Category: Middle East

Israel Reports 39 Percent Effectiveness of Pfizer Vaccine in Halting Delta Variant Infections: Reports

Israeli health officials on Thursday reported that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is just 39 percent effective in preventing infections with the more contagious Delta variant, while noting that the vaccine remains highly effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization, according to reports. New statistics from Israel’s Health Ministry, released Thursday, indicated that the vaccine jointly developed…


Six Polish Swimmers Sent Home From Japan After Admin Blunder

The president of Poland’s swimming federation (PZP) has apologized after six athletes were sent home from the Tokyo Games due to an administrative error. Poland had sent 23 swimmers to Japan but the PZP was forced to cut the squad down to 17 based on world governing body FINA’s qualifying rules. PZP President Pawel Slominski…


Suicide Attack in Iraq’s Sadr City Kills at Least 35, Wounds Dozens

BAGHDAD—A suicide bomber killed at least 35 people and wounded dozens in a crowded market in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad on Monday, the eve of the Eid al-Adha festival, security and hospital sources said. More than 60 people were wounded, a police source said. The ISIS terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack,…


2 Rockets Fired From Lebanon Into Israel: Israeli Army

JERUSALEM—Two rockets were launched into Israel from Lebanon overnight on Tuesday, setting off sirens but causing no damage or injuries, and the Israeli military said it had responded with artillery fire. Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz suggested the incident could be linked to long-running governance problems rocking Lebanon and the influence of the Iran-backed terrorist…


Afghan President Slams Taliban; Rockets Target Kabul Palace

KABUL, Afghanistan—At least three rockets hit near the presidential palace on Tuesday shortly before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was to give an address to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. There were no injuries and the rockets landed outside the heavily fortified palace grounds, said Mirwais Stanikzai, spokesman for the interior minister. No one…


US Hits Iran for Delay in Nuclear and Prisoner Swap Talks

Iran and the United States volleyed tweeted criticisms of each other into Sunday over the fate of prisoners in both countries, underlining that separate negotiations outside of Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal continue between the nations. The tweets from two Iranian Foreign Ministry officials also signaled the waning influence of outgoing President Hassan Rouhani’s administration, which…


Biden Calls Jordan King a Loyal Ally in ‘Tough Neighborhood’

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden praised King Abdullah II of Jordan as a stalwart ally in a “tough neighborhood” as the two leaders huddled at the White House on Monday, a meeting that came at a pivotal moment for both leaders in the Middle East. Last week a Jordanian state security court sentenced two former officials to…


OPEC+ Agrees Oil Supply Boost After UAE, Saudi Reach Compromise

MOSCOW/DUBAI/LONDON—OPEC+ ministers agreed on Sunday to boost oil supply from August to cool prices which have climbed to 2-1/2 year highs as the global economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. The group, which includes OPEC countries and allies like Russia, crucially agreed new production allocations from May 2022 after Saudi Arabia and others agreed to…


Afghan Ambassador’s Daughter ‘Severely’ Assaulted in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD—The daughter of Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan was abducted in the middle of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad by unknown assailants, held for several hours and brutally attacked, officials in both countries said Saturday. No one has been arrested in connection with Friday’s assault on Silsila Alikhil, 26. The Afghan foreign ministry issued a statement…


6 Dead, 2 Missing in Floods, Landslides in Northeast Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey—At least six people have been killed and two people are missing after heavy rains hit Turkey’s northeastern Black Sea coast, triggering floods and landslides, Turkey’s health minister said Thursday. The heavy downpour struck the tea-growing province of Rize late on Wednesday, sweeping away cars and causing a number of houses to collapse. Video…