Latest Middle East News

US and UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran's weekend attack on Israel

Apr. 18, 2024 17:16 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and U.K. on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East. The sanctions are meant to hold Iran accountable for its weekend attack and to deter...

G7 ministers eye targeted sanctions on Iran and a message of restraint for Israel at Italy meeting

Apr. 17, 2024 14:34 PM EDT

CAPRI, Italy (AP) — Group of Seven foreign ministers are meeting on the Italian resort island of Capri, with the agenda topped by calls Wednesday for targeted new sanctions against Iran over its attack against Israel and more aid to Ukraine to fight Russia’s war. Under Italy’s...

Protests, heightened terror threat mean tight security at Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden

Apr. 17, 2024 09:44 AM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Security will be tight during next month’s Eurovision Song Contest in the southern Sweden city of Malmo, police said Wednesday, citing demonstrations that could lead to unrests and a heightened threat of terrorism in the Scandinavian country. “The...

Japan records a trade deficit for the third straight fiscal year despite recovering exports

Apr. 16, 2024 23:12 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan recorded a trade deficit for the third straight fiscal year as the costs of energy and other imports rose and the yen remained weak. The deficit was 5.89 trillion yen ($38 billion) for the fiscal year that ended in March, according to Finance Ministry data...

The Latest | UN chief calls for `urgent de-escalation' in the Middle East

Apr. 16, 2024 22:34 PM EDT

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for “urgent de-escalation” of hostilities in the Middle East. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that Guterres made the comments during a phone conversation with Iran’s foreign minister following Tehran’s weekend...

Citing safety, USC makes rare cancellation of speech by valedictorian who supported Palestinians

Apr. 16, 2024 20:38 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California canceled a commencement speech by its 2024 valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians, citing security concerns, a rare decision that was praised by several pro-Israel groups and lambasted by free speech advocates and the...

New recruiting programs put Army, Air Force on track to meet enlistment goals. Navy will fall short

Apr. 16, 2024 00:26 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After several difficult years, the Army and Air Force say they are on track to meet their recruiting goals this year, reversing previous shortfalls using a swath of new programs and policy changes. But the Navy, while improving, expects once again to fall short. ...

Macron says the Olympic opening ceremony on the Seine could be moved to stadium for security reasons

Apr. 15, 2024 09:43 AM EDT

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics planned on the River Seine could be shifted instead to the country's national stadium if the security threat is deemed too high. France is on high security alert ahead of the Paris Olympics...

US works to prevent an escalation across the Mideast as Biden pushes Israel to show restraint

Apr. 14, 2024 20:25 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Sunday highlighted its role in helping Israel thwart Iran's aerial attack as President Joe Biden convened leaders of the Group of Seven countries in an effort to prevent a wider regional escalation and coordinate a global rebuke of Tehran. The...

Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted

Apr. 14, 2024 00:40 AM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. A military spokesman said the launches numbered...