Asena Keskinci takes over as Çimen in Kızılcık Şerbeti season 5
Asena Keskinci joins the cast of Kızılcık Şerbeti.Preparations for the fifth season of Kızılcık Şerbeti are continuing,
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Erdogan urges Trump to pursue talks with Iran, offers support
ANKARA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call to pursue talks with Iran to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, and offered Ankara’s support for peace efforts, the Turkish presidency said on Tuesday.Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and borders Iran, has repeatedly called for an end to the war. It has maintained close contact with the United States, Iran, and mediators such as Pakistan and Qatar, while also acting as an intermediary between the parties.
Oman’s Sultan meets UAE president as Gulf tensions intensify over Strait of Hormuz
ALBAWABA- Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday,
Trump rejects extension of Iran memorandum as 60-day window expires
ALBAWABA- US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington does not intend to extend the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with Iran,
US rules out Iran truce extension as Tehran official sets new deadline
The 60-day period associated with the Iran-US interim peace deal ended Monday without a breakthrough, with Washington rejecting an extension and a senior Iranian official saying the US had a few weeks to meet the agreement’s terms before further talks.
Sudan ramps up Saudi Arabia, Turkey contacts amid growing Red Sea cooperation
Sudanese officials held parallel talks in Riyadh and Ankara as Saudi Arabia and Turkey deepen security cooperation around the Red Sea and fighting intensifies in Sudan.
Sultan of Oman meets UAE’s MBZ as Iran-Hormuz talks advance
The talks come as Oman is in the midst of negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
Latest developments in US-Iran war
US President Donald Trump threatened on Monday to bomb Oman, as a 60-day deadline to end the war with Iran expired. Here are the latest developments in the Middle East conflict: - ‘Positive’ US-Iran talks - Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner said that the United States and Iran were having “very positive and active conversations,” while noting that “there’s really not a lot of trust between America and Iran after all these years”.
Trump says he is not seeking extension of framework agreement with Iran
President Donald Trump said Monday that he is not seeking an extension of June’s framework agreement with Iran towards ending the war,
A Palestinian American’s journey to his West Bank home under settler siege
By Pesha Magid QUSRA, West Bank, Aug 17 (Reuters) - He watched from thousands of miles away on a security camera feed as militant Israeli settlers encircled his West Bank house, fearing he could lose his home forever amid increasing Israeli seizures of Palestinian property in the occupied territory. Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American living in Toledo, Ohio, owns one of three homes that have been under Israeli settler siege for nearly a week in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, a case that has drawn U.S. condemnation.
Turkish, Iranian foreign ministers discuss talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz, ceasefire
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke Monday by phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Anadolu reports.
Iraq seeks Iranian clarification over drone attack on residence of Kurdish regional premier
Iraq on Monday requested an official clarification from Tehran over a drone attack targeting the residence and private office of Masrour Barzani,
Three killed in helicopter crash on Greek Island of Sifnos
ALBAWABA- A private helicopter crashed on the Aegean island of Sifnos on Monday evening, killing all three people on board,
Attacks on Muslim American candidates reflect an American parochial history driven by fanatical supremacists in power
There’s a lot of discourse lately around the anti-Muslim rhetoric thrown at Muslims running for office.
UAE-owned oil tanker detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island: Report
A tanker belonging to an Emirati company was detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported Monday.
Senior German lawmaker urges EU sanctions on Israel’s Ben-Gvir over Gaza killing remarks
A senior lawmaker from Germany’s governing conservative bloc called on the European Union on Monday to impose sanctions on extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his rema
To survive maximum pressure, Iran kept pumping and broke its oil company
Donald Trump’s maximum pressure is usually scored by counting tankers and tracking the rial, but Iran’s budget points to a deeper cost: more than $80 billion in NIOC bank debt and sovereign-fund arrears, repeatedly deferred as Iranians shoulder the burden.
UN urges US, Iran to resume talks as 60-day deadline nears
The UN on Monday urged the US and Iran to resume negotiations as a 60-day deadline for reaching a broader agreement approaches, warning that there is no military solution to the conflict,
Iran seizes UAE-owned tanker near Qeshm island
ALBAWABA- Iranian forces have seized a UAE-owned tanker near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz,
Iran eyes ‘long-term’ gasoline price liberalization, vice president says
Iran is seeking “long-term” gasoline price liberalization, leading to eventual increases, while President Masoud Pezeshkian has decided to end internet filtering,
Extremist Israeli minister says “30 to 40” Gazans should be killed every day
Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for stepped-up airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and for Israel to kill “30 to 40” Palestinians a day,
UN peacekeeping force reports sharp rise in Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Monday that the past two weeks had seen a notable increase in Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon,
Ireland is green with envy against Israel - opinion
Their relations have gone from bad to worse, and in the years since October 7, the Irish have launched a tirade of invective against the State of Israel and its leaders.
Iran’s IRGC dismisses Trump’s claim of backchannel talks as ‘lies’
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday dismissed as “lies” US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington was holding back-channel talks with IRGC officials on war-related iss
US-Palestinian says ‘terrified’ as he returns to property besieged by settlers
The Palestinian-American owner of a house besieged by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank said on Monday he feared for his safety as he headed back to his property and called for US protection. Louai Abu Ridi owns one of the three houses in Qusra, near Nablus, which settlers began besieging more than a week ago, trapping residents inside and effectively blocking supplies, generating condemnation around the world.
UAE billionaire Habtoor takes aim at Ben Gvir’s Gaza rhetoric
The prominent Dubai businessman condemned the Israeli national security minister's call to kill of dozens Gazans nightly, putting a pointed criticism from an influential Emirati voice on the record.
Has Hamas Ended?
It is easy today to say that Hamas has ended. Gaza is destroyed. The movement’s leaders have been targeted. Its military structure has been badly hit. Its ability to govern has declined.
Battered by war, Iran’s rulers wary of more economic pain and unrest if US tightens pressure
By Parisa HafeziDUBAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Even as Iran projects resilience in the war with the United States, its leaders are worried that a threat of more economic punishment by Donald Trump could increase hardships, reignite unrest and further erode the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy.The U.S. president vowed on Friday to hit Iran hard economically, a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would impose measures on Tehran that have “never been seen” as early as next week.
Kushner, Netanyahu agree on path forward for Gaza, Board of Peace official says
WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A meeting on Monday between Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “lengthy, in depth, and very productive,” a Board of Peace official said, adding that agreement was reached with Netanyahu on a path forward for the Gaza conflict. (Reporting by Steve Holland;
After meeting Netanyahu, Kushner agrees Hamas disarmament precedes Israel’s withdrawal
Israel and the Gaza Board of Peace have agreed that the Israeli military will begin withdrawing from the Gaza Strip after Hamas disarms.
Yemen’s Houthis strike Saudi naval vessels, arms depot: Spokesman
Yemen’s Ansar Allah group, also known as the Houthis,
Jordan’s King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know
Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation.
UN laments ‘unacceptable’ toll of 350 aid workers killed in 2025
The number of aid workers killed worldwide in 2025 reached 350, with the most fatalities in Gaza and Sudan, the United Nations said Monday, calling attacks on humanitarians “unacceptable.” The death toll, however, was slightly lower than that of 2024, when 377 aid workers were killed. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited the figures from the research and advisory group Humanitarian Outcomes in a statement marking World Humanitarian Day.
State TV host sparks backlash over ‘southern Iran for southern Lebanon’ remark
An Iranian state television presenter has sparked widespread criticism after saying “southern Iran be sacrificed for southern Lebanon” while dismissing criticism over the damage caused by recent US airstrikes on Iran’s southern provinces.
Israeli defence minister tells army to draft plan shifting enforcement over West Bank occupiers to police
Israel’s defence minister has instructed the army to submit a plan to transfer law enforcement powers over Israeli occupiers in the West Bank to the Israeli police, according to local media.
Hamas welcomes Trump’s call to end attacks on Gaza, urges stepped-up pressure on Israel
Hamas on Monday welcomed remarks by US President Donald Trump calling on Israel to halt its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Italian NGO rescues 50 migrants as 7 people die during crossing in international waters
An Italian NGO rescued some 50 migrants from a boat in international waters on Monday, while seven people died during the crossing, according to local media reports.
Iran threatens to go on offensive in Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with US fails
By Parisa Hafezi and Katharine JacksonDUBAI/WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran has decided to shift its policy from defensive to “fully offensive” due to the deadlock in efforts to agree a permanent end to its war with the United States, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday.Progress towards peace talks and a resumption of oil tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt, with no sign that the warring parties are moving towards ending the conflict that the U.S. and Israel launched on February 28.
Iran says understanding reached with Oman over new Hormuz route map
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Monday that “an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route.”
They carry the evidence of Iran’s crackdown on their bodies
I stop people from bleeding to death. As a trauma and vascular interventional radiologist in Los Angeles, I find catastrophic bleeding and stop it within minutes. Still, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw in victims of Iran’s January protests inside and outside the country.
Tehran bans 2 French embassy employees from returning to Iran
Two French embassy employees involved in a diplomatic dispute last month will not be allowed to return to Iran, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.
Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall
The Pentagon announced a $22.9 billion contract with Raytheon on Monday for Tomahawk missiles amid reports of a shortfall due to the war with Iran. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the contract will “accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed.” “Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount,” Cao said in a statement. “The Department is utilizing every available tool to meet the demands of our current operations.”
Trump confirms IRGC backchannel, threatens to 'bomb the s***' out of Oman if it 'gets in the way'
Later on Monday, Trump told reporters that Iran won’t make the deal he thinks is needed, and that Washington will not extend the MoU.
‘Emirati money buys a lot of conscience’: How UAE-linked recruiters sent Colombians into Sudan’s war
A UAE-based security company with extensive links to the Emirati state recruited and deployed Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF),
After Mecca: The Rise of a New Middle East Security Order and Iran’s Strategic Dilemma
The signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement by Saudi Arabia,
Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan
Iran’s Kurdish opposition groups have turned Iraqi Kurdistan into a frontline in the war.
Iran says it will escalate if US does not honour deal within weeks
By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran will escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and beyond, and launch an attack if the U.S. fails to implement an interim peace deal fully in a matter of weeks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday. If the U.S. does not meet that deadline and diplomacy fails, Tehran would conduct a "timely and precise" military attack to break the U.S. naval blockade on the Islamic Republic, the official added.
Netanyahu’s re-election hopes ride on divided party’s primaries
By Emily Rose JERUSALEM, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party will choose its candidates to fight in October elections on Monday, with analysts saying a shift further to the right by many members could threaten the Israeli leader's chances of winning. The contenders who emerge from Monday's primaries are already facing a brutal race — polls suggest Likud's popularity has plummeted since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, and the party could lose a third of its seats.
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of US-Iran negotiations
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened military action against Oman if it interferes with US-Iran negotiations,
Trump’s adviser, Board of Peace chair meet with Israeli premier for Gaza ceasefire talks
US President Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner began a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Monday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire,
Iran says 60-day deadline ‘lost its relevance’ after US ‘violations’ of memorandum
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that the 60-day deadline for talks with the US following the June 17 memorandum of understanding “lost its relevance̶
Lebanese president calls for extending mandate of UN peacekeeping forces in south
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called Monday for extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),
Israel sees 53% drop of returnees as departures on rise: Report
A recent official Knesset report showed a sharp decline in the number of Israelis returning to Israel in recent years, alongside a rise in the number of those leaving the country,
US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters
Control over a strategic ridge overlooking Nabatieh is emerging as a flashpoint between the Israeli military and Lebanon ahead of the next expected round of negotiations in September.
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of US-Iran deal
The US president also threatened to "blow up" the Gulf partner in May.
Who is Khalil Al-Hayya, the Hamas leader who met Kushner in Cairo?
(Amends spelling of Shejaia neighbourhood in paragraph 13 to conform with Reuters style) By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Tom Perry Aug 17 (Reuters) - Khalil Al-Hayya, the Hamas chief who met U.S. envoy Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, in Cairo on Sunday, emerged as a pivotal figure in the Palestinian militant group during the Gaza war as Israel killed its other leaders. Named Hamas' overall leader in July, Hayya narrowly escaped assassination himself in a 2025 Israeli airstrike in Qatar that killed his son and aides.
Queen Rania shares first photos of Princess Iman's twin
ALBAWABA- Queen Rania of Jordan posted on her official social media accounts the first images of Princess Iman’s twins.She posted the images and wrote,
Israeli forces demolish two-story home in occupied East Jerusalem
Israeli forces demolished a two-story home in the village of Qalandiya, northwest of the occupied East Jerusalem, on claims of being built without a permit,
Trump says will bomb Oman if it gets in the way
ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened on Monday that he is prepared to bomb the unaligned country of Oman if it gets in the way of Hormuz deal with Iran
Iran targets Kurdistan PM with drone attacks
Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani was targeted by two Iranian drones,
What Indonesia’s 2027 budget really says about the Middle East
Read Indonesia’s new budget plan for 2027, called the RAPBN, and one region keeps showing up. Not once. Not as a small note at the end.
Arday backed Palestine; man behind witch hunt believes in racial hierarchy and supports Israel
Online scrutiny has turned towards pro-Israel academic Nathan Cofnas, whose intervention helped propel allegations against the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday into the national spotlight.
Eight Arab and Islamic countries say Israel is obstructing Gaza peace efforts
The foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries said on Sunday that Israel bears responsibility for obstructing efforts to achieve peace in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian ter
Israeli media claims Hamas personnel seized army engineering equipment in southern Gaza
Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Palestinians seized drilling pipes and other engineering equipment used by the Israeli military for tunnel-detection operations in southern Gaza,
Israel should kill ‘30-40’ Gazans every night, Ben-Gvir says on ex-hostage’s podcast
"I think that we need to do targeted strikes in Gaza every night, take out 30, 40 - not just those who endanger us in that moment," Ben-Gvir said.
Report: Hamas leaders meet Kushner in Egypt for talks on Gaza roadmap
Senior Hamas officials, including the movement’s political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya,
Settlers establish new outposts near Ramallah as Palestinian families in Qusra face access restrictions
Israeli settlers have begun establishing new outposts on land near Palestinian villages in the Ramallah area, while three families in Qusra, south of Nablus,
Mohammed Ghamira dies of torture in police custody, triggers anger in Syria
ALBAWABA - Debates regarding torture in prisons and police detention center resumed at the top of the discussion talks in the Syrian street following the killing of a civil defense personnel while in police custody
The Empire Below Deck
The American aircraft carrier was built to terrify other nations.
Israeli authorities issue eviction orders to more than 70 Palestinian families in Lod
Israeli authorities have issued eviction orders to more than 70 Palestinian families in the Al-Mahatta neighbourhood of Lod, ahead of planned demolitions, according to Palestinian local sources.
US-Iran ceasefire expires today
ALBAWABA - The shaky 60-day ceasefire, which realistically only lasted for just a little more than a week since its signing on 17 June, 2026, has expired on paper,
Lebanon says death toll from Israeli attacks since March exceeds 4,300
The Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Sunday that 4,346 people have been killed and 12,301 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 2nd March,
Iran says two French embassy employees barred from returning
DUBAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday that two French embassy employees involved in a diplomatic dispute last month would not be allowed to return to Iran.Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the two had violated the Vienna Convention - which defines the rules and privileges of diplomatic missions - engaging in activities supporting Iranian civil society.
Strait of Hormuz traffic comes to a near standstill as latest 48-hour data shows
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed sharply at the start of the week following attacks on oil tankers, as US-Iran talks aimed at resolving the conflict in the Middle East stalled,
US halts military exercises with South Korea
ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the military to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea citing their refusal to join the Iran war and his own close personal relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un
Families of Four Sumud Flotilla Activists Demand Release from Detention in Tunisia
The families of four Tunisian activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla have called on political and judicial authorities to release of their detained sons and drop all charges against t
Saudi school curricula undergo major changes to references to Jerusalem and Israel
The Saudi education system is continuing to soften its treatment of Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in school curricula, Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv reported.
$20 million scammer pardoned by Trump
ALBAWABA - John Long, pig farmer and Trump voter, was scammed out of $20 million by a Ponzi scheme created by Marian Morgan – after she was sentenced to 33 years in prison,
Palestine research institute: Netanyahu uses Lebanese, Palestinian blood as a “winning election card”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is treating Lebanese and Palestinian blood as a winning electoral card, Major General Habis al-Sharouf,
Mahsa Amini had 'gone to hell': Iran lawmaker under fire
An Iranian lawmaker is under fire for “inappropriate language” with the family of activist Mahsa Amini,
El Sisi stresses need to resolve regional crises to preserve stability in meeting with Kushner
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Sunday stressed the need to resolve the various crises in the region to preserve regional stability.
Hamas calls for full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and end to killing of Palestinians
Hamas on Sunday called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and an end to what it described as Israeli killings of Palestinians.
Iraq’s electricity crisis: Fifty degrees of cold promises
In Iraq, you can replace the name of Ali Falih al-Zaidi—the current prime minister—with any prime minister since 2003, and nothing in meaning or outcome would change.
Iran offers $30,000 bounty for killing, capturing American soldiers
Iranian army chief Amir Hatami announced a bounty of $30,000 for anyone who captures or kills American soldier.“Anyone who kills or captures
Trump envoy discusses Gaza plan with Netanyahu after rare Hamas meeting
By Alexander Cornwell JERUSALEM, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, a day after holding a rare meeting with Hamas' leader in Cairo in a bid to push forward the U.S. president's Gaza plan. Netanyahu, whose ruling coalition is trailing in Israeli opinion polls ahead of an October national election, publicly rejected this month a U.S.-backed agreement that would see Hamas surrender its arms in exchange for Israel withdrawing from Gaza.
Another 5.9 earthquake hits Indonesia’s Flores region
Days after the deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake, a new aftershock hit Indonesia’s Flores region early Monday morning,
Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36
American star Hayden Panettiere passed away at the age of 36, her father announced Monday.The star of the two famous TV shows,
Shipping slows through Strait of Hormuz after tanker attacks, data shows
By Florence Tan SINGAPORE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed over the weekend, data showed on Monday, following attacks on tankers, while U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the Middle East conflict stalled. Five commodity vessels transited the strait on Saturday, with none registered for Sunday, shiptracking data from Kpler showed, versus 31 in the prior weekend.
Iran’s new infiltration bill could make ordinary contact a crime
Iranian lawmakers have advanced sweeping legislation that could send people to prison for speaking to journalists, academic cooperation and unauthorized contact with foreign embassies, dramatically expanding the conduct security agencies could treat as foreign infiltration.
Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea
By Costas Pitas and David Lawder WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" 10 days of joint military exercises with South Korea as they were about to get underway, citing the cost of the drills andSeoul's refusal to take part in actions against Iran.
Trump envoy Kushner meets Netanyahu after Hamas talks
Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is seeking to gain Israeli backing for the US-backed Gaza peace plan.
Iraqi Kurdistan president’s office confirms Barzani’s US-Iran backchannel role
Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani played a role in relaying messages between the United States and Iran and in efforts to ease tensions, a spokesperson confirmed to Iran International on Sunday.
Israeli attacks kill Palestinian, injure several others in Gaza despite ceasefire
One Palestinian was killed and several others were injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking further violations of a ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct.
Egypt’s Sisi meets Kushner for talks on Gaza ceasefire
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met US President Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner in Egypt’s El-Alamein on Sunday, to discuss Middle East developments,
The Three Snakes of Zahhak
In the Persian classic Shahnameh, Ferdowsi tells the story of Zahhak, the usurper king who is kissed on each shoulder by Ahriman, the spirit of evil, and finds two black snakes growing from the wounds.
8 countries condemn Israel’s rejection of roadmap to end Gaza war
Turkiye and seven other countries on Sunday condemned Israel’s rejection of a roadmap for completing the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza conflict,
Netanyahu promotes Likud billboard targeting foreign leaders
ALBAWABA- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday shared an image of a new Likud campaign billboard featuring Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem,
One killed, four injured in Kentucky park shooting
ALBAWABA- One person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting Saturday evening at Charles Young Park in Lexington, Kentucky,
Indonesia earthquake death toll rises to at least 51
ALBAWABA- At least 51 people were killed and more than 100 others injured after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Satur
Kushner meets Netanyahu after talks with Hamas on Gaza plan
US envoy Jared Kushner is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday after holding talks with Hamas leaders in Egypt aimed at reviving a US-backed Gaza peace plan that Israel has so far rejected. The meeting comes two weeks after Hamas endorsed the latest stage of Trump’s Gaza plan, which Netanyahu has refused to support, insisting any settlement must ensure the group is “genuinely disarmed”.
Russia and Ukraine trade major drone and missile strikes
ALBAWABA- Russia and Ukraine exchanged large-scale drone and missile strikes on Sunday,
Pope renews call to end violence against Palestinians in occupied West Bank
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday renewed his call for an end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and urged the international community to advance efforts toward a two-state solution, A
Iranian parliament advances bill to curb foreign influence
DUBAI, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Iran's parliament approved on Sunday the general principles of a bill that would criminalise interviews and other communications with media deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, including U.S. or Israeli media and outlets financed by either country, Iran's Shargh newspaper reported.
Trump’s envoys meet mediators, Israel strikes Gaza
By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's envoys meet with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo on Sunday, a diplomatic source said, in a bid to advance the U.S. president's Gaza peace plan, even as Israel pressed on with airstrikes in the enclave. Hamas officials were present at some of the meetings between mediators and with Trump's envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Nickolay Mladenov, Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, the diplomat said.
Saudi Arabia issues warning over ‘potential danger’ in Jazan province
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense said Sunday that a warning had been issued in Jazan province in the country’s southwest over a “potential danger,” Anadolu reports.
Turkiye, Saudi Arabia to expand renewable energy projects
Turkiye and Saudi Arabia are set to expand their renewable energy cooperation with an additional 3,000-megawatt agreement,
150 Sudanese return home from Uganda under voluntary return program
A plane carrying 150 Sudanese who had sought refuge in Uganda arrived in Sudan’s capital Khartoum under a voluntary return program.
Egypt ‘will not allow’ any party to control Nile water flows: Egyptian source
Egypt “will not accept or allow” any party to control the flow of Nile water to downstream countries, an Egyptian source said Sunday,
Most US voters say they are worse off under Trump: Poll
Most US voters say their finances have worsened since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, with less than three months to go before the November midterm elections,
Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits $2 billion worldwide in just three weeks
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has reached another extraordinary milestone at the global box office,
Kushner to meet Hamas leaders in Cairo before meeting Netanyahu
Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of U.S.
Pope calls for an end to West Bank violence against Palestinians
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Pope Leo called on Sunday for an end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge of attacks by militant settlers and a siege in the territory’s village of Qusra.Israeli settlers encircled houses after cutting off water and electricity, in what rights groups have said is a concerted effort to seize more land, and further eat into territory where Palestinians aim to establish a state.
Yemeni army launches 181 operations against Houthis in 24 hours
The Yemeni army said Sunday it launched 181 military operations in the past 24 hours against Houthi positions and targets in several governorates,
Hamas delegation meets Egypt’s intelligence chief in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks
A high-level delegation from Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Cairo on Sunday and held talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad to discuss the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agr
First Syrian flight since Assad's fall in Moscow
ALBAWABA - A Syrian flight landed in Moscow for the first time on Sunday since flights were suspended between the two countries in December 2024 after the Syrian revolution ousted dictator Bashar Al-Assad
Iran asks Qatar to allow military team to investigate fate of missing pilots
Iran urged Qatar on Sunday to allow an Iranian air force team to enter the Gulf country to investigate the fate of three pilots whom Tehran claims are held by Doha despite Qatari denial, Anadolu re
Iran claims 4 citizens detained by Kuwait, their fate is unknown
ALBAWABA - The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) accused Kuwait in a statement on Sunday of detaining four citizens, claiming that their faith is unknown,
1st Syrian Airlines passenger flight in over 1.5 years arrives in Moscow
A Syrian Airlines passenger plane arrived in Moscow from Damascus on Sunday, marking the first such flight between the two capitals in more than 1.5 years, Anadolu reports.
Iran weighs gasoline rationing as fuel deficit widens
Iran’s government is considering three proposals to curb gasoline consumption as war damage, import difficulties and a widening gap between domestic production and demand put growing pressure on fuel supplies.
Iranian parliament to debate foreign influence, Hormuz oversight bills
Iran’s parliament is set to hold a virtual session on Sunday to review separate bills on countering foreign influence and overseeing the Strait of Hormuz, state-run broadcaster IRIB reported, Anadolu reports.
Israeli army claims it killed senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army claimed on Sunday that it killed Abu Hassan Alaa, a senior commander of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, in a strike in southern Lebanon’s Ansar municipality, Anadolu reports.
Barcelona vs Basel predicted lineups - Friendly Match 2026
FC Basel will host Barcelona today at St.
Explainer-Trump wants more economic pressure on Iran. What are his options?
By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday vowed to hit Iran hard economically, a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Washington would impose measures on Tehran that have "never been seen" as soon as next week. The United States, United Nations and European Union have applied sanctions, implemented trade embargoes and frozen assets since the late 1970s over Iran's nuclear program, human rights violations and support for militant groups.
Iran unveils details of 40th commemoration ceremony of Ali Khamenei
ALBAWABA - Iran announced the date on which it will hold public commemorative ceremonies for Ali Khamenei, the slain supreme leader of Iran, who was killed in February,
US CENTCOM chief completes 10-day visit to Middle East
The commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) finished his 10-day trip to the Middle East on Saturday, Anadolu reports. During the trip, Adm.
Israel survey: 38% of Jewish Israelis support annexing West Bank, 22% favour ‘relocation’ of Palestinians to other countries
A new survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) has found that 38 percent of Jewish Israelis support annexing the entire West Bank, while 35 percent favour partitioning the territory.
Israeli forces raid Hebron, force Palestinians to close shops
Israeli forces on Saturday forced Palestinian shopkeepers to close their shops during a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, Anadolu reports.
EU nations halt Schengen free-travel with Spain
Italy, Finland, and Denmark,
Can China Turn Energy Dependence into Diplomatic Power in the Middle East?
For decades, China’s relationship with the Middle East appeared to rest on a straightforward bargain: the region supplied energy, while China supplied an expanding market.
Sister of Ziad Rahbani reveals real cause of his death
Lebanese prominent composer Ziad Rahbani, son of great singer Fairouz, died at the age of 69 on July 26, 2025. However,
19-year-old arrested in Virginia mass shooting
A mass shooting occurred overnight at Virginia State University overnight, leaving one dead and five injured.The shooter, Camron Harris,
Hamas delegation led by al-Hayya heads to Cairo to discuss Gaza ceasefire agreement
Hamas political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya is due to arrive in Cairo on Sunday at the head of a senior leadership delegation,
Israel’s escalation in southern Lebanon threatens to derail settlement efforts: Arab League
The Arab League on Saturday strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, which have resulted in civilian deaths,
Gulf allies growing frustrated with US over prolonged Iran war: Report
Discontent with the US is growing among its Gulf allies amid concerns that President Donald Trump has been unable to secure a diplomatic end to the prolonged war with Iran,
Qatar rejects Iran’s claim it detained 3 fighter pilots after March attack
Qatar on Saturday rejected Iran’s claim that three Iranian fighter pilots were detained by Qatari authorities after their aircraft went down during attacks in March,
Netanyahu’s office claims 3 Israeli soldiers wounded in Hezbollah attack near border
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office claimed Saturday that three Israeli soldiers were seriously wounded in an attack it said was carried out by Hezbollah near the border,
Morocco detains 148 migrants after attempted mass crossing into Spain’s Ceuta
Moroccan authorities detained 148 irregular migrants Saturday in and around the northern city of Fnideq after they attempted a mass crossing into the Spanish city of Ceuta, according to officials,
Arsenal vs Man City predicted lineups - FA Community Shield 2026
Premier League champions Arsenal are getting ready today to face FA Cup winners Manchester City at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales,
Iran lawmaker played direct role in deadly protest crackdown, witnesses say
Jafar Pourkabgani, a lawmaker representing the southern Iranian province of Bushehr and a former longtime member of the IRGC and Basij, personally fired at protesters during nationwide demonstrations in January, witnesses told Iran International.
The Third Phase of the Iranian Revolution
There is a recurring tendency among Western analysts to interpret Iran’s political transformations through categories imported from the European experience.
Oil prices retain highs - Trump says ‘I’ll never apologize’
ALBAWABA - The oil market finds no reprieve as the Iran war continues to stifle supply and drive up prices through shortages and insurance premiums
Choppy Chinese animated movie 'Niu Lai' garners $370,000
ALBAWABA - A low-budget Chinese animated movie called 'Niu Lai' (Here Comes the Ox) took the internet by storm for its stiff animation, choppy 3D models,
Who is 'Death car driver'? Iran hangs Shahram Sadeghi
For the last couple of hours,
Video: Does NYC Mayor Mamdani speak Mandarin?
ALBAWABA - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently took to social media with a video where he spoke fluent Mandarin to promote free Broadway tickets for local high school students
Bus overturns killing 12 in Hungary
At least 12 people were killed when a bus overturned on a Hungarian highway early Sunday,
Videos of harassment at Mohamed Ramadan's concert anger Egyptians
ALBAWABA - The internet was buzzing with reports of harassment by a group of women at the concert of Egyptian prominent singer Mohamed Ramadan on the North Coast
Drone illegally breaches Romania, F-18 fighter jet shoots it down
Romania’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday that a drone illegally entered its airspace but was shot down by NATO.According to the ministry’s s
Libya turns black after power outage due to blast near power station
ALBAWABA - Large areas in western Libya witnessed a widespread power outage on Saturday evening, affecting the capital, Tripoli, cities along the western coast,
Iran executes man accused of driving into police during January protests
Iran executed Shahram Sadeghi early Sunday after accusing him of security offenses and deliberately driving into police officers during protests in Karaj on January 8, the judiciary’s Mizan News reported.
‘Everyone lives in fear’: Yemenis worry about return to all-out war
Yemen’s years-long civil conflict killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted millions and drove the country to the brink of famine before a 2022 truce restored relative calm. Now, renewed hostilities between the Houthi rebels and the government have many fearing the return of all-out war. Hodeida native Anwar, a father of two, recalls fleeing the advance of the Iran-backed Houthis, seeking refuge in the city of Mokha.
Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets
Iran claims they have been held since Qatar downed two fighter jets at the start of the US-Iran war.
Trump cabinet official's awkward TikTok sparks internet frenzy
A TikTok video featuring Kelly Loeffler, the top official in the U.S.
Mohsen Rezaei’s son among nine identified in $11-billion Iran oil network
Relatives of some of Iran’s most powerful security figures, including Mohsen Rezaei’s son, were among nine people tied to an oil-sales network that sources say failed to return about $11 billion in proceeds, an Iran International investigation found.
Eleven killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, authorities say
Israel's military said it had struck "Hezbollah terror infrastructure" in response to what it described as earlier action against its soldiers.
Due to "Secret Meeting": Iran detains two French diplomats
Iranian police have arrested two French diplomats in a national security operation, sources said,
Qatar rejects Iran’s claim it captured three Su-24 pilots alive
Qatar on Saturday dismissed the Iranian military’s claim that it had detained and held three pilots from two Su-24 bombers shot down in March, saying it recovered only one pilot’s remains and had invited Tehran to review the search.
From Gaza to Iran, Washington’s wars are becoming an electoral liability
A political rally in Florida should not, by itself, tell us much about the direction of American foreign policy. This one might.
Amnesty: Israeli state backs escalation of settler violence in occupied West Bank
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the ongoing siege of three Palestinian families’ homes by Israeli settlers in the village of Qusra,
Iran’s rulers turn attention to the threat from within
As Iran confronts military pressure abroad and mounting economic strain at home, signs are emerging that the Islamic Republic is increasingly turning its attention to another potential threat: renewed unrest on its own streets.
Yemen’s Mocha port halts operations after Houthi attacks, port director says
Aug 15 (Reuters) - Yemen’s Mocha port has suspended commercial and maritime operations after being hit by more than 25 missiles in Houthi attacks over recent days, the port’s director said on Saturday.The attacks killed seven people and caused an estimated $16 million in losses, the director told a news conference.• Mocha is a Red Sea port near the Bab el-Mandab strait, a strategic chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and a key route for international shipping.
Miss Earth Indonesia 2025 Putri Andriani Juficha dies on her 26th birthday
ALBAWABA - Miss Earth Indonesia 2025 Putri Andriani Juficha dies tragically on her 26th birthday.The joy of celebrating the birthday of Putri Andriani Juficha,
Here is why Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ shut down his 5 million followers Instagram account
Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ has made a surprising move on social media,
Video: Fight breaks out between Egypt coach Hossam Hassan's wife and his family
ALBAWABA - Local media reports and videos circulating on social media say that a family disagreement involving the wife of Egypt’s national football team coach, Hossam Hassan,
NYC Mamdani's wife's Syria visit sparks unexpected political storm
A planned personal trip to Syria and Lebanon by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji,
Kendall Jenner nude beach photos ignite social media buzz and debate
ALBAWABA - Kendall Jenner nude beach photos spark debate and major social-media buzz.The shift from the twenties to the thirties is frequently a period for introspection, but Kendall Jenner saw it as a subtle, powerful statement of independence, self-confidence,
Washington is coming for Iran's wallet
The United States is developing a new, wide package of economic measures aimed at increasing pressure on Iran,
War redraws Iran’s trade as ties with key partners plunge
Iran says its non-oil trade has fallen by around 30% since the war began, but figures from several of its biggest trading partners point to far steeper declines in some of the country’s most important commercial relationships.
3 Palestinians injured in Israeli drone strike in central Gaza despite ceasefire
Three Palestinians were injured on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, Anadolu reports.
Lebanon says 9 dead in strikes as Israel says targeted Hezbollah
Lebanon said Israeli strikes on the south killed 11 people including three children on Saturday, the deadliest raids since deals in June eased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel’s military said the strikes in the early morning were in retaliation for an attack by the Iran-backed militant group on its troops in south Lebanon. They came as Israel and Lebanon were set to hold an eighth round of US-sponsored direct negotiations early next month in Rome.
EU faces criticism for secret police data talks with Israel: Report
The European Commission has been negotiating a secret agreement to share sensitive personal data with Israel’s police service,
UAE says tanker belonging to national oil company targeted in Strait of Hormuz
The UAE said Friday that a tanker belonging to its national oil company ADNOC was targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports.
Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
By Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Rick Noack KABUL/ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The Taliban marked five years in power on Saturday, seeking to portray their government as in control even as aid and rights groups warned of escalating crises. Outside the former U.S. embassy in Kabul, armoured Taliban vehicles took part in a parade, displaying flags and banners, and celebrating what the government described as "victory day" from Western domination.
22 oxygen stations out of service in Gaza amid Israeli blockade: Health Ministry
At least 22 of the Gaza Strip’s 34 oxygen stations have been forced out of service, the Palestinian Health Ministry warned Saturday,
Israeli airstrike kills 7, injures 3 in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire
At least nine people, including three children, were killed and 11 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon early Saturday,
Children among Palestinians suffering from gas inhalation in Israeli raid on West Bank village
Several Palestinians, including children, suffered from tear gas inhalation on Saturday, when Israeli forces raided the village of Al-Mughayyir,
Trump was ‘joking’ about declaring Strait of Hormuz US territory: US media
US President Donald Trump was “joking” when he said he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory after the war with Iran, US media reported Friday, Anadolu reports.
The Saudi–Turkish–Pakistani Security Agreement: A Preliminary Assessment
The Mecca Agreement, signed on 7 August, may not be the first step in a series of moves that key states in the region have begun to take, reflecting significant strategic shifts.
Iran fires back at Trump’s threat to declare Hormuz a US territory
Iran on Saturday fired back at US President Donald Trump’s claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded “will remain Iranian”. Trump has repeatedly said the strait, which Tehran effectively closed at the start of the Middle East war in late February, is under US control -- an assertion the Islamic republic denies. “The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X.
Sanctions alone cannot topple Iran’s regime, former Treasury official says
Sanctions can make Iran’s military and nuclear activities costlier and more difficult but cannot bring down the Islamic Republic on their own, former US Treasury official and weapons procurement expert Kerri Bitsoff told Iran International.
Iran defiant on strait as Trump tells Americans to accept high gas prices
By Eman Abouhassira, Enas Alashray and Humeyra PamukDUBAI/CAIRO/GARDEN CITY, New York, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Iran called on the U.S. to accept defeat on Saturday, while President Donald Trump blasted Tehran as “very evil” and told Americans to prepare for continued high fuel prices as a result of the war.Progress towards peace talks and oil tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz remained halted, with no sign the warring parties were moving toward ending the conflict that the U.S. and Israel launched on February 28.
A $50 million hostage ransom funded al Qaeda’s Mali offensive, UN says
By David Lewis LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - An estimated $50 million ransom paid to free a hostage seized by al Qaeda-linked militants in Mali in late 2025 has helped to fund their advances across West Africa and the group's global network, U.N. experts said. A new U.N. report detailing the use of the ransom did not identify the hostage or say who had made the payment.
Former boxing star Prichard Colón dies at 33, 11 years after brain injury
Former boxer Prichard Colon died at the age of 33, eleven years after suffering life-altering brain injuries in the fight.The Puerto Rican wa
Princess Iman welcomes twin daughters as Jordanian royal family celebrates
Princess Iman bint Abdullah II and her husband, Jameel Alexander Thermiotis, have welcomed twin baby girls,
UAE says Iran attacked ADNOC vessel in Hormuz, urges waterway’s reopening
CAIRO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday Iran had attacked an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessel while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported.ADNOC said no injuries were reported and that the situation was under control, according to WAM.The UAE foreign ministry called on Tehran to halt what it described as unprovoked attacks, end hostilities and fully reopen the waterway.There was no immediate comment from Iran.
UN urges support for Afghan women amid tightening Taliban curbs
By David Brunnstrom Aug 14 (Reuters) - The United Nations appealed to donors on Friday not to cut funding for women's programs in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, saying this would add to suffering in a country where conditions for women are already the worst in the world.
Iran hits back after Trump says he may declare Hormuz US territory
President Donald Trump said he may soon declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory as shipping through the waterway nearly stopped and Tehran insisted it alone would decide when the strait opens or closes.
Trump: strait of Hormuz will soon be "American Territory"
U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up his rhetoric against Iran,
Fear of unrest complicates Iran’s gasoline dilemma
The aborted move in Kerman Province revived one of the most politically explosive questions in Iran: how to curb gasoline consumption without repeating the upheaval that followed the last major nationwide price increase in 2019.
Aid access hampered by more than 900 obstacles in West Bank: UN
Humanitarian operations in the occupied West Bank are being delayed and restricted by a network of more than 900 physical obstacles, including checkpoints, gates and roadblocks, the UN said Friday,
Flags, Field Marshals, and foreign masters: Pakistan’s independence pageant
Every August 14, Pakistan performs sovereignty like a state auditioning for the role of itself. Flags breed on rooftops. Fighter jets carve patriotism into the sky.
As Saudi Arabia rallies against Yemen’s Houthis, US stays focused on Iran
WASHINGTON – As Saudi Arabia gears up to head off any attempt by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait through further attacks on commercial shipping, the Trump administration remains focused on maintaining the blockade of Iran, officials said Friday.
If Indonesia’s support for Palestine never changes, why is Israel’s ZIM shipping company still reaching its ports?
On 14 August 2026, the Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani,
Trump dismisses concerns over conditions on US aircraft carrier
President Donald Trump dismissed concerns Friday over living conditions and the mental health of service members on a US aircraft carrier deployed against Iran, while confirming the ship would soon rotate out. Asked by reporters whether family members were worried about the situation on the USS Abraham Lincoln, Trump said “no, they’re not.” Trump also rejected the idea that the ship -- now in its ninth month at sea -- had been deployed for too long. “No, no, no, not nearly enough,” he said.
Burak Özçivit returns as Kenan Kozan in first Güneşin Doğduğu Yer teaser
Burak Özçivit is returning to television with a new leading role,
Activists deliver aid to Palestinians in homes besieged by Israeli settlers
Two families have been trapped in their homes in the occupied West Bank for several days.
Beyond bases: Russia’s foothold in Syria shrinks even as ties endure
Syria's relations with Russia have entered a new phase with a deal reorganizing Moscow’s military presence, and leaving the door open to continued economic relations and influence.
Ireland’s university leaders must step up where the Irish government has failed
For many in Ireland the refrain of being the most pro-Palestine supporting country in Europe is a badge of honour (although perhaps the Spanish would have something to say about that).
Morocco tightens security ahead of calls for mass crossing into Spain’s Ceuta
Morocco stepped up security measures Friday in the northern city of Fnideq and other areas ahead of social media calls for a mass attempt to cross into the Spanish-administered enclave of Ceuta,
Tehran weighs benefits of brief Hormuz reprieve
With a deadline to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz only days away, parts of Iran’s media are increasingly treating any easing of tensions not as a return to normality but as a brief window to replenish essential supplies before the confrontation potentially resumes.
