Palestine new envoy to Iran appointed

Salam Al-Zawawi was sworn in before President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, as Palestine’s new ambassador to Iran.

Kazakh government says situation ‘stabilized’ following unrest

The situation in all regions of Kazakhstan hit by unrest has been stabilized, Acting Interior Minister Yerlan Turgumbayev said in a statement.

Iran blacklists dozens of US officials over Gen. Soleimani assassination

Tehran has updated its list of US individuals blacklisted for involvement in the assassination of top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his companions. Iran has added 51 US officials and commanders to the list.

Lebanon hit by nationwide blackout

Electricity was cut off throughout Lebanon on Saturday. Lebanon’s state electricity company has announced its power plants had stopped working after protesters stormed a key substation and tampered with the electrical equipment.

Around two dozen killed in Pakistan snow-related traffic jam

At least 21 people died in an enormous traffic jam caused by tens of thousands of visitors thronging a Pakistani hill town to see unusually heavy snowfall.

Russia says all parties recognize progress in nuclear talks

As the new round negotiations on the removal of US sanctions against Iran continues in Vienna, a Russian diplomat says all participants recognize that some progress is being made towards an agreement on restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal.

“90% of health centers at risk of closure in Afghanistan”

International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that up to 90 percent of health centers in Afghanistan might shut down by the end of this year.

Kazakh president says 20k ‘terrorists’ active in the country

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says, in the recent unrest in the country, there were six waves of terrorist attacks in Almaty, adding the overall number of terrorists was about 20,000,

Kazakh president authorizes fire ‘without warning’

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on Friday that he has given permission to law enforcement agents to use lethal force to quell the ongoing unrest.

France says progress made in nuclear talks

Progress has been made regarding the nuclear negotiations in Vienna although time is running out, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Friday.

Ex-US diplomat: ‘Ridiculous’ to think Washington will leave ME

A former US ambassador to Damascus argues that it is “ridiculous” to think that the United States will leave the Middle East, particularly Syria and Iraq, in the near future.

Why is Saudi Arabia dragging feet on resuming talks with Iran?

An Iranian Middle East expert examines the reasons of why Saudi Arabia is reportedly dragging its feet on holding a new round of negotiations with Iran aimed at fixing troubled ties and has instead chosen to up the ante in the kingdom’s brutal war on Yemen.

Kazakhstan unrest: 18 police officers killed, 2k protesters arrested

At least 18 security forces have been killed in clashes in Kazakhstan. No details on civilian casualties have officially been revealed. Kazakhstan’s law enforcement agencies have also detained nearly 2,000 demonstrators, according to the interior ministry.

Saudi coalition seizes another Yemen-bound fuel vessel

The Saudi-led coalition has seized another ship carrying fuel for Yemen. The vessel was supposed to dock at Yemen's Red Sea port of Hudaydah.

A dozen killed, many injured in Afghanistan floods avalanches

Heavy snow and rainfall that caused avalanches and floods in different provinces of Afghanistan, have so far claimed the lives of 11 people and wounded 23 more.

U.S. seeks snapback sanctions to deter Iran enrichment

US National security adviser has told Israeli officials that the threat of “snapback” sanctions should be used as a means to deter Iran from enriching ‘weapons-grade’ uranium. Iran has warned it will take retaliatory measures if western countries use the "snapback mechanism" to reinstate sanctions on Tehran.

Kazakh forces say ‘eliminated dozens trying to storm police stations’

Spokesperson for Kazakhstan police says security forces prevented protestors from storming police buildings in Almaty on Wednesday night, adding dozens of protesters involved in the attacks have been killed.

Envoy: Baghdad to host 5th round of Iran-Saudi talks soon

Iranian ambassador to Iraq says Baghdad will soon host the fifth round of talks between Tehran and Riyadh. Iran and Saudi Arabia have held four rounds of dialogue so far in order to ease tensions on several issues.

2 Palestinians killed by Israeli troops, settler

Israeli forces and a settler have killed two young Palestinian men in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank.

Iran says US, Israel blocking elimination of chemical weapons

The United States and Israel are the main obstacles to the total elimination of chemical weapons worldwide, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Zahra Ershadi says.

Afghanistan declares state of emergency over heavy snow and rainfall

The Taliban have declared a state of emergency following heavy snowfall and raining in many parts of the country.

US military facility in Syria under rocket attack

A military facility housing American troops in Syria’s eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr has come under attack with rockets fired from nearby areas. Earlier, several rockets had hit an Iraqi military base housing American troops near Baghdad International Airport.

Pro-Palestine post by Harry Potter star sparks row

Emma Watson has been accused of antisemitism by Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations after she posted a message of support for the Palestinian cause.

‘Saudi coalition seized Yemen-bound oil tanker’

The Riyadh-led coalition has diverted a fuel vessel heading for the Yemeni port of Hodeidah to a Saudi port instead, al-Masirah TV reported on Wednesday.

Analyst: Optimism prevailing in Hotel Coburg

Iranian news website Khabaronline has published a commentary by political commentator Jalal Khoshchehreh of which a summarized English translation is posted by IFP here: “Hotel Coburg has been the venue of talks between parties who have already held 8 rounds of talks and could have reached a deal before.

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