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
Dozens killed as fighting rages around Yemen city
Dozens of Yemeni pro-government fighters have been killed in a new offensive to take a rebel-held city, loyalist sources said yesterday, following a surge in violence including missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates.
‘Biden, Trump harmed US’
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali accused Joe Biden and Donald Trump of damaging the reputation of the United States in rare direct criticism of US
UN's $66m project aims to transform Gaza Valley from sewage dump to nature reserve
The United Nations is set to begin the restoration of a historic valley in the Palestinian Gaza Strip next month, hoping to transform it from a landfill and sewage dump into a vibrant nature reserve in a planned $66 million project.
Two-state confederation: Palestinian, Israeli public figures draw up proposal
Israeli and Palestinian public figures have drawn up a new proposal for a two-state confederation that they hope will offer a way forward after a decade-long stalemate in Mideast peace efforts.
‘Little Rayan’ dies before rescue
Morocco was in shock yesterday after emergency crews found a five-year-old boy dead at the bottom of a well in a tragic end to a painstaking five-day rescue operation that gripped the nation and the world.
Israel’s Mossad suspected of penetrating Iran’s security intel
Former Iranian officials expressed concerns that the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has penetrated the Iranian security and intelligence institutions, BBC reported.
‘Good but not enough’
US steps on lifting sanctions are “good but not enough”, Iran said yesterday, following Washington’s announcement it was waiving sanctions on Iran’s civilian nuclear programme.
Saving little #Rayan
Moroccan rescuers worked through the night into yesterday, the fifth day of an increasingly urgent and nerve-wracking effort to rescue Rayan, a five-year-old boy trapped underground in a well.
Shadowy militant group claims latest UAE drone attack
A little-known militant group has claimed the latest drone attack on the United Arab Emirates, raising the possibility of widening security threats after a wave of assaults from Yemeni rebels.
IS chief ‘kills himself’
The leader of Islamic State died when he blew himself and family members up during a US military raid in Syria, President Joe Biden said on Thursday, dealing a blow to the jihadist group’s efforts to reorganize as a guerrilla force after losing large swathes of territory.