Middle East
Israel, Morocco to normalize ties; US shifts W Sahara policy
December 11, 2020
Israel, Morocco to normalize ties; US shifts W Sahara policy
WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel and Morocco have agreed to normalize relations as President Donald Trump, in his final weeks in…
Bahrain plans free shots, Saudi Arabia approves Pfizer jab
December 11, 2020
Bahrain plans free shots, Saudi Arabia approves Pfizer jab
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bahrain has announced plans to give the public free coronavirus vaccines, as Saudi Arabia…
Turkey refutes report it ruled out Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, says could use if meets criteria
December 10, 2020
Turkey refutes report it ruled out Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, says could use if meets criteria
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey is ready to procure Russia’s coronavirus vaccine if it meets Ankara’s criteria, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca…
Iran, Afghanistan open first rail link with eye on trade
December 10, 2020
Iran, Afghanistan open first rail link with eye on trade
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The leaders of Iran and Afghanistan on Thursday inaugurated the first railway link between the two…
Israel’s Netanyahu: Vaccination campaign to begin December 27
December 10, 2020
Israel’s Netanyahu: Vaccination campaign to begin December 27
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that Israel will begin vaccinating the public…
Beirut silos at heart of debate about remembering port blast
December 10, 2020
Beirut silos at heart of debate about remembering port blast
BEIRUT (AP) — Ghassan Hasrouty spent most of his life working at the silos in Beirut’s port, unloading grain shipments…
AP Exclusive: Qatar to allow rainbow flags at 2022 World Cup
December 10, 2020
AP Exclusive: Qatar to allow rainbow flags at 2022 World Cup
Rainbow flags will be allowed in stadiums at the 2022 World Cup after Qatar said it would comply with FIFA…
Senate falls short of halting Trump’s $23B arms sales to UAE
December 10, 2020
Senate falls short of halting Trump’s $23B arms sales to UAE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate fell short Wednesday in trying to halt the Trump administration’s proposed $23 billion arms sales…
Israel sees spike in poverty during pandemic
December 9, 2020
Israel sees spike in poverty during pandemic
JERUSALEM — The number of Israeli households living under the poverty line has grown by nearly 50 percent during the…
Two small Iraqi oil wells set ablaze in ‘terrorist attack’, ministry says
December 9, 2020
Two small Iraqi oil wells set ablaze in ‘terrorist attack’, ministry says
KIRKUK (Reuters) -Two wells in a small oilfield in northern Iraq were set ablaze by explosives in a “terrorist attack”…