At least 4 killed when landslide crushes Shiite shrine in Iraq
Spokesman for Iraqi Interior Ministry explains that the topography around the Qattarat al-Imam Ali site in Kerbala leaves rescue workers only "narrow access."
Middle East
UAE planning to return ambassador to Iran as ties upgraded
Move comes as part of Emirates' efforts to "achieve the common interests of the two countries and the wider region," Emirati Foreign Ministry says.
Palestinian laborers protest plan to pay wages through PA banks
Workers concerned new plan for salaries to be paid weekly will eat up what little they make, and want to go back to being paid in cash.
'Iran deal or not, rejection of Lebanese demands will lead to escalation'
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah ways that "All eyes should be on the Karish gas field, the maritime border, and the American mediator."
Caving in to Iranian pressure, Oman keeps Israeli flights out of its skies
Securing such passage would have allowed Israel to slash flight times to Far East countries. "Iran has greatly increased pressure and threats on Gulf states not to take any normalization measures vis-à-vis Israel," one official says.
Dubai court rules on cause of 2021 port explosion
Cargo ship's mishandled peroxide caused blast at Jebel Ali port that was felt throughout the emirate, English-language news outlet The National reports.
Abbas walks back comments accusing Israel of committing '50 Holocausts'
In a statement released Wednesday, the Palestinian leaders calls the Holocaust "the most heinous crime in modern human history."
US 'in contact' with Israel to review basis for raid on blacklisted Palestinian NGOs
Spokesman Ned Price tell reporters that the US is “concerned” about the raids and closures.
'If Erdogan reverts to anti-Israel posture, Jerusalem will respond in kind'
“Just like diplomatic ties were upgraded, so too could they be downgraded if needed. But if we can now reconcile, then why not?” official says.
Rushdie's attacker lauds Khomenei as 'a great person'
Hadi Matar, who was charged with stabbing Salman Rushdie, says he is surprised the author survived the attack.