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Turkey condemns French caricature featuring Erdogan

Anger at the caricature added fuel to a row between Turkey and France about cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, which flared after a teacher who had shown pupils the cartoons in a lesson on freedom of speech was beheaded in France this month

Reuters , 11:56 , 10.28.20

Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site

Images by San Francisco-based Planet Labs show Islamic Republic is beginning a possible reconstruction of the damaged enrichment facility in Natanz facility

Associated Press , 09:38 , 10.28.20

Hariri named as Lebanon's new prime minister

Nine months after his resignation, Lebanon's President Aoun taps Sunni Muslim politician once more to form a new government to tackle the country's worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war

Reuters , 17:58 , 10.22.20

IMF: Nearly all Mideast economies hit by pandemic recession

International financial body warns global economy will shrink by 4.4% in 2020, the worst annual plunge since the Great Depression, projects Israel's GDP will shrink by 5.8%, more than any other developed economy

Associated Press , 13:55 , 10.19.20

UN arms embargoes on Iran expire despite U.S. objections

A travel ban on a number of Iranian military and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard members also comes to an end; Washington warns of sanctions against individuals or entities contributing weapons, training or material to Tehran

Associated Press , 19:57 , 10.18.20

Iran admits cyberattacks on government departments

State-run media says 'important' attacks occurred Tuesday and Wednesday, does not disclose which departments were targeted but says confirms other departments temporarily took down online services as precaution against further strikes

Associated Press , Ynet , 14:17 , 10.15.20

Assad makes rare visit to areas hit by fires in west Syria

State media says Syrian president made a unusual public appearance in hometown province of Latakia, which suffered heavy damage in last week’s deadly wildfires that killed three people

Associated Press , 18:26 , 10.13.20

Iran's nuclear chief contracts coronavirus

Ali Akbar Salehi joins line of senior Islamic Republic officials who have been infected with pathogen; Tehran announces 251 fatalities in one day - highest daily death toll since start of pandemic, and nearly 4,500 critical patients

Associated Press , 20:21 , 10.11.20

Lebanon closes bars, nightclubs to curb coronavirus

With over 1,000 daily cases in the last few days and hospitals nearing capacity, Interior Ministry orders local lockdowns on 169 towns across the country, a nightly curfew and mandatory face masks in public

Reuters , 16:37 , 10.11.20

U.S. to hit all of Iran’s financial sector with sanctions

Announcement follows months-long debate on best way to proceed with Iran, particularly as Trump faces difficult reelection challenge against opponent Biden who wants to return to nuclear deal

Associated Press , 20:05 , 10.08.20

Lebanese president to hold consultations on new PM next week

Announcement comes after resignation by latest prime minister-designate over sectarian impasse in formation of new government, a blow to France's efforts to end dangerous stalemate in crisis-hit nation

Associated Press , 19:02 , 10.07.20

Syrian victims of chemical attacks file case with German prosecutors

Lawyers say most comprehensive body of evidence has been collected so far on the use of substances such as sarin gas in Ghouta in 2013 and in Khan Sheikhoun four years later, which killed at least 1,400 people

Reuters , 16:15 , 10.06.20

Ex-Saudi spy chief slams Palestinian leadership's criticism of UAE-Israel deal

In scathing interview, Prince Bandar bin Sultan labels Palestinian outcry 'transgression' and 'reprehensible discourse', calls advocates of Palestinian cause 'failures'

Reuters , 11:07 , 10.06.20

Palestinian business leader hopes UAE, Bahrain will press Israel to stop settlements

While Palestinian leaders have called the Arab agreements to normalize relations with Israel a blow to their cause, the chairman of two of the largest Palestinian holding companies reckons they could be used to the advantage of the Palestinians

Reuters , 23:48 , 10.05.20

Pompeo discusses Middle East peace agreements with Saudi foreign minister

U.S. State Department says diplomats spoke of advancing humanitarian aid and peace in Yemen, mending ties between the Gulf countries and the historic signing of the Abraham Accords

i24NEWS , 18:21 , 09.29.20

Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah has died at 91

The Emir, who reigned for 14 years, was a staunch U.S. ally who struggled with the effects of the aftermath of the 2011 Arab Spring and seesawing crude oil prices on the Gulf state

Associated Press , 17:20 , 09.29.20

Syria minister calls Turkey main terrorism sponsor in region

Using unusually harsh language, Syrian diplomat calls out northern neighbor for its growing belligerence throughout the Middle East; Turkey shoots down statement as 'delusional' and 'ridden with ludicrous allegations'

Associated Press , 10:11 , 09.27.20

Lebanese nominated premier resigns, in blow to Macron plan

Less than a month after receiving the nomination, Mustapha Adib steps down following the insistence of Shiite groups Hezbollah and Amal to maintaining control of the Treasury

Associated Press , 20:38 , 09.26.20

In UN debut, Saudi king calls for comprehensive solution on Iran

King Salman says Iran exploited 2015 nuclear deal with world powers 'to intensify expansionist activities, create terrorist networks, and use terrorism'; monarch calls to disarm Hezbollah

Reuters , 20:14 , 09.23.20

Security source: Technical error causes Hezbollah arms depot to blow up in Lebanon

Explosion shakes the southern village of Ain Qana, above the port city of Sidon, sending grey smoke billowing over the village; Hezbollah members impose a security cordon around the area

News Agencies , 16:12 , 09.22.20

U.S. Space Force deploys to vast new frontier: Arabian Desert

U.S. military deploys 20-strong squadron of newly formed military service to Qatar in bid to secure national interests against 'nations that are extremely aggressive in preparing to extend conflict into space'

Associated Press , 12:51 , 09.21.20

Saudi state TV says Bahrain stops militants planning attacks

Officials claim terror plot was to be retaliation for the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani in January; militants arrested, weapons found; some 7,000 serve in American bases in Bahrain

Associated Press , 21:23 , 09.20.20

Pompeo: Hezbollah weapons risk French efforts in Lebanon

With fractious Lebanese politicians set to miss Tuesday deadline agreed with Macron for forming new government, secretary of state says U.S. 'will stop Iran buying Chinese tanks and Russian air defense systems and then selling weapons to Hezbollah'

Reuters , 17:10 , 09.15.20

Iran says 1,044 centrifuges active at underground plant

Tehran announces resumption of enrichment at Fordo site last November in a further step away from 2015 nuclear accord abandoned by Washington in 2018

AFP , 10:00 , 09.14.20

90 UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon contract COVID-19

UNIFIL says infections won’t affect force’s operations along the Israeli-Lebanese border; 88 of those with virus in the same unit; Lebanon sees spike in cases since Beirut port explosion

AFP , 23:00 , 09.13.20

Macron presses Lebanese politicians as cabinet deadline looms

As international groups and donors condition millions in aid to ailing nation on thorough political reforms, PM-designate Adib expected to present government outline Monday

Reuters , 18:10 , 09.13.20

Iran begins expansive annual war games amid tensions with U.S.

State television says Iranian submarines and drones deployed to Gulf of Oman where navy, air force and ground force units participate in training for potential conflict with U.S.

Reuters , 18:23 , 09.10.20

Large fire erupts in Beirut port, month after massive blast

State TV says blaze started at warehouse storing tires and oil, but police say unknown what was in facility; Red Cross says no casualties are reported as army sends helicopters to help bring flames under control

Reuters , 14:57 , 09.10.20

Sri Lanka tea storm swirls around Lebanon president

Massive delivery of supplies, destined for victims of Beirut port blast, found to have been given to Michel Aoun's staff and military elite, spurring vast criticism by citizens on social media

AFP , 23:42 , 09.09.20

Hezbollah-allied parties say U.S. sanctions target whole Lebanon

Washington sanctions senior members of Christian Marada movement and Shi'ite Amal party, saying they 'provided material support to Hezbollah and engaged in corruption'

Reuters , 18:15 , 09.09.20

Trump planning to withdraw more U.S. troops from Iraq

Top American general for Mideast says he believes army will keep a smaller but enduring presence in country, with full withdrawal possible in the future

Associated Press , 10:36 , 09.09.20

US Slaps Sanctions On Two Lebanese Ex-ministers Over Hezbollah

Action comes as the United States, as well as former colonial power France, press for a new government in Lebanon to push urgent reforms

AFP , 08:52 , 09.09.20

Iran building new centrifuges site near Natanz

Tehran seeking to replace facility hit by fire earlier this year, says blaze was result of sabotage and caused significant damage that could slow development of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges

Reuters , 18:36 , 09.08.20

As cases in Syria rise, U.N. staffers infected

Three people medically evacuated, but most other UN staff and families show mild symptoms; officials say fighting, internal migration and political instability, hide scope of outbreak understood

AFP , 15:03 , 09.08.20

In crisis-hit Lebanon, Paris and Washington at odds over Hezbollah

While U.S. sees terror group as obstacle for much needed governmental reforms, France says willing to cooperate with Hezbollah political wing

AFP , 09:48 , 09.08.20

Saudi court sentences Khashoggi killers after son's pardon

Riyadh Criminal Court orders maximum 20 years in prison for 5 main defendants, another receives 10-year sentence, 2 more to serve 7 years in killing of 59-year-old critic of crown prince in Istanbul consulate in 2018

Associated Press , 18:21 , 09.07.20

Cyprus worried as 4 migrant boats reach island in 48 hours

Some 21 migrants remain aboard a boat that is adrift off Cyprus' southeastern tip as a result of a faulty engine after some have been permitted to disembark

Associated Press , 22:21 , 09.06.20

Mideast's confirmed coronavirus death toll goes over 50,000

Iran remains hardest-hit nation, which saw region’s first major outbreak with over 21,900 people dead from the virus and over 380,000 confirmed cases

Associated Press , 15:41 , 09.03.20

Amnesty: Iran flogged, tortured prisoners in brutal post-protest crackdown

Human rights group finds widespread use of torture, other ill-treatment by Iran police, security agents and prison officials in aftermath of nationwide 2019 protests, with at least 3 sentenced to death in biased trials

Ynet , 11:56 , 09.02.20

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