middle-east
Dubai orders hospitals to cancel surgeries amid virus surge
The government of Dubai on Wednesday ordered all hospitals to cancel nonessential surgeries for the next month as coronavirus infections surge to unprecedented heights in the United Arab Emirates.
US calls Bahrain, UAE 'major security partners'
The United States called Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates “major security partners” early Saturday, a previously unheard of designation for the two countries home to major American military operations.
Turkey begins mass COVID-19 vaccination with Sinovac's jabs
Turkey launched Thursday the mass vaccination program against COVID-19 with the vaccines developed by China's Sinovac company.
Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, open airspace and border
Kuwait’s foreign ministry announced Monday that Saudi Arabia will open its air and land borders with Qatar in the first steps toward ending a diplomatic crisis that has deeply divided regional U.S. allies since 2017.
Saudi Arabia lifts COVID-19 ban on int'l flights, land and sea entry
Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced lifting ban on all international flights as well as land and sea entry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Iran plans 20% uranium enrichment 'as soon as possible'
Iran said Saturday it plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility “as soon as possible,” pushing its program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels as it increases pressure on the West over the tattered atomic deal.
Yemen’s PM says airport attack aimed to ‘eliminate’ Cabinet
Yemen’s prime minister on Saturday said that a missile attack on the airport in Aden was meant “to eliminate” the country’s new government as it arrived in the key southern city — a daring assault which he blamed on Iran-backed rebels.
Iran plans 20% uranium enrichment ‘as soon as possible’
Iran said Saturday it plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility “as soon as possible,” pushing its program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels as it increases pressure on the West over the tattered atomic deal.
Iraq explosives experts working to defuse mine on oil tanker
Iraqi explosives experts were working to defuse a large mine discovered on an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf and evacuate its crew, authorities said Friday.
Report: Harsh winter can bring illness, death to Afghan kids
More than 300,000 children in war-ravaged Afghanistan face freezing winter conditions that can lead to illness and death without proper winter clothing and heating, a humanitarian organization said Thursday.