Middle East

Orthodox Jews Are Visiting UAE In Waves After Israeli-Emirati Peace Deal

9:21am December 27, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

A hushed Jewish community in Dubai has emerged into the open after the Israeli-Emirati peace deal. Now they're hosting an unlikely rush of Orthodox Jews to the Gulf Arab city.

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World News

Because Of COVID-19 Pandemic, No Tourists Flock To Bethlehem

7:44am December 26, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

The annual Christmas festivities around the Church of the Nativity in the city of Bethlehem were scaled back. But residents were intent on maintaining the traditions.

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Saudi Arabia Rethinking Relationship With U.S. Under Biden

6:27pm December 25, 2020

by Jackie Northam

As the Trump administration ends, Saudi Arabia is recalibrating its relationship with the U.S. and looking to win favor with the incoming Biden White House.

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In Lebanon, Judge Suspends Inquiry Into Beirut Port Explosion

4:29pm December 25, 2020

by Ruth Sherlock

At the time of the August explosion, politicians promised to bring justice and find those culpable. Now they are placing limits on the inquiry.

News Brief: Relief Bill, Brexit Deal, Fewer Tourists In Bethlehem

6:57am December 25, 2020

The COVID-19 relief bill remains unsigned by the president. British and EU parliaments must approve Thursday's Brexit deal. Plus, Bethlehem, biblical birthplace of Jesus, suffers during the pandemic.

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On a corrective podcast, Michael Barbaro — host of the New York Times podcast The Daily — did not disclose several key facts about his own connection to those who created the discredited Caliphate series.

Host of 'The Daily' Clouds 'N.Y. Times' Effort To Restore Trust After 'Caliphate'

3:29pm December 24, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The New York Times issued a big mea culpa, and returned a Peabody award and a citation as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize after retracting the core of its hit podcast series Caliphate.

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Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough were pardoned by President Trump this week. The former government contractors were convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians de

Shock And Dismay After Trump Pardons Blackwater Guards Who Killed 14 Iraqi Civilians

8:14pm December 23, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

"We were surprised that the American president issued a decision to pardon these criminals, murderers and thugs," says an Iraqi man who was shot in the 2007 massacre at Baghdad's Nisour Square.

A nurse checks a child who is receiving treatment for malnutrition at a hospital in Sana'a, Yemen. The photo was taken on December 13.

Health & Safety

The Story Of 1-Year-Old Abdullah Is The Story Of Yemen

11:42am December 23, 2020

by Rosemary MIsdary

His parents traveled 15 hours by bus to bring him to a clinic to save his life. He weighed 6 pounds. And he could be one of the fortunate ones.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) wears a protective face mask as he makes his way to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his new government, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in May. The Knesset has dissolved and Israel is headed to ne

World News

Israel To Hold 4th Election In 2 Years As Coalition Fails To Pass Budget

5:00pm December 22, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing trial on corruption charges, has a difficult path to another term. He is Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

World News

Israel To Go Into Elections For 4th Time In 2 Years

4:23pm December 22, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

A deadlock in the Israeli parliament seems to be headed to what will be the fourth election in two years — and another struggle by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay in power.