Update US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from his aircraft upon arrival in Doha on August 20, 2024. (AFP)

Blinken wraps up Mideast tour with Gaza truce plea

  • Blinken met earlier in the day in Cairo with Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi
  • Top diplomat’s visit to the region also included meetings in Israel on Monday
By Reuters ·

People walk past a banner featuring a picture of the late Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Wait for Iran’s retaliation against Israel ‘could be long’, Revolutionary Guards spokesperson says

  • Middle East has been bracing for Iran’s avowed retaliation over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31
  • “Time is in our favor and the waiting period for this response could be long,” Naini said
By Reuters ·

Analysis How Gaza war has set back Palestinian agriculture, deepened hunger crisis

How Gaza war has set back Palestinian agriculture, deepened hunger crisis

  • More than half of Gaza’s cropland and a third of its greenhouses have been destroyed by the conflict, contributing to malnutrition
  • FAO says the devastation of Gaza’s agriculture has led to severe food insecurity, with 1 in 5 Gazans facing extreme hunger
By Rebecca Anne Proctor ·

Saudi Arabia’s literary renaissance captivates local and international audiences

Saudi Arabia’s literary renaissance captivates local and international audiences

  • Stories by Saudi writers reflect the Kingdom’s rich cultural tapestry, rapid societal changes
By Waad Hussain ·

Libya’s instability has ‘quite rapidly’ deteriorated and will worsen if no elections, says UN envoy

Libya’s instability has ‘quite rapidly’ deteriorated and will worsen if no elections, says UN envoy

  • The country’s current political crisis stems from the failure to hold elections on Dec. 24, 2021
By AP ·

Protesters burn a flag near the Israeli Consulate during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. photos

Protesters confront police outside Israeli consulate on 2nd night of Democratic convention

  • The consulate, located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the United Center, has been the site of numerous demonstrations since the war in Gaza began in October
By AP ·

Saudi Arabia’s NDMC closes August sukuk issuance at $1.60bn

Saudi Arabia’s NDMC closes August sukuk issuance at $1.60bn

  • Kingdom concluded the issuance of the Islamic financial instruments at SR3.21 billion in July
  • NDMC said the August offerings were divided into five tranches
By Arab News ·

Bassem Youssef’s X account taken down after Gaza-related post

Bassem Youssef’s X account taken down after Gaza-related post

  • Youssef gained worldwide notoriety for his vocal support of Palestinian cause
  • Account removed after post about the weaponization of antisemitism
By Arab News ·

Bassem Youssef’s X account taken down after Gaza-related post

Bassem Youssef’s X account taken down after Gaza-related post

  • Youssef gained worldwide notoriety for his vocal support of Palestinian cause
  • Account removed after post about the weaponization of antisemitism
By Arab News ·