Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 481

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Netanyahu seeking ‘active steps’ on Israel judicial overhaul despite mass rallies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would pursue "active steps" on a contested judicial reforms within days after what he described as months of wasteful compromise talks with the political opposition.

Iran president welcomes Uzbek counterpart in Tehran

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi officially welcomed President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Sa’dabad complex in northern Tehran on Sunday. Mirziyoyev is the first Uzbek president to visit Iran in more than 20 years.

Israelis rally against PM’s judicial plan for 24th week

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have rallied in Tel Aviv and other cities in the occupied territories to protest judicial overhaul plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Hajj pilgrims leave Yemen for Saudi Arabia in first direct flight since 2016

The first commercial flight from Yemen's capital Sana'a to Saudi Arabia since 2016 took off carrying Hajj pilgrims on Saturday, in the latest sign of easing tensions after years of war.

Taliban make US withdrawal anniversary a national holiday

Afghanistan has created a new public holiday to mark the date the last US soldier left the war-torn country. According to the Taliban, the departure of foreign troops will be celebrated each year on August 31.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 480

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

FAO names Iran as largest dairy exporter in Asia

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in a report on the situation of Iran’s agricultural productions announced that Iran has became the largest exporter of dairy products in Asia.

Iran’s oil exports hit highest record in 5 years despite US sanctions

Iran's crude exports and oil output in 2023 have hit new highs despite US sanctions, according to consultants, shipping data and a source familiar with the matter, according to a report by Reuters.

Khashoggi’s widow sues Israeli spyware firm over phone hacking

The widow of murdered US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has sued an Israeli tech firm, saying foreign governments used the company’s spyware to track her movements and forced her into a “state of constant hyper-vigilance.”

Far-right minister set to tighten grip on Israeli police

Israel’s Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is attempting to tighten his grip on Israeli police force after reports emerged that he will not extend the term of the police chief.

Arab Parliament calls on world body to end silence on Israeli atrocities

The Arab Parliament has urged the international community to end its silence on persisting Israeli atrocities across the occupied Palestine and compel Tel Aviv to abide by the United Nations resolutions barring construction of illegal settlements.

US seeking to target Iran through media dictatorship: President Raisi’s wife

Jamileh Alamolhoda, the wife of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, has said the United States is trying to target Iran through media dictatorship. She made the remarks to the Venezuela-based television network Telesur in an interview.

Palestinian youth killed by Israeli forces in Nablus raid

Israeli troops have killed a Palestinian youth and injured two others during a military raid on the West Bank city of Nablus.

Amnesty International urges ICC to investigate Israel’s war crimes in Gaza

Amnesty International has accused Israel of "collective punishment against the civilian population" during last month's fighting between Tel Aviv and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip. It has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate  possible war crimes.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 477

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Lebanon’s MPs fail to elect president for 12th time

Lebanese lawmakers failed on Wednesday for the 12th time to elect a new president.

Iran envoy says US sanctions impede efforts to tackle climate change

Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has said unilateral sanctions act as barriers to the targeted countries’ contributions to global efforts aimed at combating climate change problems. He also demanded an immediate stop to the coercive measures.

Mentally disabled Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in WB

Israeli troops have killed a mentally disabled young Palestinian man and wounded eight others during a raid on a refugee camp in the occupied northern West Bank city of Nablus.

Israeli soldiers face no charges over death of elderly Palestinian-American

Israeli forces will not face criminal prosecution for the death of an elderly Palestinian-American man who was stopped at a checkpoint, dragged from a car, bound and blindfolded and then left unresponsive on the ground overnight after apparently suffering a heart attack due to his rough treatment.

US says Iran, Bahrain likely to restore diplomatic relations soon

Manama is likely to resume diplomatic ties with Tehran "sometime soon", a top US diplomat for the Middle East has said. Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 a day after Saudi Arabia did so.

Saudi Arabia says no Israel normalisation without solution to Palestine

The Saudi embassy in the United States has spoken out on Washington's efforts to normalise relations between the kingdom and Israel, saying that any agreement will only be possible after a solution to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is achieved.

Arab countries accounted for 25% of Israel’s record $12.5bn in arms exports: Report

Arab states that normalised ties with Tel Aviv under the Abraham Accords have purchased nearly a quarter of Israel’s record $12.5bn in military equipment exports last year, a report has revealed.

Israel carries out missile attack on Damascus outskirts, one injured

A Syrian soldier was wounded in an Israeli missile strike on a Damascus countryside, SANA reported in the early hours of Wednesday, citing a military source.

Russia’s ruble slumps to one-year low against US dollar

The Russian ruble has slipped to its lowest exchange rate against the US dollar since last April, data from the Moscow Exchange show.

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