Category: Middle East

UN Experts Call for Investigating Taliban’s Treatment of Women After Public Lashings

The United Nations’ Special Rapporteurs have called for investigating the issue of subjugation of women’s rights in Afghanistan by the Taliban as gender persecution after reports of women being subject to lashings. In Afghanistan, the violation of women’s fundamental rights, which are already “severe and unacceptable,” have risen in recent months, the experts said according…


Mbappe Scores 2, France Reaches Knockout Stage of World Cup

DOHA, Qatar—Kylian Mbappe scored two goals and put defending champion France into the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 2–1 win over Denmark on Saturday. Mbappe put France ahead in the 61st minute and then scored the winner in the 86th with his right thigh as Les Bleus became the first team to…


Lewandowski Scores at World Cup, Poland Beats Saudis 2–0

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Robert Lewandowski finally scored at the World Cup on Saturday, helping Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2–0 and boosting his team’s chances of reaching the knockout stages. Lewandowski shed tears after scoring in the 82nd minute. He raced toward the corner with his arms outstretched, then stayed slumped on the field as teammates rushed…


Australia Beats Tunisia 1–0 to Revive Its World Cup Campaign

AL WAKRAH, Qatar—Australia beat Tunisia 1–0 on Saturday to revive its chances of advancing from the group stage at the World Cup. Mitchell Duke gave Australia the lead midway through the first half with a header. Defending champion France and Australia lead Group D with three points each, while Denmark and Tunisia have one point…


Turkey’s Kizilelma Combat Drone Prepares For First Flight After Successful Ground Tests

Turkey’s Bayraktar Kizilelma combat drone, described as the nation’s first “unmanned fighter jet” with a maximum takeoff weight of 6 metric tons, has successfully completed ground tests ahead of its first flight. Turkish drone maker Baykar announced on Nov. 20 that its Kizilelma combat drone had passed the taxi and takeoff run tests at the…


Turkey, Iran Strike Kurdish Groups Amid Fears of Widening Conflict

ISTANBUL—Turkey has ramped up its cross-border strikes on Kurdish YPG militants in Syria and Iraq, while Iran struck dissident groups in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region this week. Russia and the United States, both of which maintain troops in Syria, have called on Turkey to show restraint amid fears of widening conflict in the region….


Valencia Scores World Cup-Best 3rd Goal in Ecuador Draw

AL RAYYAN, Qatar—Ecuador striker Énner Valencia scored a World Cup-best third goal Friday in a 1–1 draw against the Netherlands that eliminated host nation Qatar from the tournament. The draw gave both the Dutch and Ecuador one point apiece to move them to four points in Group A. It left Qatar with zero points after…


Turkey Inches Closer to Invasion as ISIS Terrorist Threat Increases

U.S. officials expressed concerns this week that a possible Turkish invasion of Syria could harm the United States’ ability to defeat ISIS and trigger the release of thousands of terrorists from jails. “The Department of Defense is deeply concerned by escalating actions in northern Syria, Iraq, and Turkey,” said Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick…


Hosts Qatar on Verge of Elimination After 3–1 Loss to Senegal

DOHA—Host nation Qatar is perilously close to crashing out of the World Cup after they slumped to a 3–1 defeat by Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, despite Mohammed Muntari netting a first-ever World Cup finals goal for the Qataris. A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in…


Cheshmi’s Late Goal Sends Iran to 2-0 Win Over Wales

Al RAYYAN, Qatar—Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to break a scoreless stalemate and Iran went on to defeat Wales 2–0 at the World Cup on Friday. Cheshmi’s strike from outside the box was just beyond the diving reach of Wales backup goalkeeper Danny Ward, who was pressed into duty when…