Middle East
Israel to set new nationwide lockdown as virus cases surge
Lockdown is credited with having brought down what were much lower infection numbers, but it wreaked havoc on Israel's economy
Iran executes young wrestler, evoking shock and condemnation
Donald Trump had pleaded for Afkari's life earlier this month, saying his 'sole act was an anti-government demonstration on the streets'
Afghan's women negotiators face hardline Taliban in peace talks
Their presence at the negotiating table is significant in patriarchal Afghanistan, though they are outnumbered by the rest of the team
Peace talks to begin between Taliban, Afghan government 19 years after 9/11 triggered war
The US-backed negotiations come six months later than planned owing to bitter disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap
Donald Trump announces peace between Israel and Bahrain
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the agreement.
Large fire erupts in Beirut port area, a month after massive blast
The fire erupted in the duty free zone of the port, sending a huge column of smoke above the city
Palestinian FM urges Arab states to dismiss Israel-UAE deal
Most of the Arab world has long rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state
Afghanistan VP lightly wounded in deadly Kabul blast
The explosion killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than a dozen, officials said
Jaishankar discusses Chabahar with Zarif in Iran
Two back-to-back high-level visits could mean New Delhi is concerned over reports of massive Chinese financial assistance to Iran
Trump to host Israel-UAE deal-signing ceremony on September 15
The White House hope is that more such deals between Israel and the Gulf states will emerge, prompting the Palestinians to join negotiations