foreign media outlets from interviewing Shea, saying her criticism of Hezbollah was seditious and a threat to social peace

Associated Press , 16:32 , 06.28.20

Lebanese president sees 'civil war' climate amid unrest

Aoun calls to protect peace while Sunni leaders say meeting to dilute tensions was waste of time; UAE official says Lebanon was paying the price of deteriorating ties with wealthy Gulf Arab states

Reuters , 14:53 , 06.25.20

Inside Iran’s secret project to produce aluminum powder for missiles

A special investigation reveals a secret production complex in the Iranian highlands where the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps are producing a key ingredient in solid-fuel propellants used to launch missiles

Reuters , 18:43 , 06.24.20

Syria refuses to 'bow' to U.S. sanctions

FM Muallem decries Caesar Act as an attempt to undermine support for dictator Assad and force him to ‘abandon’ his alliances, 'normalize relations with Israel'

AFP , 19:50 , 06.23.20

Muslims to wait a year for hajj as virus prompts Saudi curbs

Kingdom says only very limited number of pilgrims would be allowed to perform hajj in Mecca, mostly residents of various nationalities already inside the country

Associated Press , 11:57 , 06.23.20

Egyptians struggle to keep art of papyrus-making viable

Locals in the Land of the Nile fear the millennia-old tradition would disappear completely as tourist hotspots on the Red Sea and Cairo are abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic

Reuters , 09:16 , 06.20.20

Dressmakers keep Palestinian tradition alive in refugee camp in Jordan

In the sprawling Baqaa camp in Jordan, a group of women sews colorful dresses they sell to customers in fashionable parts of nearby Amman, giving them an income and upholding old customs

Reuters , 22:28 , 06.18.20

Report: Iran test-fires long range cruise missiles

Islamic Republic reports first drill since fatal training accident which left 19 Iranian sailors dead; missiles said to destroy targets at distance of 280 kilometers (170 miles)

Associated Press , 17:13 , 06.18.20

Turkey begins offensive against Kurdish rebels in north Iraq

Ankara says it airlifted troops for a cross-border operation against the PKK in Iraq's Haftanin region, following 'intense' artillery fire into the area

Associated Press , 22:25 , 06.17.20

U.S. hits Syria with toughest sanctions yet to push Assad to end war

Syrian leader's wife among 39 designated individuals and companies targeted by U.S. financial punitive measures, as country experiences deepening economic crisis after nearly decade of conflict

Reuters , 16:48 , 06.17.20

Concerns mount as Lebanon struggles to take first steps out of crisis

Analysis: Slow efforts to pull the heavily indebted nation, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and deep corruption, show little success; Beirut facing growing criticism amid fears of renewed sectarian violence

Reuters , 11:43 , 06.16.20

Drone strike kills 2 al-Qaeda commanders in NW Syria

Opposition groups report that the two men - a Jordanian and a Yemeni - headed local militias linked to the terror group as part of Coalition efforts to stamp out radical factions in region

Associated Press , 21:22 , 06.14.20

Iran daily virus deaths exceed 100 for first time in 2 months

Islamic Republic officials claim rise in cases is result of increase in testing rather than worsening caseload, but skepticism still remains at home and abroad over official toll

AFP , 18:44 , 06.14.20

Troubled Iran struggles to maintain sway over Iraq militias

In-depth: Without Soleimani to unify disparate factions, divisions have emerged in the umbrella group of mainly Shiite forces, who decry the lack of cash influx and lack of trajectory to institutionalize the militias

Associated Press , 09:41 , 06.13.20

Iran says ready to cooperate with IAEA

The Iranians claim the IAEA request for access to its nuclear sites is based on fabricated information supplied by the United States and Israel

AFP , 14:19 , 06.12.20

Syrian president fires his PM amid worsening economic crisis

The economic meltdown comes ahead of looming new U.S. sanctions against any entity or country that does business with the Syrian government due to take effect in the second half of June

Associated Press , 18:00 , 06.11.20

Turkish court sentences U.S. consulate employee to jail

Metin Topuz, a translator and assistant for the DEA, accused of having connections with exiled opposition leader Fethullah Gulen, whom Istanbul blames for the 2016 coup attempt

Associated Press , 15:53 , 06.11.20

UN chief calls for a more mobile, reconnaissance-oriented UNIFIL

Secretary General Guterres urges prioritizing monitoring capabilities, maneuverability over high-density deployment for its Lebanese border peacekeeping mission

i24NEWS, AFP , 09:59 , 06.10.20