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
US-led coalition in Iraq targeted 2 years after Soleimani killing
The US-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq yesterday shot down two armed drones targeting a compound at Baghdad airport hosting its personnel, a coalition official said.
Yemen rebels seize vessel in Red Sea
Yemeni rebels have seized an Emirati-flagged vessel in the Red Sea, the insurgents and a Saudi-led coalition said yesterday, giving conflicting details for the latest escalation in a seven-year war.
Omicron could lead Israel to herd immunity: official
Israel could reach herd immunity amid surging Omicron infections, its top health official said yesterday, as the country approved the use of Merck & Co’s molnupiravir anti-viral pill for Covid-19 patients.
Israel pounds Gaza after rocket attacks
Israel targeted Hamas positions in southern Gaza late Saturday after rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave, security sources and the army said.
Israeli troops kill Palestinian ‘knifeman’
Israeli troops yesterday shot dead a Palestinian man who attempted to stab soldiers and civilians at a bus stop in the occupied West Bank, the military said.
Saddam's daughter calls on Iraqis to unite, marks 15 years since father's execution
Saddam Hussein’s daughter has called on Iraqis to unite and come to terms with the changes in the Arab world.
Saudi boosts pandemic curbs at Makkah’s Grand Mosque
Saudi Arabia yesterday reimposed social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, after recording the highest
Iran claims to have launched rocket with satellite carrier bearing 3 devices
Iran said Thursday it launched a rocket with a satellite carrier bearing three devices into space, though it’s unclear if any of the objects entered orbit around the Earth.
Kuwait swears in fourth govt in two years
A new Kuwaiti government was sworn in yesterday, the oil-rich Gulf emirate’s fourth in two years, after the last one resigned in November amid political deadlock.
Violence in Gaza as Abbas visits Israel
An Israeli was wounded in a shooting attack on the Gaza border yesterday, the military said, after a rare visit to Israel by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas drew condemnation from the enclave’s Hamas rulers.