Deserts are expanding all over the world, pushed on by climate change Wadi Al-Murr is cut off from main roads … More
Category: West Asia
Leading human rights group calls Israel an ‘apartheid’ state
JERUSALEM (AP) : A leading Israeli human rights group has begun describing both Israel and its control of the Palestinian … More
What’s behind Saudi Arabia-Qatar reconciliation?
Analysts believe the Trump administration has piled pressure on Gulf nations to help create regional bloc against Iran ISTANBUL : … More
An exhibit aims to help heal the damaged cultural heritage of Beirut
BEIRUT : Many museums and galleries in Beirut were seriously damaged, even ravaged, following two gigantic explosions that hit the … More
5 nations want Iran to deliver justice on downed plane
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) : The countries whose citizens were killed when Iran accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner said Friday … More
Review: Khashoggi doc ‘The Dissident’ is essential viewing
It’s hard to decide what’s most shocking in “The Dissident,” Bryan Fogel’s urgent, gripping new documentary about the horrific murder of Saudi … More
Saudi Arabia cuts oil output to support future oil prices
SAUDI Arabia’s decision to cut oil output by one million barrels per day (bpd) for February and March this year … More
Poachers’ paradise: Gulf hunts fuel Pakistan falcon trafficking
KARACHI : Since learning to capture birds as a teen, Muhammad Rafiq has amassed a small fortune in Pakistan trapping … More
Gulf Arab leaders attending the 41st GCC summit in Saudi Arabia
The summit is expected to see the signing of formal agreements to end a 4-year boycott of Doha Saudi Arabia’s … More
The Syrian potter preserving a centuries-old craft
Misak Antranik Petros, master craftsman, has passed his art on to the next generation. In a dimly lit workshop on … More
Iranian women’s group empowers amid pandemic by making masks
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) : As the coronavirus pandemic ravages Iran, home to the Mideast’s worst outbreak, a women’s group hopes … More
Iraqi watch repair shop is a timeless treasure
Youssef Abdelkarim’s storefront on one of Baghdad’s most historic streets is a time capsule. Youssef Abdelkarim’s storefront on one of … More
Yemen: Deadly blast as new government arrives at Aden airport
Explosions and gunfire hit Aden’s airport shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed government arrived from Saudi Arabia. Hours … More
2 brothers were separated in an Iraqi jail. Now one believes he’s found the other.
“When I saw Ahmed for the first time, I told myself, ‘Yes, this is my brother,’” Haydar Jawad Nasser said. … More
New Barjeel display promotes parity with equal split of artworks by men and women
Melissa Gronlund discusses the significance of the pieces on view and the show’s art historical accuracy About a year ago, … More
Foreigners shake up Egypt’s belly dancing scene
Belly dancers from Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America and elsewhere have dominated the scene in recent years in Egypt CAIRO – She … More
Iraq faces economic shock after currency devaluation
As politicians debate austerity proposals, ordinary Iraqis fear for the future News of Iraq’s currency devaluation spread quickly last week … More
Two climbers killed, two injured in Iran during heavy snowfall
TEHRAN: Two climbers were killed and two others injured on Friday (Dec 25) on a mountain outside Iran’s capital Tehran … More
Pharmacist accidentally injected with 4 COVID vaccine doses
Uday Azizi says he’s feeling fine after receiving quadruple dose in error, will still likely need to get follow-up injection … More
In Egypt, pandemic inspires passion for oud
While he waits for his lesson at an Egyptian music school, Maissara Mohammed plays his oud, its soothing tones dissolving … More
EXPLAINER: Iran, despite sanctions, has routes to vaccines
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) : Although Iran faces crushing U.S. sanctions, there are still ways for Tehran to obtain … More
Yemen’s president, separatists announce new power-sharing government
The new government followed two weeks of separation of forces and redeployment of troops in the south. The Saudi-led coalition … More
Hospital fire kills 9 COVID-19 patients at ICU in Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) : A fire broke out Saturday at an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients in southern Turkey … More
A decade on, the broken dreams of the Arab Spring
“The revolution showed me that everything is possible,” said Ameni Ghimaji, remembering the heady days of the Tunisian protests that … More