JERUSALEM (AFP) – Thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem late on Saturday (Sept 26) demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day after the country tightened its lockdown aimed at stemming surging coronavirus cases. Long processions of cars carrying people from throughout the country caused traffic jams in the city, with hundreds of […]

JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israel toughened its coronavirus measures on Thursday (Sept 24) as a second nationwide lockdown failed to bring down the world’s highest infection rate a week after it was imposed. The new rules will close the vast majority of workplaces, shutter markets and further limit prayers and demonstrations. “Over the past two days, […]

The new measures go into effect on Friday and will remain in place until at least mid-October. By Isabel Kershner JERUSALEM — The Israeli government said on Thursday that it was tightening its second national lockdown after coronavirus infection rates soared this week to about 7,000 new cases a day, among the highest in the […]

Turkish officials to head to Tripoli ‘in the coming days’ for talks after GNA head announces he plans to step down. Turkey will continue to support Libya’s internationally recognised government despite Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj announcing last week that he planned to step down by the end of next month, according to President Recep Tayyip […]

WASHINGTON (NYTIMES) – Over the strenuous objections of its closest allies, the Trump administration reimposed United Nations sanctions against Iran on Saturday (Sept 19), though the weight of their repercussions is unclear without the cooperation of the world’s other major powers. In an evening statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the “return of virtually […]

In an economy squeezed by US sanctions and COVID-19, government support goes only so far for pressured tenants. Tehran, Iran– “We were lucky,” says 58-year-old Leila, whose family of four lives in an average-sized unit in an apartment complex in western Tehran. She explained that her landlord recently imposed a 15 percent rent increase and […]

Fayez al-Sarraj, PM of internationally-recognised gov’t, cites progress in talks to unify state and prepare for polls. Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya’s internationally-recognised government, has said he wants to quit by the end of October and hand over power to a new executive authority as efforts to find a political solution to the country’s […]

JERUSALEM (BLOOMBERG) – The treaty Israel and the United Arab Emirates will sign this week won’t fully normalise ties, but will be the start of a yearlong process that could protect the Gulf nation’s interests as it lobbies to buy the US’s top warplane, according to people briefed on the pact. The plan is for […]

JERUSALEM (REUTERS) – Israel’s government has approved the imposition of a three-week nationwide lockdown, starting on Friday, to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Israel’s Ynet news website and Channel 12 television reported on Sunday (Sept 13). During the lockdown Israelis will have to stay within 500m of their houses, Channel 12 reported. But Israel’s […]

DUBAI (REUTERS) – Oman welcomes Bahrain’s decision to normalise relations with Israel and hopes it will contribute to Israeli-Palestinian peace, Oman state media said on Sunday (Sept 13). Bahrain on Friday became the second Gulf country to normalise ties with Israel after the United Arab Emirates said it would do so a month ago, moves […]