Category: Middle East

4 Charged Over Alleged EU Corruption, Bribery Campaign by ‘Gulf Country’: Belgian Prosecutor

Belgium’s federal prosecutor has charged four people with money laundering, corruption, and participating in a criminal organization following an investigation into alleged attempts by a Gulf country to influence the European Union’s parliament with money and gifts. The four unnamed individuals are among six taken to be questioned by Belgian police following raids that began across 16 properties…


Chinese Surveillance Technology Aids Iranian Regime As Tehran Clamps Down on Protesters

Iran is facing increasing nationwide protests since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died on Sept. 16 in suspicious circumstances after her arrest for allegedly improperly wearing her hijab. The Iranian regime has harshly clamped down on the protesters, and is reportedly aided by Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance technology in this…


Iran Executes First Known Prisoner Arrested in Protests

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iran said Thursday it executed a prisoner convicted for a crime allegedly committed during the country’s ongoing nationwide protests, the first such death penalty carried out by Tehran. The execution of Mohsen Shekari comes as other detainees also face the possibility of the death penalty for their involvement in the protests, which…


Saudi Foreign Minister: ‘All Bets Off’ If Iran Gets Nuclear Weapon

DUBAI—Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Sunday that Iran’s Gulf Arab neighbours would act to shore up their security if Tehran were to obtain nuclear weapons. Indirect U.S.-Iranian talks to salvage a 2015 nuclear pact between global powers and the Iranian regime, which Washington exited in 2018, stalled in September. The U.N. nuclear chief has voiced…


US Helicopter Raid Kills 2 ISIS Terrorists in Syria

BEIRUT—American forces on Sunday killed two ISIS terrorists in eastern Syria in a helicopter raid, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. ISIS sleeper calls continue to carry out deadly attacks in Syria and Iraq. For a few years, the group ruled swathes of both countries but lost its last stronghold in 2019. U.S. Central…


DOJ: Suspect in 1988 Pam Am Flight 103 Bombing Taken Into US Custody

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday confirmed the suspect accused of making a bomb that took down Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 was arrested. “The United States has taken custody of alleged Pan Am flight 103 bombmaker Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi,” a DOJ spokesperson confirmed to news outlets. “He is…


DOJ: Libyan Suspect in 1988 Lockerbie Bombing in US Custody

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Dec. 11 that the Libyan intelligence official accused of making a bomb that destroyed a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 was arrested and is in U.S. custody. “The United States has taken custody of alleged Pan Am Flight 103 bombmaker Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir…


Taliban Carry Out First Public Execution Since Afghan Takeover

ISLAMABAD—The Taliban on Wednesday executed an Afghan convicted of killing another man, the first public execution since the terrorist group took over Afghanistan last year, a spokesman said. The announcement underscored the intentions by Afghanistan’s new rulers to continue hard-line policies implemented since they took over the country in August 2021 and to stick to…


Morocco Reaches World Cup Semifinals, Tops Portugal, Ronaldo

DOHA, Qatar—Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1–0 on Saturday, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning soccer’s biggest prize. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab…


Neymar Says He Is Unsure If He Will Play Again With Brazil

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Brazil’s Neymar said on Friday he was unsure if he would play again for the national team after their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia on penalties. “Honestly, I do not know. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. Maybe I’m not thinking straight,” an emotional…