Iran president rules out talks until US acts ‘normal’

Iran’s president yesterday ruled out negotiations with Washington until it acts “normal”, after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US
3 June 2019

Algerian council scraps July 4 presidential polls

Algeria cannot hold a presidential election planned for July 4 due to a lack of valid candidates, its constitutional council said yesterday,
2 June 2019

Three blasts hit Kabul, killing 1, injuring 17

One person was killed and 17 others wounded yesterday in three successive blasts in Kabul, Afghan officials said, capping a murderous
2 June 2019

10 killed in car bomb attack in Raqa

Ten people were killed and 20 wounded Saturday in a suicide car bomb attack in Raqa, a former stronghold of the Islamic State group (IS)
2 June 2019

10 killed in Israeli attack in Syria following rocket fire

Israel carried out air strikes in Syria yesterday in response to rare rocket fire from the neighbouring country, its military said, with a
2 June 2019

OIC backs Palestinians

A Saudi-hosted Islamic summit yesterday threw its support behind Palestinians ahead of a US-led peace plan suspected to be skewed in favour of Israel, as Muslim states rallied around Saudi Arabia over tensions with Iran.
1 June 2019

Saudi rallies allies against Iran in Makkah summits

Gulf and Arab allies rallied around Saudi Arabia yesterday as it ratcheted up tensions with regional rival Iran after a series of attacks, drawing accusations from Tehran of “sowing division”.
31 May 2019

Saudi Arabia says firm Arab stand needed to deter Iran, Iraq demurs

Saudi Arabia's king tells an emergency Arab summit that decisive action was needed to stop Iranian "escalations" in the region following attacks on Gulf oil assets.
31 May 2019

Arab, Muslim leaders gather in Makkah for Iran-focused summits

Arab and Muslim leaders began gathering in the holy city of Makkah yesterday for three summits, as Saudi Arabia seeks to rally support against arch-rival Iran over attacks on oil installations.
30 May 2019

Israel set for fresh polls

Israeli lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament yesterday, paving the way for a new election after veteran Prime Minister Benjamin
30 May 2019

Iran ‘almost certainly’ behind ship attacks off UAE: Bolton

US National Security Advisor John Bolton yesterday accused Iran of “almost certainly” being behind sabotage attacks on oil tankers off the UAE coast this month, as he visited Abu Dhabi amid soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran.
29 May 2019

Israel tightens Gaza fishing curbs

Israel yesterday announced it had tightened restrictions on Palestinian fishing off the blockaded Gaza Strip after more balloons fitted with firebombs were floated from the enclave into its territory. The zone it allows Gaza fishermen was reduced to a maximum of 10
29 May 2019

18 killed in Taliban attack in Afghanistan

Taliban fighters have stormed several security posts providing protection to Afghanistan’s historic minaret of Jam, cutting access to the
29 May 2019

Attacks against Afghan schools soar: Unicef

The number of attacks on schools in Afghanistan nearly tripled last year, Unicef said yesterday. Attacks on Afghan schools increased
28 May 2019

Sudan protesters strike

Thousands of Sudanese workers began a national strike yesterday, leaving air and bus passengers stranded as protesters piled pressure
28 May 2019

Israeli polls rerun looms as Netanyahu talks falter

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urgently worked to break a deadlock in coalition negotiations yesterday as the once far-
28 May 2019

Iraq condemns 4th IS member to death

An Iraqi court yesterday condemned a fourth French citizen to death for joining the Islamic State group, despite France reiterating its
27 May 2019

UN chief rejects Yemen president’s bias accusation

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has assured Yemen’s leader that the world body will remain impartial in efforts to resolve the
26 May 2019

Iraq warns of ‘danger of war’ as Iranian FM visits Baghdad

Iraqi leaders have warned of the risks of war during a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, whose country is locked
26 May 2019

Battle for Tripoli escalates

Heavy fighting raged in the Libyan capital yesterday as eastern forces made a new push to advance inside the city controlled by the
26 May 2019