Hezbollah and allies lose majority in Lebanon parliament

Results of Sunday's election leave parliament split into several camps raising prospects of political paralysis and tensions that could delay badly needed economic reforms.

Another sandstorm hits Iraq, thousands hospitalised with breathing problems

Authorities in several provinces, including Baghdad, ordered government offices to shut, while schools nationwide were closed due to the eighth dust storm to have lashed the country since mid-April.

Early results of Lebanon's elections show significant loss for Hezbollah

Independents scoop up at least 10 seats, a major achievement considering they went into the vote fragmented and facing intimidation and threats by entrenched mainstream parties.

First commercial flight in 6 years takes off from Yemen's capital

The Yemen Airways flight, which is bound for Jordan's capital Amman, is part of the UN-brokered, 60-day truce agreement that the government and the Houthi rebels struck last month.

Independent probe points to Israeli bullet in Shireen Abu Akleh's killing

Bellingcat, a Dutch-based international consortium of researchers, says its evidence supports witness accounts that Israeli troops fired at and killed Al Jazeera journalist last week.

Lebanon starts counting votes in parliament election amid economic crisis

Voter turnout exceeded 50 percent in many regions, says Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who voices hope that the elections would bring a new parliament that helps the country recover from its economic crisis.

Palestinians mark Nakba Day amid tension with Israel

Nakba Day comes as tensions have been running high amid repeated Israeli arrest campaigns in the occupied West Bank and killing of a trailblazer journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Saudi Aramco’s profit soars as oil prices surge

The state-owned oil producer, which is at par with Apple as the world's most valuable company, reported an almost 82 percent rise in the first-quarter net profit.

Lebanon’s 2019 crowd mounts challenge to old political elite

Independent and emerging candidates, many linked to the ‘October revolution’ in 2019, are expected to gain more seats than even before in Sunday’s polls, but it is unlikely this will bring sweeping change to the beleaguered country.

Mohamed bin Zayed elected UAE's new president

As the nation mourns the death of former President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, his half-brother is elected as the new president by the Federal Supreme Council.

Global outcry after Israeli police beat mourners at Abu Akleh's funeral

The scenes of violence has drawn widespread condemnation when Israeli police beat pallbearers at the funeral for slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

UN Security Council unanimously condemns killing of Palestinian journalist

The final text merely says that "journalists should be protected as civilians" and does not mention violence during the Friday funeral for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.