Latest Middle East News
After outcry, WH says Biden will lift refugee cap in May
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing swift blowback from allies and aid groups, the White House on Friday said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor’s historically low cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements. ...
Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%, its highest level ever
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highest-ever purity, edging close to weapons-grade levels, as it attempts to pressure negotiators in Vienna amid talks on restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main enrichment site. ...
UN agrees to deploy cease-fire monitors in Libya
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — International monitors will watch over a nearly six-month-old cease-fire agreement in Libya, the U.N. Security Council decided in a vote announced Friday, as the country heads toward December elections after a decade of fighting and upheaval. The...
The Latest: Decreasing demand for vaccines in Kansas
MISSION, Kan. — Some Kansas counties are rejecting new COVID-19 vaccine shipments or reducing their orders because of decreased demand for the drugs, worrying health officials who say mass vaccinations are the only path to a return to normalcy. Dennis Kriesel, the...
Vartan Gregorian, longtime president of Carnegie Corp., dies
NEW YORK (AP) — Vartan Gregorian, the noted scholar and philanthropic leader who led the Carnegie Corporation of New York since 1997, died Thursday after being hospitalized for stomach pain. He was 87. “The Corporation has lost a devoted and tireless leader — an...
UN: 40 civilian casualties in central Yemen in March alone
CAIRO (AP) — The ongoing battle between Yemen's Houthi rebels and government forces in the central province of Marib has caused 40 civilian casualties in March alone, the U.N. refugee agency said Friday. At least 70 incidents of armed violence including shelling,...
Israel: Rocket from Gaza is 2nd in 24 hours; no injuries
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country’s south Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries. Early Friday, Israeli aircraft hit...
Veteran AP producer, cameraman in Iraq dies of COVID-19
BEIRUT (AP) — Khodeir Majid, who covered Iraq’s numerous conflicts as a video producer and cameraman for the Associated Press over 17 years has died, relatives said Friday. He was 64. The cause of death was complications due to the coronavirus. Majid had been...
Muslims mark 1st Ramadan Friday prayers in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (AP) — Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered at a sacred Jerusalem plaza for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan after coronavirus lockdowns kept the site off-limits last year. About 70,000 faithful, most of them Arab citizens of Israel, prayed at...
Israel says it will 'definitely' stop Iran from getting bomb
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Israel’s foreign minister said Friday that his country was determined to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon, after Tehran promised to step up its uranium enrichment process. “We will do whatever it takes to prevent the extremists (in...
