Middle East

Washington, Nov 5: The U.S. on Monday imposed “the toughest ever” sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime’s “behaviour”, even as the Trump administration dodged a question whether it has got firm commitments from India and China to stop all oil purchases from Tehran within six months. The sanctions cover Iran’s banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for

Washington, Nov 5: The sons of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Sunday issued an appeal for the return of their father's body and said they wanted to return to Saudi Arabia to bury him. In an interview with CNN, Salah and Abdullah Khashoggi said that without their father's body, their family is unable to grieve and deal with the emotional burden of their father's death. "It's not a normal

Bahrain's appeals court has sentenced three senior members of the country's opposition movement to life in prison over charges of spying for neighbouring Qatar, according to a statement from the public prosecutor. The verdict against Sheikh Ali Salman, who headed the now-outlawed al-Wefaq movement, as well as Sheikh Hassan Sultan and Ali al-Aswad came on Sunday, months after their acquittal by the

Dubai, Nov 5: Iranians chanting "Death to America" rallied on Sunday to mark both the anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. Embassy during the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the imminent reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran's key oil sector. Thousands of students in the government-organised rally in the capital Tehran, broadcast live by state television, burned the Stars and Stripes, an effigy of

Jakarta, Nov 5: Saudi Arabia’s Young Falcons pulled off a remarkable win against South Korea in the Asian Cup final on Sunday, with talisman Turki Al-Ammar leading the line to land the Kingdom its third title at U-19 level and their first since 1992. It caps a wonderful week for Saudi Arabia as their semifinal win over Japan saw them qualify for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, where

Riyadh, Nov 4: Saudi authorities have released the brother of billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal after nearly a year in detention, family members have said, as the kingdom faces international pressure over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder. The release of Prince Khalid bin Talal was confirmed by at least three relatives on Twitter on Saturday, with photos shared of him kissing and embracing

Jeddah, Nov 4: When the clocks strike midnight on the US east coast on Sunday, Iran will become the world’s economic pariah state. US President Donald Trump will reintroduce tough sanctions on Iran’s vital oil sales and banking sectors to try to force Tehran into negotiations to scrap its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and end its regional meddling. Most international sanctions were lifted

Istanbul, Nov 3: The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi could alter the power dynamic in the Middle East by strengthening Turkey's influence at Saudi Arabia's expense as they compete for leadership of the Islamic world, analysts say. This certainly appears to be the goal of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the main regional supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, which Saudi Arabia and its

Dubai, Nov 3: Dubai Metro services between Al Rashidya Station and Emirates Tower Station have been restored, Roads and Transport Authority(RTA) said. The services were disrupted along the Red Line on Saturday. About 37 buses were deployed to serve the affected passengers. RTA had first resumed operations between Al Rashidiya and GGICO Station.

Tehran, Nov 2: Iran is bracing for the restoration of US sanctions on its vital oil industry next week, as it grapples with an economic crisis that has sparked sporadic protests over rising prices, corruption and unemployment. The oil sanctions, set to take effect on Monday, will target the country’s largest source of revenue in the most punishing action taken since the Trump administration