middle-east - INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR JOURNALISM AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Saeb Erekat: Key Palestinian negotiator dies of Covid-19

One of the most prominent Palestinian political figures, Saeb Erekat, has died with Covid-19, officials say. ...

Palestine intensifies measures ahead of third wave of coronavirus

Palestinian Authorities in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip have applied strict measures ahead of a third wave of coronavirus infections after the number of people who have the disease increased recently. ...

Lebanon's Bassil rejects US sanctions as unjust and politically motivated

Influential Lebanese Christian politician Gebran Bassil said on Sunday that US sanctions against him were unjust, politically motivated and the result of his refusal to break ties with Hezbollah, Reuters reports. ...

Iran's daily COVID-19 deaths hit record of 459

Iran’s daily tally of coronavirus deaths hit a record high of 459 on Sunday, the health ministry announced, increasing the official toll to 38,291 in the Middle East’s worst-hit country, Reuters reports. ...

Lebanon's Gebran Bassil hit by US sanctions 'for corruption'

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on a top Lebanese politician whom it has accused of playing a major role in corruption in the country. ...

EU sanctions ministers of Syria's Assad regime

The European Union on Friday imposed sanctions on eight newly appointed ministers of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime over violent repression against the civilian population. ...

Iraq arrests PM’s adviser on corruption charges

Iraqi security forces yesterday arrested Raad Al-Haris, adviser to Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, and the country’s former deputy minister of electricity, over charges linked to corruption and mismanagement. ...

80 Palestinian prisoners have COVID-19, rights group warns

More than 80 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails have contracted coronavirus, the Wa’ed Association for Prisoners and Liberated Prisoners said in a press conference in Gaza today. ...

Iraq anti-riot police violently disperse sit-in in Basra

Anti-riot police in Iraq on Saturday stormed a sit-in organised by anti-government protesters in Al-Bahariya Square, in the city of Basra. ...

Lebanon lengthens night-time curfew and other news from the Middle East

Lebanon has lengthened a nationwide night-time curfew in place since September by four hours and extended lockdowns in 115 towns and villages, amid a continuing surge in new coronavirus infections. ...

Turkey earthquake: Search efforts continue for third day as death toll rises

Rescue teams in the Turkish port city of Izmir are continuing to search for survivors of Friday's powerful earthquake, as officials say the death toll has increased to at least 60. ...

Lebanon rejects new migrant worker contract

A court in Lebanon suspended plans on Wednesday to introduce a new migrant worker contract that would have replaced the long-criticised kafala system. ...

New Sunni front in Iraq parliament opposes Speaker Halbousi

A new Sunni front has emerged in Iraq comprising 35 parliamentarians who seek to oust the speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives, Mohamed Al-Halbousi. ...

Israel, Lebanon hold second round of sea border talks

Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday held a second round of US-mediated talks over their disputed sea border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area, though sources said gaps between the sides remain large, Reuters reports. ...