Gulf

Israel on high alert after US airstrike that killed Iranian general

An Israeli ski resort near the Syrian border that was the site of a previous missile attack was closed to visitors on Friday, amid fears of Iran exacting revenge on…

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Statement by the U.S. Department of Defence on the airstrike in Baghdad

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard…

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Brent jumps nearly $3 after U.S. air strike kills Iranian top official

Brent crude futures jumped close to $3 on Friday to their highest since September after a U.S. air strike killed key Iranian and Iraqi military personnel, raising concerns that escalating…

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Top Iranian General Soleimani killed by US Military on Trump’s orders

The US Department of Defense confirmed Thursday evening that the US military, acting on the orders of President Donald Trump, killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. The commander of Iran's…

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Earthquake shakes north-eastern Iran

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake shook north-eastern Iran on Thursday, state television reported, adding that there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake hit the town of Sangan at…

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Pompeo postpones Ukraine trip because of developments in Iraq

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo postponed a planned trip to Ukraine to deal with the ongoing developments out of Baghdad, the State Department announced. "Secretary Pompeo must postpone his visit…

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Iraq’s pro-Iran militia orders withdrawal from US embassy

Supporters of Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi force began dismantling their sit-in outside the US embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, but hardliners insisted they would stay put. The Hashed, a powerful paramilitary…

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Photo Story: Falconry championship in Dubai

A collection of photos taken during the Fazza Championship for Falconry in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), 30 December 2019. The Fazza Championship for Falconry is sponsored by Dubai's Crown…

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, 30 December 2019. Zarif is in Moscow on…

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Photo Story: Iran, China, Russia joint naval drill

Handout photos made available by the Iranian navy official website shows Russia navy ships, on 28 December 2019, during the second day of joint Iran-Russia-China joint naval drills in the…

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China, Russia, Iran to hold joint naval drills starting Friday

China, Iran and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting on Friday in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, China’s defence ministry said on Thursday amid heightened tension in…

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Saudi forces kill two ‘terrorists’ in shoot-out

Security forces in eastern Saudi Arabia have killed two wanted "terrorists", the kingdom's Al Ekhbariya state television reported on Wednesday. It said the shooting took place during a security operation…

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Saudi Arabia sentences five people to death for Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia has sentenced five people to death and three others to jail terms over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was…

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Twitter takes down thousands of accounts linked to Saudi Arabia

Twitter has removed thousands of accounts linked to Saudi Arabia on the grounds they were violating the social media's platform manipulation policies, it said today. "Accounts were amplifying messages favorable to…

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Qatar FM says early talks with Saudi Arabia have broken stalemate

Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said recent talks have broken a protracted stalemate with Saudi Arabia and that Doha was open to studying demands by its rivals…

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Desert crops in Saudi Arabia thrive as the aquifer shrinks

A handout photo made available by NASA Earth Observatory of a satellite image showing the spread of agriculture around the town of Wadi ad-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, 26 April 2017 (issued…

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Iran says it’s defused another cyberattack, the second in less than a week

Iran's telecommunications minister announced on Sunday that the country has defused a second cyberattack in less than a week, this time “aimed at spying on government intelligence." Mohammad Javad Azari…

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Saudi Aramco shares up sharply on market debut

Saudi Arabia listed state oil company Aramco on the stock exchange on Wednesday in what became the world's biggest-ever initial public offering. Shares opened at 35.2 riyals (€8.47, $9.39), 10% higher…

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No Christmas decorations in Iraq in solidarity with protesters

Leaders of Iraq’s Christians unanimously cancelled Christmas-related celebrations in solidarity with the protest movement — but the aims of their stance go deeper than tinsel and fairy lights. Cardinal Louis…

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Saudi Arabia lifts ban on segregation of women in restaurants

Women will no longer have to be segregated from men in restaurants in Saudi Arabia, according to the country's government. The announcement from the Saudi ministry of municipalities and rural…

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Iran nuclear deal signatories meet in Vienna as accord nears collapse

The remaining signatories to the faltering 2015 Iran nuclear deal will meet in Vienna on Friday with the survival of the landmark agreement at stake after Tehran vowed to continue…

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France, Germany and the United Kingdom say Iran has nuclear-capable missiles

France, Germany and the United Kingdom say “Iran’s developments of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles” go against a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Tehran not to undertake any activity related to…

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Fresh intelligence points to Iranian threat against US forces and interests in Middle East

CNN is reporting that there is fresh intelligence of a potential Iranian threat against US forces and interests in the Middle East, according to several US defence and administration officials.…

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Al-Baghdadi’s ‘deputy’ captured in northern Iraq

A senior Daesh militant close to the former leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has been captured in northern Iraq. Police in Huwaijah, Kirkuk province, managed to track down the extremist…

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Iraqi Prime Minister says he will quit as deadly protests in the country escalate

Iraq's prime minister has announced that he is resigning in the wake of deadly anti-government protests. Adel Abdul-Mahdi's announcement was broadcast on state television, just over a year after he…

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Iraq death toll passes 400 in weeks of mass protests

The death toll in Iraq from weeks of anti-government unrest rose on Friday to at least 408 people killed, mostly unarmed protesters, a Reuters count based on police and medical…

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Photo Story: Protests in Baghdad

Iraqi protesters throw fireworks during clashes with anti-riot police forces at the Al Rasheed street in central Baghdad, Iraq. More than 340 people have died, and thousands have been wounded…

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Photo Story: World Children’s Day in Yemen

A Yemeni child looks on on World Children's Day, in Sanaa, Yemen. World Children's Day is observed every year on 20 November to promote awareness among children worldwide and improving…

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Iranian Supreme leader backs government on fuel price hikes

Iranian state TV says the country’s supreme leader supports the government’s decision to increase fuel prices and calls those setting fire to public property “bandits” backed by the enemies of…

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Saudi Aramco sets IPO share price at around $8.00

Saudi Aramco’s multibillion-dollar initial public offering (IPO), probably the biggest in history, shifted to full gear as its share price was announced and subscription to the world’s biggest oil company…

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Anti-government protests persist in Baghdad

An Iraqi man helps an injured fellow protester during clashes with anti-riot forces at the Al Khilani square in Baghdad, Iraq, 14 November 2019. Security forces killed at least three…

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HSBC cut jobs in UAE as bank look to reduce costs

HSBC Holdings has laid off about 40 bankers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Emirates NBD is cutting around 100 jobs, as banks in the Arab world’s second-biggest economy…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Doha, Qatar

An aerial view of high-rise buildings emerging through fog covering the skyline of Doha, as the sun rises over the city, in Doha, Qatar. Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT

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Reports that Iran downed a drone over port city of Mahshahr

Iranian media reported on Friday that Iran had shot down a drone over its southern port city of Mahshahr, without providing further details. Other Iranian news outlets carried the same…

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Victims in Iran after 5.9 magnitude earthquake

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck northwestern Iran early Friday, killing at least five people and injuring over 300 others, officials said. The temblor struck Tark county in Iran’s Eastern Azerbaijan…

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Anti-government protests in Iraq persist

Iraqi riot police forces take up position in front of protesters who are trying to cross the al-Ahrar Bridge in central Baghdad, Iraq, 05 November 2019 (issued on 07 November…

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Iran has ‘military advantage over US and allies in Middle East’

Iran now has an effective military advantage over the US and its allies in the Middle East because of its ability to wage war using third parties such as Shia…

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Iran begins injecting uranium gas into centrifuges at Fordo

Iran began inserting uranium gas into centrifuges at the Fordo nuclear facility, state television announced Wednesday, marking its latest step away from the nuclear deal. Iranian state media said uranium…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Mecca, Saudi Arabia

An aerial view shows the top of the landmark Clock Tower hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Makkah Royal Clock Tower complex, also known as the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, located near…

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei rules out talks with US

Iran's supreme leader has again ruled out negotiations with Washington, as both countries prepared to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the hostage crisis at the United States embassy in Tehran.…

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World’s most profitable company, Aramco, to go public

Saudi Arabia’s market regulator approved on Sunday Saudi Aramco’s application to list on the domestic stock market as the kingdom seeks to diversify and create the world’s most valuable listed…

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Security forces kill protester in Iraq, wound dozens

Iraqi security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters Saturday, killing at least one and wounding more than 200 in the capital Baghdad and…

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Photo Story: Fashion Forward Dubai 2019

A model displays a creation from the collection of Ezra during Fashion Forward Dubai at the Dubai Design District (d3), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: EPA-EFE/ALI HAIDER

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Iraqi prime minister’s main backers agree to oust him

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s two main backers have agreed to work to remove him from office as protests against his government gained momentum in Baghdad and much of…

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Government and separatists in Yemen reach initial deal

Yemen's internationally recognized government and southern separatists have reached an initial agreement to end their infighting in the country's south, Yemeni officials said Friday. The two — forces loyal to…

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Photo Story: The World’s Ultimate Strongman competition in Dubai

Luke Stoltman (front) of Great Britain during the World’s Ultimate Strongman competition that was held at the Meydan Grandstand in Gulf Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Friday 25…

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Anti-government protests in Iraq leave 42 dead

Renewed anti-government protests across Iraq left more than 40 people dead on Friday. The protests represent a second phase of a week-long movement in early October that ended with more…

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Iraqi police fire live shots, tear gas at Baghdad protesters

Iraqi police fired live shots into the air and dozens of tear gas canisters on Friday to disperse thousands of protesters on the streets of Baghdad, sending young demonstrators running…

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Dubai loosens alcohol laws

Dubai has loosened its liquor laws to allow tourists to purchase alcohol in state-controlled stores, previously only accessible to license-holding residents, as the United Arab Emirates saw the first drop…

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5.4-magnitude earthquake in southern Iran

A handout photo made available by the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows an intensity shake map of a 5.4-magnitude earthquake with a reported epicentre near Bandar-e-Lengeh, southern Iran, 21 October…

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U.S. troops cross into Iraq from Syria

United States troops have crossed into Iraq from Syria through the Sahela border crossing in the northern province of Dohuk. Witnesses saw more than 100 vehicles crossing. U.S. Defence Secretary…

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1 Year to Go to The World’s Greatest Show

The Burj Khalifa is illuminated during the '1 Year to Go to The World's Greatest Show' of Expo2020 Dubai as part of Expo 2020 Dubai Global Media Briefing at Burj…

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UN team oversees the deployment of observers in Yemen

Members of Houthi militia pass a destroyed building during the deployment of observers on front lines in Hodeidah, Yemen. According to reports, Lieutenant General of India Abhijit Guha, chair…

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U.S. Carried Out Secret Cyber Strike on Iran After Saudi Oil Attack

The United States carried out a secret cyber operation against Iran in the wake of the September 14 attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, which Washington and Riyadh blame on…

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Photos released of Iranian Oil Tanker attack

Some of the handout photo made available by the National Iranian Oil Tanker Company on 14 October 2019, reportedly shows damage of Iranian oil tanker Sabiti on its way back…

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Saudi Arabia opens tourist visas to U.S., European visa holders

Tourist visas for Saudi Arabia are now available online and on arrival to holidaymakers who already hold a visa from the United States, Britain or the EU’s Schengen zone, expanding…

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Photo Story: Highlights from the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition in Riyadh

A series of photos during the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The exhibition highlights the conservation of falconry and related hobbies by providing an integrated platform…

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