Middle East
Bangladesh to initiate safe return of citizens from Lebanon
The government has taken an initiative to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshis in phases, who got stuck in troubled Lebanon, with the first batch's likely arrival on October 21
Israeli air strikes hit Beirut, south Lebanon
An Israeli airstrike yesterday destroyed the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, a major town in south Lebanon, killing the mayor and at least five others as they met to coordinate aid for those suffering from war.
Strikes hits south Beirut after Israeli military evacuation order
Strikes hit south Beirut on Wednesday, an AFP journalist saw, less than an hour after the Israeli military ordered residents to leave part of the Lebanese capital
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 50 Palestinians
Israeli military strikes killed at least 50 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tightened their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave yesterday, amid fierce battles with Hamas-led fighters.
Hezbollah fires rockets at Israeli targets
Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli naval base yesterday, a day after a drone strike killed four soldiers in the deadliest attack on Israel since the war in Lebanon began.
Israel steps up military pressure in north Gaza
Palestinian medics said yesterday that at least 10 people were killed and 30 injured by Israeli tank shells that hit a food distribution centre in northern Gaza’s Jabalia, with casualties including women and children.
IMAGES OF LIVING THINGS in afghanistan / Taliban vow to enforce media ban
Afghanistan’s Taliban morality ministry yesterday pledged to implement a law banning news media from publishing images of all living things, with journalists told the rule will be gradually enforced.
US to send anti-missile system and troops to Israel, Pentagon says
US President Joe Biden said the move was meant "to defend Israel," which is weighing an expected retaliation against Iran after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on Oct 1
India’s envoy to Palestine found dead in Ramallah
India’s representative to Palestine, Mukul Arya -- a foreign service officer in his 30s -- died in his office premises in Ramallah on Sunday, according to India’s External Affairs Ministry.
Israeli forces shoot dead Palestinian teen in West Bank
The Palestinian health ministry said a 16-year-old, Yamen Jafal, was shot dead “by the occupation forces” on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia lifts most Covid restrictions including quarantine for vaccinated arrivals
Saudi Arabia said Saturday it was lifting most Covid restrictions including social distancing in public spaces and quarantine for vaccinated arrivals, moves that could facilitate the arrival of Muslim pilgrims.
Israel a 'potential ally' if Palestinian conflict resolved: Saudi crown prince
Israel can become "a potential ally" of Saudi Arabia if the conflict with the Palestinians is resolved, the Saudi state-news agency SPA cited Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as saying on Thursday.
Israeli forces kill three Palestinians in West Bank
Israeli forces killed three Palestinians Tuesday in two separate incidents in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.
Turkey blocks warships
Turkey is calling on all sides in the Ukraine crisis to respect an international pact on passage through the Turkish straits to the Black Sea, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying yesterday after Ankara closed access.
Seven dies in Sumatra quake
Seven people died and dozens more were injured when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sumatra island yesterday, with residents shuttling loved ones to safety as buildings crumbled around them.
7,000-year old ritual hunt site found in Jordan
Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old stone age site in a remote desert in Jordan, with structures which show humans were rounding up and hunting gazelles much earlier than previously thought.
Iran’s Raisi calls on int’l community to reject US sanctions
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi yesterday told gas exporters to avoid any “cruel” sanctions such as those imposed by the United States on Tehran, and his government said any revival of Iran’s 2015 nuclear accord with world powers must lift such curbs.
Israel names 1st Muslim judge for permanent seat at Supreme Court
Israel on Monday named Khaled Kabub as its first Muslim judge to gain a permanent seat on the Supreme Court, the Jewish state's highest judicial authority, court authorities said.