Region

Oil spill off Oman reaches coastline: state media

DUBAI — An oil spill from a tanker that ran aground off Oman has reached the coastline, state media reported, while monsoon winds were obstructing containment efforts, the United Nations’ maritime agency said on Wednesday. An AFP investigation previously found that the ship had been stranded for weeks near Oman’s Al-Qibliyyah island after it was damaged by explosions. The Oman…

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Lebanon passes sweeping amnesty law for prisoners, wanted people

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanon’s parliament on Wednesday passed a sweeping and long-awaited amnesty law that should benefit thousands of prisoners and wanted people, in the first legislation of its kind since 1991. The law, which had been a demand of various political factions and a topic of debate for years, aims to reduce prison overcrowding with many inmates awaiting trial…

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Iran fires back at Trump’s threat to declare Hormuz a US territory

TEHRAN — Iran on Saturday fired back at US President Donald Trump’s claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded “will remain Iranian”. Trump has repeatedly said the strait, which Tehran effectively closed at the start of the Middle East war in late February, is under…

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Israel reopens once-closed West Bank settlement

GANIM, Palestinian Territories — Israel officially reopened the West Bank settlement of Ganim on Thursday, more than 20 years after it withdrew from the community, in a move emblematic of the current government’s policy of rapid settlement expansion. The smell of freshly-poured asphalt hung in the air above Ganim’s new and only street, where future residents and their families —…

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Street rallies held as Taliban govt marks five years ruling Afghanistan

KABUL — The Taliban government celebrated five years of ruling Afghanistan on Saturday, with supporters taking to the streets, while critics decried tightening restrictions in all areas of daily life. Afghans packed into cars decorated with flags and drove around Kabul on a day that government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said “will be written in golden lines in the history of…

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Israel vows to go after Hizbollah as it names another killed

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israel vowed Sunday it would hit Hizbollah again if threatened, as it identified what it described as a commander killed in strikes a day earlier that also left several children dead. Israeli strikes on Saturday killed 11 people in southern Lebanon, according to authorities, in the deadliest attacks since a deal was reached in June aimed at…

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Hamas delegation, Egypt intelligence chief hold talks on Gaza plan

CAIRO — A Hamas delegation met Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad on Sunday to discuss ways to advance the implementation of a post-war plan for Gaza, Egypt’s state news agency reported. The Middle East News Agency said the delegation led by Hamas chief Khalil Al Hayya “reaffirmed commitment to completing US President Donald Trump’s plan”. Hamas had said in late…

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Iran offers $30,000 bounty for killing, capturing US soldiers

TEHRAN— Iran’s military announced on Sunday that it was offering a bounty equivalent to $30,000 for killing or capturing US soldiers, with the reward doubled if carried out by a woman.

Army chief Amir Hatami said the plan had been drawn up following a “large number of requests” to participate, according to the IRNA state news agency.

There has been no known…

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