Updates: Israel targets key military sites in Iran amid escalating tensions in Middle East
Explosions sounded across Tehran after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military sites, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle...Geostrategy
Wealthy Israelis offer rewards for release of Gaza hostages
Jerusalem, Undefined - Frustrated with the dwindling prospect of reaching a ceasefire deal in the year-long Gaza war, some Israeli entrepreneurs...Geostrategy
Lebanon reformist independents win at least 13 seats
The reformists, who campaigned on the legacy of a 2019 anti-establishment protest movement, could yet obtain the support of several...Twelve of the thirteen reformist candidates are newcomers. They campaigned against Lebanon's ruling elite, composed of sectarian parties that have ruled the country since 1990.
At least five out of 19 elected MPs for the capital Beirut are independents, with all but one winning a seat for the first time.
Morocco, Spain reopen borders after two-year closure
The gates opened shortly after 11:00 pm local time (2200 GMT) on Monday night, letting dozens of cars and queues...borders between the two countries were shut due to Covid restrictions and a major diplomatic row
Local economies in the border areas of two enclaves depend on the crossing of people and goods
Lebanon vote weakens Hezbollah bloc as reformists book gains
Scuffles and cases of voter intimidation were reported on polling day, although Interior Minister insisted when announcing partial results that...Lebanese Forces Party can emerge as the largest Christian party in Lebanon as it has won several new seats
Some polling centers lacked electricity in Lebanon, voters had to use their phone lights to cast their ballots
US Vice President leads large team to meet new UAE leader
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday led a high-level delegation to meet the United Arab Emirates' new president, who...Day after the death of former leader Sheikh Khalifa, Mohamed bin Zayed was chosen as UAE's new president
Diplomatic relation between US-UAE were further strained when the UAE abstained from condemning Russia over the invasion of Ukraine
Iran arrests academic on national security charges
Iranian police have arrested academic and author Said Madani on charges of acting "against the security" of the country and..."Suspected of having links with foreign countries and of having committed actions against the country's security, Said Madani Ghahfarokhi was sent to prison," Mehr reported
Madani has been detained several times in the past, notably in 2012 when he was sentenced to six years in prison
Kamala Harris leads high-level US team to meet new UAE leader
Harris, whose team includes Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and CIA chief William Burns, is heading...Blinken, who arrived in Abu Dhabi early Monday morning ahead of the delegation, offered his "warm congratulations" to Sheikh Mohamed on becoming president.
Relations between UAE and the US were strained when the former abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution demanding a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
First commercial flight in six years leaves Yemen’s capital
The first commercial flight in nearly six years took off from Yemen's rebel-held capital on Monday, a major step forward...Before take-off, the plane with red-and-blue tail livery taxied through an honour guard of two fire trucks spraying jets of water. It landed in Amman.
Sanaa's airport has been closed to commercial traffic since August 2016 because of air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition, who are fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Lebanon vote weakens Hezbollah bloc as reformists book gains
Official results later Monday will show whether Hezbollah, a political and military movement seen as a state within a state,...Turnout was particularly low in Sunni Muslim areas, after former premier Saad Hariri triggered a de facto boycott in his community by pulling out of the elections.
Some of the politicians most reviled by the reform camp suffered stinging losses, including several MPs who had traditionally represented the interests of Syria.
Saudi King leaves hospital in Jeddah after one week
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has left the hospital one week after being admitted for tests, state media reported. Video broadcast...He left "after conducting medical examinations and successfully completing the treatment plan and recovery period," the SPA said on Twitter
In 2017, Saudi Arabia dismissed reports and mounting speculation that the king was planning to abdicate in favor of Crown Prince Mohammed
Algerian military officer sentenced to death for ‘high treason’
An Algerian military officer and close ally of the former army chief has been sentenced to death over charges of...Bounouira, who served as the once-powerful Gaid Salah's private secretary for a time, was extradited to Algeria by Turkey in 2020
According to El Watan, Bounouira was accused of taking possession of classified military documents and using them to bargain for protected status
