Middle East

World News

Palestinian farmers in the West Bank say Israel is blocking access to their harvests

7:53am December 17, 2023

by Eleanor Beardsley

Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank encloses land that belongs to Palestinians. And since Oct. 7, many farmers have not been able to access their crops to harvest olives.

World News

Nicaragua is cracking down on its Miss Universe winner for her protest history

7:53am December 17, 2023

by Eyder Peralta

Nicaragua's authoritarian government is clamping down on a new target — the winner of the Miss Universe pageant.

World News

As Egypt's president looks set to return for a third term, voters express their hopes

7:53am December 17, 2023

by Aya Batrawy

Egypt's president most likely won a third term in office last week. We talk to voters about what's on their minds.

World News

Remembering Samer Abu Daqqa, Al Jazeera journalist killed in an Israeli attack

7:53am December 17, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abu Daqqa was killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza on Friday. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks his former colleague and MSNBC host Ayman Mohyeldin about his life.

World News

Israeli soldier mistakenly kills 3 hostages

5:29pm December 16, 2023

by Carrie Kahn

Israeli soldiers mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages, in violation of rules of engagement. Meanwhile, Gaza remains in a communication blackout.

A protester with red paint on his hand marches through the streets after demonstrating outside the Israel Defense Forces headquarters on Friday in Tel Aviv, Israel. Earlier, the IDF had said its forces accidentally killed three hostages being held in Gaza when it mistakenly identified them as potential threats.

World News

Israel's military says hostages waved a white flag before being killed by a soldier

5:13pm December 16, 2023

The three Israelis held by Hamas were shot and killed after an Israeli soldier misidentified them as a threat as they exited a building in Gaza, according to a preliminary report by Israel's military.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney in Souda Bay, Greece. The U.S. military said the ship shot down drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday.

World News

Houthis launch more drone attacks as shipping companies suspend Red Sea operations

3:12pm December 16, 2023

by Willem Marx

The U.S. and U.K. said their warships had shot down drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. Meanwhile, major shipping companies suspended operations in the area.

Kuwait's then-Crown Prince Sheik Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah attends the closing session of the 25th Arab Summit in Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, on March 26, 2014. Kuwait's ruling emir has died, state television reported Saturday.

World News

Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, dies at age 86

1:41pm December 16, 2023

by The Associated Press

Kuwait's ruling emir died on Saturday after a three-year, low-key reign focused on trying to resolve the tiny, oil-rich nation's internal political disputes. Authorities gave no cause of death.

World News

The IDF said it mistakenly killed 3 Israeli hostages held by Hamas

8:08am December 16, 2023

Israelis react to news that the military mistakenly killed three of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

A view of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church's Nativity scene in Bethlehem. This year, it portrays a baby Christ born under rubble and wrapped up in a Palestinian keffiyeh.

World News

There's no Christmas in Bethlehem this year. With war in Gaza, festivities are off

7:00am December 16, 2023

In a city synonymous with the birth of Jesus, Christmas is typically a time when Bethlehem is full of visitors. But with war raging, the city's Christian leaders have canceled public celebrations.