Yemen's warring sides agree to swap over 1,000 prisoners: UN mediator
The warring sides in Yemen's long conflict have agreed to exchange 1,081 prisoners, the United Nations (UN) mediator said on Sunday following talks in Switzerland.
Palestinians accuse Eygpt of shooting two fishermen
Hundreds of mourners on Sunday buried two Gaza fishermen shot dead at sea, as the Palestinian fishing union blamed Egypt and demanded an investigation.
Warring parties agree on largest prisoner release in Yemen
Delegates representing the government of Yemen and Ansar Allah (Houthi group) announced on Sunday that they have agreed to immediately release a first group of 1,081 conflict-related detainees and prisoners, the largest prisoner release in the country's history.
Prisoner swap agreed
Yemen's warring parties have agreed to exchange some 1,000 prisoners, including 19 Saudi soldiers, at UN-sponsored talks as part of trust-building steps aimed at reviving a stalled peace process, sources said on Sunday.
Afghanistan's first female UN envoy warns over women's rights
The Taliban's stance on women's rights should concern the world, one of Afghanistan's top female diplomats has warned, as the government holds power-sharing talks with the Islamist group that once banned girls from going to school.
Israel tightens virus lockdown
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet decided on Thursday to tighten Israel's coronavirus lockdown after he voiced alarm that a surge in infections was pushing the nation to “the edge of the abyss,” the YNet news site said.
US-Iran tensions worry Arabs
Arab leaders voiced fears Wednesday before the United Nations (UN) of new conflict in the region as tensions soar between Iran and the US.
Syrian island escapes war, but caught by tough economic situation
During the more than nine-year-long war in Syria, actual battles have engulfed the country except for a small island that has escaped unscathed, protected by the surrounding sea.
Chinese envoy calls for efforts to boost political, economic progress in Lebanon
A Chinese envoy on Wednesday asked for international efforts to help Lebanon advance in political, economic and security fields.
Thousands of Israelis in 1st protests since new lockdown
Thousands of Israeli protesters gathered Sunday in Jerusalem to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first of such demonstrations since the start of a new nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Lebanon hosts concert for blast victims at ravaged palace
Lebanon on Sunday held a concert for the victims of August's deadly Beirut blast in the grounds of a 19th-century palace wrecked by the massive explosion.
Iraq bans entry of foreign travelers as COVID-19 infections reach 319,035
The Iraqi Health Ministry on Sunday reported 3,438 new COVID-19 cases, as the health authorities banned the entry of foreign travelers into the country amid the appearance of new strains of the coronavirus in the neighboring countries.
More than 30 Taliban killed in Afghan air bombings
The Afghan air force conducted multiple strikes on Taliban positions Saturday that killed more than 30 insurgent fighters, officials said, as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani once again called for a cease-fire.
Saudi Arabia uncovers ancient footprints
Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission announced on Wednesday the discovery of ancient human and animal footprints dating back more than 120,000 years in Tabuk in northern Saudi Arabia.
Turkish currency drops to new low against USD
The Turkish currency dropped to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, raising concerns of high inflation and unemployment.
Libyan unity government says ready to step down
The head of Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) said Wednesday he planned to step down within six weeks as part of efforts to broker a peace agreement.
Israeli jets bomb Gaza after rocket fire
Israel bombed Gaza on Wednesday morning after rocket fire from the territory coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's signing of normalization deals with the UAE and Bahrain in Washington.
COVID-19 pushes 37 mln people into extreme poverty: report
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed some 37 million people into extreme poverty, a majority of them in developing countries, a report released on Tuesday by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation shows.