Israel launches airstrikes against Islamic Jihad in Gaza Three months before the Nov. 1 elections, and following growing tensions on Gaza border, Prime Minister Yair Lapid decided to respond forcefully to Islamic Jihad threats. Israel
US urges Israel to expedite legislation needed for visa waiver A senior official at the US Embassy in Jerusalem warned that if the Knesset waits until after the Nov. 1 elections to pass legislation required for the American visa-waiver plan, the wait for entering the program could be very long. Israel
Drones used by Iran-backed militias are coming from China, US says Senior US official accuses Beijing of playing both sides in the Middle East’s race for drone technology. Gulf
US calls on Yemen's Houthis to release embassy staff US Special Envoy Yemen Tim Lenderking said the rebels' detention of US and UN staff "sends an extremely negative signal." Yemen
Lebanese mourn, seethe as damaged and neglected Beirut port silos fall Victims of the Beirut blast can only watch as the port’s ruined grain silos – an unofficial monument to those killed and a symbol of denied justice – have begun to collapse after two years of indecision from government authorities. Lebanon
Russia eyes Port Sudan as key naval hub Russia-Sudan ties have deepened since the October 2021 military takeover in Sudan and the Russia-Ukraine war. North Africa
Iranian satellite to help agricultural production, disaster management Iran experiences water issues due to inefficiency, drought and other factors, and this relates to the agricultural sector as well as sandstorms. Iran
Breaking | Last Updated: August 4, 2022, 2:33 pm Beirut port silos collapse on second anniversary of explosion Some Lebanese felt traumatized at seeing another fire at the site of the 2020 blast that devastated the capital. Lebanon
After years of hostility, Turkey forges ties with eastern Libya Turkey’s hosting of the head of Libya’s eastern-based parliament sets a meaningful landmark in its bid to reshape its Libya policy. Turkey
Muqtada al-Sadr complicates Iranian moves in Iraq Iranians from different sides look at Iraq's Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s recent move with suspicion. Iraq
