Fuel tanker in Saudi Arabia hit by explosion The incident follows other recent attacks on the country's oil industry from the Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. Originals
Turkey-Iran tensions spike over Azerbaijan Iran is stirring up a diplomatic quarrel over a poem recited by Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his recent visit to Azerbaijan's capital, Baku. Turkey
Iran sentences Kameel Ahmady, British-Iranian anthropologist, to prison Ahmady, who is ethnically Kurdish, had researched child marriage and female genital mutilation in Iran. Iran
US sanctions Turkey over S-400 purchase The Foreign Ministry in Ankara said it will "retaliate" for the sanctions on four top officials of Turkey's defense procurement agency. Turkey
One reported dead in fight between Kurdish groups in Iraq A peshmerga soldier in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq reportedly died during a fight with the PKK on Sunday amid tensions between the two groups as well as with Turkey. Iraq
International court finds UK war crimes in Iraq but will not open investigation The International Criminal Court has closed its probe because it could not conclude that UK authorities were unwilling to genuinely carry out an investigation. Iraq
US rescinds Sudan’s terror sponsor designation, but hurdles remain The announcement was celebrated in Sudan, but Khartoum is still laden under huge debt and is not yet immune to terror lawsuits in US courts. United States
Netanyahu boosts Israeli cultivated beef with high-profile visit to farm The visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Aleph Farms offered the Israeli cultured-meat industry a media boost. Israel
How Russia is preparing in Syria for Biden’s presidency Moscow is hoping the final months of outgoing President Donald Trump's presidency will allow it an opportunity to reinforce its positions in Syria. Syria
US sanctions Iranian officials over Robert Levinson’s abduction The US government believes Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai were involved in the abduction, detention and probable death of the retired FBI agent. Iran
Rouhani under fire for signaling nuclear deal reentry Conservatives have rejected the idea of holding new talks with the United States. United States
Israeli settler attacks on church sanctities in Palestine continue amid lax international response The Israeli settlers continue their attacks against Palestinian Muslim and Christian places of worship, the latest of which has been the attempt to set on fire the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem. Palestine
Egypt’s future as internet cable hub at risk from proposed Google fiber optic network Google intends to build a new corridor for internet traffic via a fiber optic network for the first time between Israel and Saudi Arabia, linking Asia to Europe, which is seen as a threat to Egypt's future as a major transit point for international submarine cables. Egypt
Egypt moves fight against harassment to its trains The Egyptian National Railways launched a new campaign to combat harassment on public transport, namely on trains, calling on women to report any incident they encounter. Egypt
Islamic State continues to pose threat in Syrian desert The Islamic State continues to haunt and drain out the Syrian regime forces even after it lost its last stronghold in Syria more than a year ago. Syria
After months of secret talks, Israel, Bhutan establish diplomatic ties Some observers expect that still other countries, including Oman, may follow suit before US President Donald Trump leaves office. Israel
