Middle East
345,000 Gazans face ‘catastrophic’ hunger: UN
Some 345,000 Gazans face “catastrophic” levels of hunger this winter after aid deliveries fell, a UN-backed assessment said yesterday, warning of the persistent risk of famine across the Palestinian territory.
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.
Iran nuclear talks restart in Vienna
Fresh talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers restarted on Monday, with the EU chair saying he felt “extremely positive” while admitting that “difficult issues” have yet to be tackled.
World Expo in Dubai: Workers face hardships despite promises
Intent on making a flawless impression as the first host of the world’s fair in the Middle East, Dubai sought to leave nothing to chance.
Egyptian rights activist fined over ‘insulting’ online posts
An Egyptian court yesterday fined prominent human rights activist Hossam Bahgat for “insulting” the country’s electoral commission on social media, a judicial source said.
Don’t yield to ‘blackmail’
Israel yesterday cautioned world powers to beware of what it described as Iranian “nuclear blackmail” as diplomats convened in Vienna to discuss resurrecting a 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.
Bangladesh firmly supports the establishment of independent Palestine: PM reaffirms
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reaffirmed Bangladesh's position for the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and the viable state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Riot police deploy after violent demo in Iran’s Isfahan
Riot police were deployed in force yesterday in the Iranian city of Isfahan, a day after violent protests over the drying up of a lifeblood river.
IAEA bowing to West’s pressure: Iran
Iran has accused the UN’s nuclear agency of bowing to pressure from its Western financiers to “discriminate” against Tehran, as strains persist ahead of new talks to revive the 2015 atomic deal.
Tunisia navy ‘rescues’ 487 migrants
Tunisian authorities said yesterday they had rescued almost 500 migrants whose boat ran into trouble off the North African country’s coast during a bid to reach Europe.
3 Lebanon judges resign in face of politicians' interference in judiciary
Three Lebanese judges have resigned over interference by politicians in the work of the judiciary, including a probe into last year’s Beirut blast, a judicial source said Thursday.
Thousands protest against power grab
Thousands of Sudanese protesters yesterday rallied against last month’s military power grab, rejecting an agreement struck between the top general that saw the prime minister reinstated, witnesses said.