Middle East
Global ratings agency S&P on Friday affirmed its long-term sovereign credit rating on Israel at “AA-/A-1+” and maintained its outlook at “stable”. Despite security and...
Turkey’s Erdogan says U.N. must act to halt Gaza conflict
President Tayyip Erdogan called on the United Nations and Muslim countries on Friday to halt the worst fighting between Israel and Gaza militants in years,...
Twelve killed in explosion at Kabul mosque during Friday prayers
An explosion inside a mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital Kabul killed at least 12 people during Friday prayers as worshippers gathered for...
Israel pounds Gaza to curb Palestinian militants but rockets still fly (Update)
Israel pummelled Gaza with artillery fire and air strikes on Friday as it targeted Palestinian militant tunnels to try to stop persistent rocket attacks on Israeli towns....
Electricity company shuts down power to Lebanon
Turkey’s Karpowership, which provides electricity to Lebanon from two barges, said on Friday it was shutting down supplies over payment arrears and a legal threat...
Israel fires artillery into Gaza, Palestinian rocket attacks persist
Israel fired artillery and mounted more air strikes on Friday against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip amid constant rocket fire deep into Israel‘s commercial centre....
In Lebanon, fruit withers on the vine; drug smuggling has closed markets
Lebanon at this time is “a basket of fruit,” but now much of it will die on the vine or be sold for animal food,...
Gaza conflict intensifies with rocket barrages and air strikes (Update)
Palestinian militants fired more rockets into Israel‘s commercial heartland on Thursday as Israel kept up a punishing bombing campaign in Gaza and massed tanks and troops on the...
Israel masses troops along Gaza as rocket fire, air strikes escalate (Update 2)
Israel prepared ground troops along the Gaza border on Thursday and Hamas launched rocket barrages at Israel as international calls mounted for an end to...
Israel strikes kill senior Hamas commander, Palestinians fire rockets (Update 3)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jeffrey Heller Israel said it killed 16 members of the Hamas armed wing in Gaza in a barrage on Wednesday and...