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  Israel launched an airstrike near the Syrian capital early on Friday, according to Syrian state media, making it the second assault within two days. At least three significant explosions were reported by Reuters reporters overnight over the city. State media claimed that Israel launched "sprays of rockets" shortly after midnight, citing a military source. The source claimed that the assault resulted in some material damage and that the Syrian air defenses "intercepted the missiles and shot down a number of them." The number of fatalities wasn't disclosed. Without giving more specifics, the source claimed that the assault took place at "a site in the countryside of Damascus." Israel did not immediately respond to reports of strikes in Syria and typically does not remark on such reports. Since starting to back President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that broke out in 2011, Israel has been conducting attacks against targets in Syria that it ...

  Attacks on American forces in Syria are forcing Washington to return to the Middle East as it tries to refocus its attention and resources on China and Russia. The Biden administration is having to deal with the region all over again after militants carried out a series of drone strikes late last week, killing one American contractor. It occurs during significant geopolitical changes in the region that stretches from Libya to Afghanistan, including the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this month, mediated by China; negotiations to repair alliances between Saudi Arabia and Syria, mediated by Russia; and the failure of efforts by Iran and the United States to relaunch the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, under the auspices of Russia. A senior fellow at the Middle East Institute said that "The Middle East is experiencing a sandstorm. And they've been changing very quickly over the past six...

  The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, turned down United States President Joe Biden’s suggestion that the Israeli government “walks away” from a plan to overhaul the country’s legal system. A verbal spat between the two close allies took place on Wednesday. The US President and Israeli Prime Minister exchanged a few words on judicial changes in Israel. On Tuesday, reporters asked Joe Biden about Israel’s judicial overhaul planned reforms. Biden reportedly said, “I hope he (Netanyahu) walks away from it.” He said that the Israeli government “cannot continue down this road” and urged compromise on this plan to overhaul the country’s legal system. Subsequently, the Israeli PM said that his country makes its own decisions. He reportedly said in a statement, “Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.” Netanyahu’s latest comments came a day after he de...

  At least 20 people were killed around 4:00 pm on Monday and 29 more injured after a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a barrier at the end of a bridge, overturned, and caught fire in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region. The incident in the southern province of Asir, bordering Yemen, comes during the holy month of Ramadan, a busy time for the Umrah pilgrimage, and just months before scores of Muslims will make the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Although the state-affiliated Al Ekhbariya channel reported that the victims had "different nationalities", it did not mention them or provide a breakdown. Footage broadcast on the channel showed what appeared to be the burned-out shell of the bus. While the private newspaper Okaz said an issue with the brakes prompted the accident, Al Ekhbariya reported the vehicle had "car trouble". The bus had departed Khamis Mushayt and was heading to Abha. Monday's accident occurred in Aqabat Shaar, a 14 km road that was open...

 Israel has been shaken by weeks of protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. The demonstrations, which began in response to corruption allegations and the handling of the COVID-19 crisis, have now spread to other issues, including the country's judiciary. Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the judiciary has been met with strong opposition from legal experts, civil society groups, and opposition politicians. The proposed reforms include reducing the power of the Supreme Court, granting the government more influence over the appointment of judges, and limiting the ability of the court to strike down laws passed by the Knesset. Critics argue that these changes would undermine the independence of the judiciary and consolidate power in the hands of the government, potentially eroding democracy and human rights in Israel. Many fear that Netanyahu is trying to shield himself and his allies from legal accountability, as he faces several corruption charges. The ...

  Elections are scheduled to take place on November 18 in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, according to the government spokesman. Reportedly, the regional government spokesman announced the date of the elections on Sunday. Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani also issued a decree to give approval to the date of the elections. While attending the news conference, KRG spokesman Dilshad Shahab said that the Iraqi Kurdistan President gave approval for the election’s date. The elections will take place to elect a parliament and a president for Kurdish regions in Iraq. Iraq’s Kurdistan region gained self-rule in 1991 when a U.S.-led coalition forced Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army to withdraw from them. Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. The removal of Saddam helped Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Recently, Iraq won a legal case against Turkey over Kurdish oil exports. Iraq and Turkey have been locked in a nine-year dispute over oil exports from the semi-auton...

The two countries have long been at odds and have been involved in regional conflicts for decades. However, the potential benefits of this agreement extend far beyond Saudi Arabia and Iran. Israel, in particular, could potentially benefit from this historic agreement. Israel has long been a contentious issue in the Middle East, and its relationship with its Arab neighbors has been fraught with tension. However, the recent agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran could potentially shift the balance of power in the region and benefit Israel in several ways. Firstly, the agreement could potentially reduce tensions in the region, which would benefit Israel. The Middle East has been marked by conflicts, proxy wars, and political instability for decades. The agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran could potentially ease some of these tensions, creating a more stable environment in the region. Secondly, the agreement could potentially lead to greater cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran,...

  The United States (US) airstrikes in eastern Syria on Thursday killed eight pro-Iran fighters, a war monitor said Friday. The US reportedly launched airstrikes in Syria after a drone attack killed a U.S. contractor and injured five other U.S. service personnel. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, confirmed that eight people were killed in the US strike. He reportedly said, “US strikes targeted a weapons depot inside Deir Ezzor city, killing six pro-Iran fighters.” He further revealed that two other fighters were killed by airstrikes in the desert of Mayadine. The US said that the coalition forces in Syria affiliated with the IRGC carried out a drone attack against a US-led coalition base in Syria, which killed the American contractor. Subsequently, the US retaliated to the attack by carrying out airstrikes against facilities in eastern Syria. General Michael Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command, reportedly sa...

 Lebanon is facing a critical moment in its history as its much-needed reforms remain stalled. The country is in a "very dangerous situation," warns United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The current political and economic crisis has brought the country to the brink, with no clear path to recovery. The root causes of Lebanon's crisis are deep and complex, but the lack of political will to implement reforms is a major factor. Corruption, mismanagement, and political infighting have left the country in a dire situation. The Lebanese people are suffering, with rising unemployment, inflation, and poverty. The international community has pledged support, but the promised aid and investment are contingent on the implementation of reforms. The Lebanese government must act swiftly to address the crisis and implement the reforms needed to stabilize the country. The reform agenda includes measures to address corruption, improve governance, and revive the economy. The re...

  The Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a phone call to mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. They also agreed to meet “soon” to start the process of re-opening embassies and consulates in the two countries. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, called Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, to congratulate him on the occasion of Ramadan. The Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter, "The two ministers agreed to hold a bilateral meeting soon in order to pave the way for the reopening of embassies and consulates between the two countries.” According to the Saudi state news agency SPA (Saudi Press Agency), the Iranian foreign minister expressed Iran's readiness to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, the two countries agreed to revive their relations after years of hostility. The deal to revive...

  Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Muhammad Al-Bassami has said that pilgrims need to book an appointment on the Nusuk or Tawakkalna applications in order to perform Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Addressing a press conference of the commanders of the Umrah security forces in the holy city of Mecca on Tuesday, he announced the readiness of the Umrah security plans for implementation during the holy month of Ramadan. According to the Saudi interior ministry, under the Umrah security plans, the authorities would manage and organise crowds and traffic as well as provide humanitarian services to pilgrims. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami called on pilgrims to adhere to their specific dates in order to perform Umrah in the Kingdom. He arrived at the 911 Unified Operations Center in Mecca to discuss the ministry’s plans and preparations for this year’s Umrah season. Al-Bassami said that the preparations for Umrah were being organised in coordination with the Saudi Min...

 The attack, which took place near the West Bank city of Nablus, left three Israelis dead and one injured. The Israeli government has blamed the attack on Palestinian militants and has vowed to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. As part of this effort, Israeli security forces have been conducting raids and making arrests in several Palestinian cities, including Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. According to reports, dozens of Palestinians have been detained, including some who were previously released as part of a prisoner exchange. The arrest campaign has been met with strong condemnation from Palestinian officials and human rights organizations, who have accused Israel of using collective punishment and violating international law. Palestinian officials have called on the international community to intervene and put an end to what they describe as Israeli aggression. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have defended the arrests as necessary for maintaining s...

  With the aid of Massachusetts Institute of Technology experts, Bahrain is working to revitalize its pearl industry. A three-year partnership between the top US institution and the Bahrain Institute for Pearls andIt will make it easier to distinguish between farmed pearls made by humans and highly valued natural pearls. This is a component of the Bahraini government's dedication to natural pearls, a pricey commodity that for thousands of years served as the primary source of wealth for the Gulf region, including the UAE. Danat is dedicated to Bahrain's goal of preserving and advancing its history of pearling. In order to enhance and solidify Bahrain's position as a major producer of natural pearls, the country of Bahrain launched a national plan to revitalize the pearl industry in 2017. Gemstones (Danat), a gemological laboratory that specializes in the examination and research of genuine pearls, has been established. In order to individually identify a natura...

   On Sunday, Russian officials including Denis Manturov, the nation's minister of industry and trade, and Mikhail Bogdanov, a special representative of President Vladimir Putin, were received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Mr. El Sisi discussed strengthening economic ties with the Russian authorities at the meeting, which was also attended by the vice-president of the Central Bank of Russia and the federation's ambassador in Cairo, according to a statement from the presidency. According to the communiqué, a joint Egyptian-Russian committee is now meeting in Cairo to discuss ways to collaborate in the business, industry, research, and artistic sectors. This month's meeting of the group will be its 14th in order to improve ties between Moscow and Cairo. The latest on Russian investments in Egypt, which Mr. El Sisi hopes to increase, was also discussed at the meeting. More grain and wheat trading was also considered, "in light of the ongoing difficulties in...

  According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.

  Two state-level policy changes in the Middle East are likely to combine to have a significant impact on regional stability in light of recent political developments . After a seven-year hiatus, Saudi Arabia and Iran decided to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies on March 10 in a deal mediated by China and signed in Beijing. That is, as Simon Mabon remarked in an essay for the Conversation, a great development even though it is still far from putting an end to wars like the bloody war in Yemen. The Times' Middle East correspondent Michael Spencer had previously written on a Gulf plot to normalize ties with the Assad regime in Syria. If this allegation is true, the two occurrences will have a significant impact on Middle East affairs, not least because of recent social and political changes in Iran and Israel. The Times article's main point was that some Arab countries desire to normalize their ties with Damascus, despite the US and its western partners...

 The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing support for the move while others have taken to the streets to protest. On the day the ban was announced, protesters gathered in Baghdad and other major cities to voice their opposition. Chanting slogans such as "Iraq is not an Islamic country," they argued that the ban violated their rights to consume alcohol and live according to their own beliefs. The ban is seen as a victory for religious conservatives in the country who have long advocated for stricter adherence to Islamic law. Supporters of the ban argue that it is necessary to preserve the country's religious and cultural values and protect its citizens from the negative effects of alcohol. However, critics argue that the ban will only lead to an increase in illegal alcohol production and consumption, as well as an erosion of personal freedoms. They also point out that Iraq is a diverse country with a significant non-Muslim population, and that ...

  In the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023, Singapore's Changi edged Doha's Hamad International Airport into the second spot, earning the title of the world's best airport for a record 12th time. The results were determined by a customer satisfaction survey. The Asian hub had lost its crown to Qatar for two years running during the height of Covid-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. While Tokyo's Haneda Airport secured its third position on the list this year as well, the US was conspicuous by its absence in the top 10. Paris Charles de Galle was the top performer in Europe, while Seattle-Tacoma International Airport performed the best among its North American compatriots, seeing an improvement from last year's 27th place to this year's 18th. Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer for Changi Airport Group, appreciated the results, adding "this recognition is great encouragement to our airport community."  Apart from being named the world...

  Following an agreement to reestablish diplomatic ties, investments by Saudi Arabia in Iran might occur "quite soon," according to Mohammed Al Jadaan, the country's finance minister. Despite years of negotiations between the two nations in Iraq and Oman, a pact to heal relations was publicly mediated by China last Friday. “There are numerous chances in Iran for Saudi investments. As long as the conditions of any agreement are upheld, we don't see any obstacles,” Mr. Al Jadaan remarked on Wednesday at the Financial Sector Conference in Riyadh. The government of Saudi Arabia said last week that the country's GDP had risen to more than $1 trillion, setting new records amid a rise in oil prices. International trade restrictions have harmed Iran's economy for decades; they were only momentarily lifted as part of a deal between Tehran and foreign powers to rein down its nuclear programme. Yet, as the nation's oil minister Javad Owji noted earlier thi...