UAE treaty passes final ratification vote in cabinet.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Cabinet approves Bahrain peace deal ahead of Knesset vote
Lebanese artist creates powerful sculpture from Beirut explosion rubble
A Lebanese artist built a sculpture of a woman by collecting pieces of rubble from the Beirut explosion..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanese artist creates powerful sculpture from Beirut explosion rubble
Has Netanyahu rendered Israel's defense establishment irrelevant?
PM has a worrying pattern of keeping the defense establishment in the dark about crucial defense deals.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Has Netanyahu rendered Israel's defense establishment irrelevant?
Israel to reopen Eilat, Dead Sea, declare them 'green tourist islands'
Entry into the green tourist areas, which house around 30% of the country's hotel rooms, will be conditional on the presentation of an up-to-date negative coronavirus test.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel to reopen Eilat, Dead Sea, declare them 'green tourist islands'
Libya’s warring parties agree to ‘permanent ceasefire’: UN mission to Libya
Libya’s warring sides signed an agreement for “a permanent ceasefire in all areas of Libya”, the United Nations Libya mission said in a Facebook post on Friday, showing live video of the ceremony to sign the agreement.“The 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission talks in Geneva today culminate in a historic achievement as Libyan teams reach a permanent ceasefire agreement across Libya. This achievement is an important turning point towards peace and stability in Libya,” the UN’s Libya mission said on its Facebook page.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The road to a permanent cease-fire deal was often long and difficult,” UN envoy for Libya Stephanie Turco Williams said in a press conference in Geneva, noting that there’s a “great deal of work” to do in the coming weeks to implement the commitments.She expressed hope the agreement will succeed “in ending the suffering of Libyans and allowing those displaced by the conflict to return to their homes.”All mercenaries and foreign fighters must leave Libya within a maximum of three months from Friday, Williams said.A commercial passenger plane flew from the Libyan capital Tripoli across front lines to the eastern city of Benghazi for the first time in more than a year on Friday following the talks between the country’s warring parties in Geneva.Flights between them had stopped in the summer of 2019 after shelling by Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) targeted Tripoli’s Mitiga airport.The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) drove the LNA back from the capital in June.Read more:Libyan warring sides agree to open air, land routes: UN EnvoyUN hosts Libyan military leaders in hopes of end to conflict
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Libya’s warring parties agree to ‘permanent ceasefire’: UN mission to Libya
Iran sanctions US ambassador to Iraq, two diplomats after US blacklists envoy
Iran on Friday imposed sanctions on US ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller and two other diplomats for participating in “terrorist” acts against its interests, just a day after Washington blacklisted Iranian envoy to Iraj Masjedi and two senior Hezbollah officials.“US [Ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, has had a central role in coordinating terrorist acts in Iraq & beyond, in ... assassination of Gen. [Qassem] Soleimani... Today, Iran designated him & two other officials involved,” the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Twitter.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The two other diplomats are Tueller’s deputy Steve Fagin and head of US consulate in Arbil.The US officials “have effectively engaged in organizing, financing, leading and committing terrorist acts against the interests of the government or citizens” of Iran, the foreign ministry said in a statement released on Twitter.Iran accused the officials of being involved in the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, supporting “extremist and terrorist groups,” and imposing sanctions on Iran and dozens of officials.Soleimani, who was the head of the Iranian Qods Force, was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad’s airport in January.“Anti-Iran moves won’t go unanswered,” Khatibzadeh said.Read more:IRGC, five other Iran groups sanctioned for US election interferenceUS sanctions Iranian ambassador to Iraq, two senior Hezbollah officialsWashington had on Thursday imposed new sanctions on five Iranian entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, over “brazen attempts” to interfere with the upcoming US election.The Department of Treasury also announced Thursday that the US had sanctioned Masjedi and two senior Hezbollah officials.Tensions between Iran and the United States have been on the rise since President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran.They were reignited when Soleimani was killed.(With AFP and Reuters)
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran sanctions US ambassador to Iraq, two diplomats after US blacklists envoy
US embassy issues security alert in Turkey over reports of ‘attacks, kidnappings’
The US Embassy in Turkey issued a security alert Friday, saying it received reports of a possible attack on Americans and other foreigners, and temporarily suspended consular services.“The US Mission in Turkey has received credible reports of potential terrorist attacks and kidnappings against US citizens and foreign nationals in Istanbul, including against the US Consulate General, as well as potentially other locations in Turkey,” the embassy said in a statement.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The embassy in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, urged American citizens to exercise caution, including while at large office buildings, shopping malls and other locations where foreigners gather.It said citizen and visa services would be temporarily suspended at all US consulates in Turkey .ISIS and an outlawed Kurdish militant group conducted deadly attacks on Turkish soil between 2015 and 2017. A far-left group has also previously targeted the US Embassy in Ankara.A US Embassy spokesperson said: “The US mission to Turkey issued this notice as a result of our ongoing assessment of security conditions. The statement speaks for itself. We are grateful for the support of the Turkish government in ensuring the safety of Americans living in Turkey as well as Turkish citizens who visit our Embassy and Consulates.”Read more:Turkey’s Erdogan says Libya ceasefire doesn’t seem ‘too achievable’Iran sanctions US ambassador to Iraq, two diplomats after US blacklists envoy
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US embassy issues security alert in Turkey over reports of ‘attacks, kidnappings’
Israel, Sudan announce deal normalizing ties
US President Donald Trump announces that Sudan will normalize relations with Israel, a landmark step after two Gulf Arab nations moved to recognize Israel.Moments after Trump formally moved to remove Sudan from a US list of state sponsors of terrorism, reporters were escorted to the Oval Office where he was on the phone with leaders of Israel and Sudan.“Sudan and Israel have agreed to the normalization of relations -- another major step toward building peace in the Middle East with another nation joining the Abraham Accords” that involve Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, Trump aide Judd Deere wrote on Twitter.Trump on Friday also formally moved to delist Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, a step long sought by the Arab nation which faces US pressure to normalize relations with Israel.The White House said that Sudan's civilian-backed transitional government had deposited $335 million as part of an agreement to compensate survivors and family members of attacks that took place when former dictator Omar al-Bashir welcomed al-Qaeda.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Sudan will proceed with Israel normalization if legislative council approves: ReutersIsraeli minister predicts a normalization deal with Sudan before US election
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel, Sudan announce deal normalizing ties
Arab-Israelis unhappy with Joint List for rejecting deals with Gulf states
Despite reluctance among Arab-Israeli lawmakers, Israel's Arab public largely supports the normalization deals signed with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Arab-Israelis unhappy with Joint List for rejecting deals with Gulf states
More than 2,100,000 tested for coronavirus in Israel since February
These samples were taken at various locations across the country, most notable at nursing home as part of the “Protecting Fathers and Mothers” project.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: More than 2,100,000 tested for coronavirus in Israel since February