Middle-East
Saudi Arabia tells US it wants fair, permanent solution for Palestinians
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman told US President Donald Trump that the kingdom is eager to achieve a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue, which he said was the main starting point of the kingdom’s proposed Arab Peace Initiative.
Historic first direct flight between Israel, UAE takes off
A high-ranking American and Israeli delegation took off Monday to Abu Dhabi in the first-ever direct commercial passenger flight to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Iran unveils 2 new missiles
Iran has unveiled two new missiles amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, reported Iran State TV.
State TV said officials unveiled the two new missiles on Thursday — National Defense Industry Day in Iran, reports AP.
They are named after top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed outside Baghdad’s international airport in a U.S. strike in January.
The “Martyr Hajj Qassem” surface-to-surface ballistic missile has a 1,400-kilometer (870-mile) range, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. State TV said the “Martyr Abu Mahdi” naval cruise missile has a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) range.
State TV said the “Martyr Hajj Qassem” missile was not intercepted by a defense system during a test.
Also on Thursday, Iran unveiled a fourth-generation light turbo-fan engine for its advanced drones.
Iran also inaugurated the production line of its domestically produced “Owj” engine for the Iranian-made twin-seat Kowsar fighter jet.
Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces, its space program and its nuclear efforts.
President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, known in 2018, and tensions between the two countries have escalated since.
Also read: N Korea fires missiles off its east coast, says S Korea
Dubai relaxes liquor rule again
Dubai has again loosened laws governing alcohol sales and possession of liquor as part of the United Arab Emirates efforts to bring itself out of an economic depression worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.
Palestinians say UAE deal hinders quest for Mideast peace
Israel’s agreement to establish diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates marks a watershed moment in its relations with Arab countries, but the Palestinians say it puts a just resolution of the Middle East conflict even farther out of reach.
Lebanese PM steps down in wake of Beirut protests
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s prime minister stepped down from amid widespread anti-government protests over Beirut port explosion last week that triggered public fury and mass protests.
Iran says it detains leader of California-based exile group
Iran on Saturday said it detained an Iranian-American leader of a little-known California-based militant opposition group for allegedly planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people and wounded over 200 others.
Israeli researchers develop method to turn watermelon waste into fuel
Israeli researchers have invented a method to utilize watermelons for fuel production, according to the Israeli news website Ynet.
Coronavirus crisis sparks protest movement among young Israelis
Hundreds of Israelis poured into the streets recently against Netanyahu and his perceived failure to handle the country’s deepening economic crisis.
Coronavirus crisis sparks protest movement among young Israelis
Hundreds of Israelis poured into the streets recently against Netanyahu and his perceived failure to handle the country’s deepening economic crisis.