Kabul, Taliban negotiators meet in Qatar as Afghan fighting rages
Representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents met in Doha for talks Saturday as violence raged in their country with foreign forces almost entirely withdrawn.
As floods hit western Europe, scientists say climate change hikes heavy rain
The extreme rainfall causing deadly flooding across western Germany and Belgium has been so alarming, many across Europe are asking if climate change is to blame.
UK health minister Javid tests positive for COVID-19
British health minister Sajid Javid Saturday said he had tested positive for COVID-19, but that his symptoms were mild and he had had two doses of vaccine against the disease.
Aoun urges authorities to prepare for wildfire season
President Michel Aoun met with the caretaker interior minister Saturday to address the start of wildfire season in Lebanon and urged authorities to prepare, the National News Agency reported
Saudi allows businesses to open during prayers in key reform
Saudi Arabia has officially allowed businesses to remain open during the five daily Muslim prayers, a highly sensitive reform in a kingdom which is trying to shake off its austere … Read More
Belgium takes back six mothers, 10 children from Syria
Ten Belgian children and six mothers have been recovered from a prison camp for captured jihadists in Syria and flown home to Belgium, the government said Saturday.
Syria’s Assad says funds frozen in Lebanese banks biggest impediment to investment
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday the main impediment to investment in the country was money stuck in ailing Lebanese banks.
Olympics-First COVID case found at athletes’ village, adding to doubts over “safe and secure” Games
Tokyo Olympics organisers on Saturday reported the first case of COVID-19 at the athletes’ village, along with 14 other new cases connected to the Games which begin next week, raising … Read More
Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for second pandemic hajj
Pilgrims began arriving in the holy city of Mecca on Saturday for the second downsized hajj staged during the coronavirus pandemic, circling Islam’s holiest site in masks and on distanced … Read More
Lebanese pound steadies, makes small gain against the dollar
The Lebanese pound gained Saturday, trading at 22,300 to the dollar on the black market, after a steep tumble Friday following the resignation of ex-prime minister designate Saad Hariri.