Latest Middle East News
Israel says Syrian missile was not aimed at nuclear reactor
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said Thursday that a Syrian missile that reached deep into Israeli territory and set off air raid sirens near the country's top-secret nuclear reactor was the result of a misfire and not a deliberate attack. The missile landed in...
The Latest: Virus harms during pregnancy detailed in study
A multi-country study suggests pregnant women who get COVID-19 have higher risks for death, intensive-care stays, preterm birth and other complications. Pregnancy causes various changes in the body that may make women vulnerable to harm from the coronavirus. Pregnant...
UN concerned over halt of oil production in eastern Libya
CAIRO (AP) — The United Nations voiced concern Thursday over the recent halt of oil production at a Libyan eastern terminal and more imminent shutdowns of oil facilities prompted by a budget dispute. On Monday, Libya's National Oil Corporation said it had interrupted...
Jordan releases alleged plotters following king's appeal
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan released 16 people detained earlier this month over an alleged foreign-backed conspiracy linked to a former crown prince after King Abdullah II requested they be let go in honor of the holy month of Ramadan. The 16, including tribal leaders...
Turkey probes cryptocurrency exchange for possible $2B fraud
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation into a cryptocurrency exchange Thursday over allegations it may have defrauded some 390,000 investors of an estimated $2 billion. The office of Istanbul's chief prosecutor said it was probing the...
UK apologizes for racism in memorials to WWI dead
LONDON (AP) — British authorities apologized Thursday after an investigation found that at least 161,000 mostly African and Indian military service personnel who died during World War I weren’t properly honored due to “pervasive racism.” It said that number could possibly range up to...
Syria receives batch of UN vaccines to speed up virus fight
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Syrian government received a batch of 203,000 COVID-19 vaccines Thursday, the health minister said, part of a push to speed up a sluggish inoculation process in the war-torn country. The arrival of the United Nations-secured jabs came as a new...
Pope meets with Lebanon's PM-designate, urges end of crises
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis met with Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri on Thursday and urged all Lebanese political leaders to “urgently commit themselves to the benefit of the nation," as the country endures a series of crises and disagreements that have prevented the...
AP PHOTOS: Dubai-bred baby sharks released into Persian Gulf
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The baby sharks, bred at a gargantuan luxury resort on Dubai’s artificial palm-shaped island, had never before encountered the open sea. But on Thursday, the tiny carpet sharks were jolted out of their warm pools at the flashy...
Sanctions-battered Iran, weary of pandemic, faces worst wave
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — As Iran faces what looks like its worst wave of the coronavirus pandemic yet, Tehran commuters still pour into its subway system and buses each working day, even as images of the gasping ill are repeatedly shown on state television every night. ...
