Middle East
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Saudi king orders Qatar border to reopen for hajj pilgrims
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Qatar offers visa-free entry to 80 nationalities
e four Gulf nations have closed their land and sea borders to Qatar and imposed economic and air traffic restrictions.
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Dubai tower engulfed in flames as a massive blaze breaks out in super tall residential building
ONE of the world’s tallest residential buildings is engulfed in flames in Dubai.
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Iran launches rocket into space
IRAN successfully launched a satellite-carrying rocket into space on Thursday, the country’s state media reported without elaborating.
Latest Middle East
US Navy fire warning shots at Iran boat
A US DEFENCE official said an American Navy patrol boat has fired warning shots near an Iranian naval ship during a tense encounter in the Persian Gulf.
Muslims maintain Temple Mount boycott after detectors removed
Waqf says it will make ruling about restarting visits to holy site after conducting study, in wake of Israeli decision to replace security measures
Where is Trump on Temple Mount crisis
The State Department has called on both sides to refrain from taking any actions that might escalate the crisis.
Israel removes Jerusalem metal detectors after cabinet vote
Israel is removing metal detectors from a holy site in Jerusalem and will use less obtrusive surveillance instead.
Trump admin slaps Iran with new sanctions despite nuclear deal compliance
We will continue to target the [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] and pressure Iran
Qatar crisis: UAE denies hacking news agency
The United Arab Emirates has denied it was behind the alleged hacking of Qatar's state news agency in May.
Mosul: Iraq PM to celebrate victory over IS in the city
Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi has arrived in Mosul to congratulate Iraqi forces for their victory over IS in the city.
US, Russia strike Syria ceasefire deal
The United States and Russia have reached agreement on a cease-fire in southwest Syria, three US officials said as President Donald Trump held his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Afghan girl roboticists denied US visas
An all-girl team of roboticists from Afghanistan will watch their creations compete in a US competition via Skype after being denied entry visas.
Germany gay marriage approved by MPs in snap vote
A clear majority of German MPs have voted to legalise same-sex marriage, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to a vote.
Qatar condemns Saudi refusal to negotiate over demands
Qatar's foreign minister has condemned its Gulf neighbours for refusing to negotiate over their demands for restoring air, sea and land links.
Battle for Mosul: IS 'blows up' al-Nuri mosque
So-called Islamic State (IS) has blown up the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul, Iraqi forces say.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman names son Mohammed bin Salman crown prince
SAUDI Arabia’s King Salman on Wednesday appointed his 31-year-old son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince, placing him firmly as first-in-line to the throne and removing the country’s counter-terrorism czar and a figure well-known to Washington from the royal line of succession.
Australia halts air missions over Syria after Russia labels coalition aircraft are a ‘threat’
THE RAAF has halted all air missions over Syria after Russia warned it now considers Australian military jets a “target” and could shoot them down.
Syria conflict: US jet 'downs Iran-made drone'
A US jet has shot down an Iranian-made drone operated by forces backing the Syrian government in the south of the country, American officials say.
Russian military halts Syria sky incident prevention interactions with US as of June 19 – Moscow
Downing the military jet within Syrian airspace “cynically” violates the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic, Russian military said.
