Arab and International

US Says Air Strikes on PMU ‘Successful’

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday said air strikes against Iraq’s paramilitary force, known as Hadh Shaabi, succeeded, and he did not rule out additional action “as necessary.” “The strikes were successful. The pilots…

Greece ‘Wants a Say’ in Libya Peace Process: PM

Greece wants to be included in UN-sponsored talks in January on the Libya conflict, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Sunday, as tensions escalate with neighbor Turkey over the issue. Libya has become another diplomatic…

Five Wounded in Stabbing at New York Rabbi’s House

An intruder stabbed and wounded five people at a rabbi’s house in upstate New York during a party to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah late Saturday, officials said. The victims, all Hasidic members of the…

Israel Air Raids against Syria will not Go Unanswered

A senior Iranian official says Israel “will regret” committing acts of aggression against Syria, and that the Syrian and Lebanese nations will give a response to the Tel Aviv regime. “Israeli airstrikes against Syria will not go…

Cuba Names First Prime Minister in over 40 Years

Manuel Marrero Cruz has been named Cuba’s prime minister, taking a political post that had been abolished more than four decades ago. President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday named 56-year-old Marrero — who served as Cuba’s…

Russia Extends Detention of US Man in Spy Case

A Russian court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release. Paul Whelan, who also has Irish, Canadian and British…

Iran Refutes Reuters’ Report on Riot Death Toll

An official at Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has categorically dismissed a report by the Reuters news agency that claimed a death toll of around 1,500 people during recent riots over fuel price hikes. The London-based…

US House speaker, Senate Leader Spar over Trump Trial

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sparred on Monday over the ground rules for President Donald Trump’s trial in the Senate on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.…