Category: Middle East

US Court Revives Lawsuit Against Pfizer, Others on Iraq Terrorism Funding Claims

A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday revived a lawsuit against AstraZeneca Plc, Pfizer Inc and other companies over allegations their contracts with Iraq’s health ministry helped fund terrorism that killed Americans during the war in Iraq. The plaintiffs contend that the militia group Jaysh al-Mahdi, sponsored by the terrorist group Hezbollah, controlled Iraq’s health ministry…


Series of Attacks Highlights Reach of Iran-Allied Militias

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized a ship in the Red Sea, armed drones targeted Baghdad’s international airport, and hackers hit a major Israeli newspaper Monday—a string of assaults that showed the reach of Iran-allied militias on the second anniversary of America’s killing of a top Iranian general. All three coincided with a massive…


2 Suicide Drones Shot Down Near Iraqi Base Hosting US Forces: Coalition

Two armed drones were shot down in Iraq as they approached a military compound hosting U.S. personnel near Baghdad’s international airport, a U.S.-led coalition official said on Monday. “Two fixed-wing suicide drones, or improvised cruise missiles, attempted to attack Baghdad Airport this morning at approximately 4:30 a.m. [0130 GMT],” the official, speaking on condition of…


2 Armed Drones Shot Down Near Iraqi Base Hosting US Forces: Coalition

Two armed drones were shot down in Iraq as they approached a military compound hosting U.S. personnel near Baghdad’s international airport, a U.S.-led coalition official said on Jan. 3. “Two fixed-wing suicide drones, or improvised cruise missiles, attempted to attack Baghdad Airport this morning at approximately 4:30 a.m. [0130 GMT],” the official, speaking on condition…


Turkey Officials Say Inflation Jumped 36 Percent Amid Ongoing Lira Woes

Turkey’s annual inflation soared to its highest level in 19 years in December 2021, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute published on Monday. The country’s annual inflation jumped to 36.08 percent year-on-year in December, the highest since September 2002, just months before President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party first took office, and far exceeding the annual inflation…


4 Syrians Die After Burning Coal for Heat in South Lebanon

BEIRUT—A Syrian mother and her three children died in their sleep after inhaling toxic fumes from burning coal to heat their room in a village in southern Lebanon, a rescue group said Sunday. Youssef al-Dor, an official with Resala Health Ambulance Association, said he transported the bodies to be buried from a hospital where the…


Arab Coalition Says UAE-Flagged Cargo Ship Carrying Medical Equipment Hijacked by Houthi Movement

The Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls most of northern Yemen has allegedly hijacked a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, according to TV channel Al Arabiya. Cargo ship Rawabi is carrying medical equipment for a Saudi hospital on Socotra Island, according to Al Arabiya, citing an Arab coalition spokesperson. The coalition…


Israel Records 1st Case of Patient With Both COVID-19 and Flu, Dubbed ‘Flurona’

Israel has recorded what is widely believed to be the first case of “flurona” disease, a double infection of coronavirus and seasonal flu in an unvaccinated pregnant woman, according to local reports. The unnamed woman displayed mild symptoms of the virus at Rabin Medical Center in the city of Petah Tikva on Dec. 30, Hamodia reported. She is doing well and was…


Israel to Offer 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Shot to Over 60s, Medical Staff

JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that Israel would offer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to people over 60 and to medical staff. Israel last week approved a fourth dose of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, a second booster, for people who are immune-compromised and the elderly living in care homes….


UAE Bans Unvaccinated People From Leaving Country

Starting Jan. 10, the United Arab Emirates will ban people from leaving the country if they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. State news agency WAM reported, citing the UAE’s foreign ministry and National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authorities, that only people who are fully vaccinated and have taken booster shots will be allowed…