Middle East Monitor Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa

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  Spain summons Israeli envoy over Gaza flotilla interception, calls it ‘new violation of int’ law’

  by Marwa A on May 18, 2026

  Spain on Monday summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires and lodged what Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described as a “formal and forceful protest” over Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, calling it “a new violation of international law,” Anadolu reports. Speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty in Madrid, Albares said Israeli forces had intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla and that Spanish authorities were closely monitoring the situation, El Mundo reported. “I do not have the exact number of Spaniards, but it would be around 45,” Albares said, adding that between “one and two dozen” Spanish nationals aboard the vessels may currently be detained by Israeli authorities. Albares said Spain had already established contact with other

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  2 Palestinians killed, 4 injured from Israeli fire in Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Marwa A on May 18, 2026

  Two Palestinians were killed and four others wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip on Monday, in the latest violation of an ongoing ceasefire agreement, medical sources said, Anadolu reports. The sources said the body of a Palestinian man and two injured people arrived at Nasser Medical Complex, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, after an Israeli strike near the Bani Suheila roundabout in the city. Witnesses said an Israeli drone shelled a group of civilians near Bani Suheila, causing the casualties. A Palestinian child also breathed his last from injuries sustained from a drone strike in Bani Suheila on Thursday. Two young Palestinians were also injured, including one critically, in Israeli shelling of the Jabalia refugee camp

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  Italy hit by mass strike over rearmament and in solidarity with Gaza

  by Marwa A on May 18, 2026

  A nationwide general strike took place in Italy on Monday in protest against rearmament policies and in support of Palestinians in Gaza, Anadolu reports. The strike was organized following a call from the USB union and other civil society groups under the slogan “We block everything.” Participants opposed rising living costs, increased military spending, and what they described as government priorities favoring armament over healthcare and education. They also expressed opposition to Israel’s attacks in Gaza and voiced support for the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” a civilian aid initiative attempting to reach the territory. Demonstrations were held in multiple cities, including Rome, where protesters gathered at Piazza Cinquecento. Many displayed Palestinian flags and demanded that the Italian government reduce or end

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  Irish president’s sister among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel: Reports

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Irish President Catherine Connolly’s sister is among the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces, according to media reports Monday. Margaret Connolly was among at least six Irish citizens aboard the aid flotilla detained by Israel, the Irish Independent reported, citing activists. According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, 10 boats from a 60-vessel convoy were intercepted in international waters and boarded by Israeli forces earlier Monday. Organizers said the interception took place around 70 nautical miles off the island of Cyprus, with at least six of the 15 Irish participants detained. The flotilla released videos from Connolly and five other activists that appeared to have been recorded before the interception. “If you are watching this video, it means

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  UAE paid $6m to reputation firm tied to Epstein whitewashing to bury damaging report on ambassador

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The United Arab Emirates paid more than $6 million to a secretive US reputation management firm tied to whitewashing a client’s link to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to manipulate Google search results and suppress damaging reporting about its ambassador to Washington, Yousef Al-Otaiba, according to a New York Times investigation. The revelation appears in a wider investigation into Terakeet, a Syracuse-based firm that specialises in search engine optimisation and online reputation management for powerful clients facing public scrutiny.  While the New York Times investigation focuses mainly on Terakeet’s failed attempt to repair the reputation of Goldman Sachs general counsel and supporter of Israel,  Kathryn Ruemmler, over her links to Epstein, one of its most striking revelations concerns the firm’s

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  Ongoing Return: Mapping Memory and Story Telling in Palestine

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  “The geography of Palestine is one, from the river to the sea. The settler military works in different ways to create a fragmented reality for Palestinians,” Rana Barakat writes in the preface to her book Ongoing Return: Mapping Memory and Story Telling in Palestine (University of North Carolina Press, 2026). In the fragments that Zionist settler-colonialism imposed on Palestine, return is inseparable from the continuity of the 1948 Nakba.  Barakat notes that uncovering stories is essential to the Palestinian return to Palestine. The book centres on Lifta’s history and stories, notably those relating to the author’s grandmother, ’Arifa. “Walking through stories is the process – through landscapes, through time and with people, a we continue to return to Lifta and

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  The UAE’s Fujairah bet: Export flexibility, energy security, and regional leverage

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The UAE’s planned second Fujairah, or West-East, pipeline marks a major shift in Gulf energy security and export strategy. It matters not only because it reduces dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, but because it gives Abu Dhabi more freedom to manage exports, expand production, and strengthen its economic leverage. Announced for acceleration in May 2026 by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, with operations targeted for 2027, the project would expand ADNOC’s ability to move crude directly to Fujairah beyond the existing Habshan-Fujairah pipeline’s capacity of about 1.8 million barrels per day. Reducing Exposure to Hormuz The timing is critical. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran-related conflict disrupted roughly one-fifth of

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  Israeli court postpones Netanyahu corruption hearing for ‘security’ reasons

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The Tel Aviv District Court accepted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request Monday to postpone his hearing to respond to corruption charges until Tuesday, citing “political and security” reasons. The public broadcaster KAN said Netanyahu requested the delay Monday morning for “political and security reasons,” without giving further details. The court and the public prosecutor’s office approved the request, and the next hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, KAN said. The delay came as the Israeli army on Monday began attacking the Gaza-bound Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla carrying activists from 39 countries in international waters. Live broadcasts from the flotilla showed Israeli naval forces attacking the boats one after another. The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli army detained

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  Why the US–China Summit may decide the Middle East’s next war

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  There are moments in international politics when geography becomes destiny. The Strait of Hormuz—barely 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point—is once again one of those places. Nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through that narrow artery every day, carrying not just energy, but the fragile assumptions of global order. Today, it is no longer merely a shipping lane. It is the stage upon which the United States, China, Iran, Israel, and the Gulf monarchies are performing a dangerous new act of strategic theatre. The recent US–China summit, overshadowed by Donald Trump’s provocative diplomacy toward Iran, revealed something deeper than another round of transactional great-power bargaining. It exposed the quiet collapse of the old American-led Middle East

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  US bases in Germany allegedly used for large-scale arms shipments to Israel

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Large-scale shipments of weapons and ammunition were allegedly transported to Israel over the past 24 hours through US military bases in Germany using dozens of cargo aircraft, Anadolu reports. Israel’s Channel 13 reported Monday that dozens of cargo planes arriving from Israel at US bases in Germany were reloaded with ammunition before returning to Israel shortly afterward. The report said the Israeli army remains on high alert over the possible resumption of attacks on Iran and that a timeline has been set for completing military preparations. It added that there is a growing belief within the Israeli administration that US President Donald Trump could soon give the “green light” for renewed attacks on Iran. On April 30, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced

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  After the war on Iran, the Transatlantic alliance rift grows wider

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  For decades, the Transatlantic alliance was presented as the cornerstone of the so-called liberal international order—a partnership portrayed by shared values, mutual defence, and coordinated foreign policy. However, the recent US-Israeli war on Iran, which erupted on 28th February 2026, has contributed greatly to shattering that illusion. As the repercussions of such conflicts still cast its effects on the world, the divisions between Washington and its European allies have widened into a chasm, exposing a Western world more fractured and less cohesive than at any time in recent memory. The war itself was considered perhaps the most significant rupture in the alliance between Washington and Europe. Multiple European leaders have confirmed that they were not consulted before the US and

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  ‘Build and keep a wall’: Pro-Israel donors openly target Massie as warning to Israel critics

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The Republican primary race to unseat US Representative and Israel critic Thomas Massie has become the most expensive House primary in history, with pro-Israel groups pouring millions of dollars into the contest. The election is being seen as a test case intended to warn lawmakers that criticism of Israel can cost them their seat. According to Politico, ad spending in the Kentucky race has topped $32 million, surpassing previous House primary records. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), its super PAC United Democracy Project and the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund have spent more than $9 million in a bid to defeat Massie, while prominent pro-Israel Republican donors have contributed millions more to a Trump-aligned super PAC supporting his

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  Maariv: Hezbollah drone attacks raise concerns in Israeli army

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  A report by Israeli newspaper Maariv examined operations carried out by the Lebanese group Hezbollah against Israeli forces using drones, particularly an attack near Rosh Hanikra. Hezbollah published footage of a drone strike targeting the Rosh Hanikra tourist site at the weekend, which wounded four Israelis, one of them critically. The newspaper said Hezbollah was aware that fibre-optic-guided drones represented a weak point in the Israeli air defence systems. It added that the use of such drones over the border area and northern settlements was intended to increase the psychological impact of the attacks beyond the physical damage they may cause. READ: Netanyahu orders ‘special project’ to counter Hezbollah drones According to the report, Hezbollah fighters deliberately target exposed personnel in

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  Israeli strike kills Islamic Jihad commander in eastern Lebanon

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  An Israeli strike killed a commander in the Islamic Jihad movement and his daughter after a guided missile hit an apartment housing a Palestinian family on the outskirts of the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, Lebanon’s state news agency said early on Monday. The attack comes amid continued Israeli violations of the fragile ceasefire agreement announced on 17th April and extended on Friday for another 45 days until early July. The National News Agency (NNA) said “the Israeli enemy” targeted, shortly after midnight, an apartment occupied by a Palestinian family near the southern entrance to Baalbek.  It added that the strike killed Islamic Jihad commander Wael Abdel Halim and his 17-year-old daughter Rama, while rescue and emergency teams were still

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  ICC denies issuing new arrest warrants against Israeli officials

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday denied a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz claiming that it had issued new arrest warrants against five Israeli political and military officials over alleged crimes against Palestinians. ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said in a statement to journalists that the report was “inaccurate”, stressing that the court denies issuing any new arrest warrants “in the current situation in the State of Palestine”. Earlier on Sunday, Haaretz reported, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, that the court in The Hague had issued secret arrest warrants against three Israeli political officials and two military officials, before the ICC later denied the report. READ: International Criminal Court issues secret arrest warrants for 5 Israeli officials: Report

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  Egyptian forces in the UAE: Gains and losses

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The presence of Egyptian forces in the UAE, against the backdrop of the US and Israeli-led war on Iran, raises serious questions among the Egyptian public about the missions and objectives, the gains and losses, and the potential dangers of involvement in a war that Egyptians say has nothing to do with them. The suspicion and controversy may be exacerbated by the revelation that Egypt sent advanced air-defence systems and their operators to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait during the war, according to The Wall Street Journal. This decision, made secretly and without parliamentary approval, represents a strategic shift in the Egyptian military doctrine and Cairo’s stance of refusing involvement in any war outside its borders. It may have

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  On the Anniversary of the Nakba: Calls to End the War on Gaza and Suspend the Partnership with Israel

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  On Sunday, 17th May 2026, the city of Brussels witnessed a massive popular march commemorating the seventy-eighth anniversary of the Nakba, with broad participation from Belgian civil society organisations, labor unions, and human rights and environmental associations. The march evolved into both a political and popular platform aimed at exerting pressure on European governments to adopt more stringent positions regarding the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The march, which began at Brussels-North Station and proceeded toward the city center, was organised by the Belgian National Coalition for Palestine, a coalition comprising dozens of institutions and organizations active in the fields of human rights, trade union work, and international solidarity. This coalition is regarded as one of the most prominent

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  Former Iraqi defence adviser says Israeli activity in Iraq carried out under US cover

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Former Iraqi defence ministry adviser Maen al-Jubouri said Israeli military movements in Iraq’s desert areas were carried out under US cover, accusing Washington of having “deceived” officials in Baghdad. Speaking in a media interview on Sunday, al-Jubouri said the discovery of a second alleged Israeli base in Iraq was “less shocking” than the discovery of the first and did not come as a major surprise. “These bases were imposed by the circumstances the region went through. We know Iraq has been a theatre for many operational and military activities,” he said. He added that Iraq’s military geography had given both Israel and the United States room to operate freely. Asked whether he truly believed Israeli bases existed in Iraq, al-Jubouri

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  Hamas condemns Israeli move against UNRWA compound in Jerusalem

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Hamas said Israel’s decision to convert the former UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood into Israeli military facilities represents a violation of international law and the protections granted to UN institutions. In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas described the move as “null and void” and called for international action, including what it termed deterrent sanctions against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier on Sunday, the Israel government approved plans to establish an office for Defence Minister Yisrael Katz, an army museum and a military recruitment centre on the site of the former UNRWA compound in occupied Jerusalem. READ: Jerusalem Governorate condemns Israel’s plan to turn UNRWA compound into military facilities A joint statement from the Israeli

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  Bahrain sentences man to life imprisonment over alleged ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Bahrain sentenced a man to life imprisonment after convicting him of espionage and collaboration with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, according to Bahraini judicial authorities. The head of Bahrain’s Terrorism Crimes Prosecution said the High Criminal Court of Bahrain found the defendant guilty of collecting and transferring sensitive information to a foreign state with the intent of carrying out hostile and terrorist acts against the kingdom. The court also convicted him of promoting and supporting hostile acts against Bahrain and ordered the confiscation of seized materials in addition to the life sentence. According to the prosecution, investigations conducted by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science concluded that Hezbollah had recruited the defendant after he allegedly

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  Israel economy shrinks 3.3% due to war with Iran

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Official Israeli data revealed that the Israeli economy contracted by 3.3 percent year-on-year during the first quarter of 2026, impacted by the repercussions of the ongoing war with Iran. According to a report published Sunday by the Israeli economic website Globes, the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics stated that the Israeli economy experienced a 3.3 percent annual contraction during the first quarter of this year. The website explained that this sharp decline ended a period of growth that had lasted for two consecutive quarters, indicating that the war with Iran was the primary cause of the recorded economic downturn. The data showed that the GDP per capita decreased by 4.5 percent annually compared to the last quarter of 2025, which

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  Jerusalem Governorate warns of Israeli plan to seize Palestinian properties near Al-Aqsa Mosque

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The Jerusalem Governorate called for urgent international intervention after Israeli authorities approved a plan to seize Palestinian properties in the Bab al-Silsila area near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. In a statement issued on Sunday, the governorate described the move as a “dangerous colonial escalation” aimed at displacing Palestinian residents and tightening Israeli control over areas surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem. According to the statement, the decision implements an earlier recommendation approved by a former Israeli minister responsible for Jerusalem affairs and heritage, reactivating a confiscation order dating back to 1968 under the stated pretext of enhancing Jewish control and security in the area. The governorate said the plan targets between 15 and 20 historic Palestinian

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  Netanyahu says Israeli army nearing completion of Gaza mission, signals readiness for all Iran scenarios

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli army is approaching the completion of its military campaign in the Gaza Strip following the killing of senior Hamas leaders. Speaking during the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue targeting Palestinian faction leaders, stating: “We eliminated the number one in Hamas, (Haddad), and all the architects of the 7th October attack will be eliminated; we are very close to completing the mission.” Netanyahu also addressed tensions with Iran, saying Israel is prepared for “every scenario” and remains in close coordination with the United States. He announced plans to hold another phone call later on Sunday with US President Donald Trump, adding that communication between the two sides takes

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  The crisis of leadership in the West: From the charisma of ideas to the tyranny of public relations

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  During his official visit to Beijing, President Donald Trump faced a challenge of a peculiar kind. A White House official later revealed that the President was strictly prohibited from using his personal smartphone due to stringent security protocols imposed by Chinese authorities. For a man who views that small screen as an intercontinental political weapon, the measure was nothing short of “disarmament.” Trump’s phone was never merely a tool for communication; it was a launchpad for threats, warnings, and sarcastic remarks capable of shifting global discourse at the swipe of a finger. This single episode encapsulates our contemporary reality: the mobile phone has mutated from a communication device into the primary steering wheel of the modern world, where politics is

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  Unknown vessels surround Gaza aid flotilla

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  The Global Sumud Flotilla said it had detected unidentified vessels near its convoy heading to break the blockade on Gaza. Activists aboard the flotilla said in posts on X that ships and fast boats had been seen moving in front of the convoy, behind it and along one of its sides. The development came shortly after the flotilla announced it had reached international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. On Thursday, the convoy of 54 vessels set sail from the Turkish Mediterranean city of Marmaris in a new attempt to break the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza. The flotilla includes members of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s board of directors, among them Sumeyra Akdeniz Ordu, Dr Imane Al-Makhloufi, Saif Abu Keshk, Ko

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  Israeli military to implement death penalty against Palestinian attackers in West Bank

  by MI on May 18, 2026

  Hebrew media reported that Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has instructed the implementation of the death penalty against Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks in the occupied West Bank, a move previously pushed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.  Israel’s Channel 14 said that, under Katz’s instructions, the death penalty “will be adopted as the first option and punishment against any attacker arrested alive after killing Israelis”. The channel added that the decision was signed on Sunday by the commander of the Israeli army’s Central Command, Major General Avi Bluth, following Katz’s directive to begin enforcing the law According to the report, the order allows the implementation of the death penalty against attackers in the West Bank in line

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  Qatar warns against using Strait of Hormuz as ‘bargaining chip’

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned against using the Strait of Hormuz as a “bargaining chip” during a phone call Sunday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Anadolu reports. According to a statement by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the two officials reviewed efforts aimed at achieving peace and enhancing regional security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s “full support for efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the crisis,” stressing the need for all parties to respond positively to mediation efforts “in a way that contributes to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region,” the ministry said. He also stressed that freedom of navigation is “a firmly established principle that is not open to

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  ‘Clock is ticking’ for Iran, warns US President Trump

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran, saying the “Clock is Ticking” for them to “get moving” before “there won’t be anything left of them,” Anadolu reports. His remarks came amid repeated threats for Tehran to agree to a ceasefire. “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” he said on his Truth Social media account. READ: US outlines 5 conditions for Iran deal: Report  

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  Pakistani, Egyptian top diplomats discuss regional situation amid Mideast conflict

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Sunday discussed the “evolving” regional situation amid the Mideast conflict, Anadolu reports. During a phone call, Abdelatty appreciated Pakistan’s “sincere efforts for promoting regional peace and stability,” said a statement from Islamabad’s Foreign Ministry. They also discussed matters related to the regional consultative forum of the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, covering ongoing engagements at the UN Security Council and broader multilateral diplomatic developments, it said. Abdelatty also commended Pakistan’s facilitation in the repatriation of 20 Iranian and 11 Pakistani seafarers via Singapore, who had been aboard vessels seized by the United States. READ: US outlines 5 conditions for Iran deal: Report “Both sides agreed

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  China, US, UAE police carry out 1st joint operation in Dubai targeting telecom, online fraud

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Police from China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates have carried out their first joint international operation in Dubai targeting telecom and online fraud, China’s Ministry of Public Security said on Sunday, Anadolu reports. During the operation, police dismantled nine fraud dens and arrested 276 suspects, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua. Investigations found that the fraud rings lured victims by faking romantic relationships on social media and building trust before tricking them into investing in so-called high-return cryptocurrency schemes, which resulted in financial losses. The joint operation marks a major milestone in Chinese police efforts to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation, a ministry official said. “Chinese police will continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation with more countries,

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  Iran, Trump, and the cracks in American power

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  If there is one thing that now appears irreversible, it is that Iran did not lose this war and that the United States and Israel have collectively looked irrational and overconfident in their predictions. The assumption that overwhelming military pressure would quickly subdue Tehran has not materialised. Instead, the conflict has exposed the limits of American coercive power in West Asia and revealed the dangers of strategic arrogance dressed up as certainty. It increasingly appears that Washington’s room for manoeuvre is constrained by Benjamin Netanyahu’s escalation strategy and the influence of the pro-Israel lobby within American politics.  For decades, Washington relied on military superiority, sanctions, diplomatic intimidation, and regional alliances to discipline adversaries into submission. Iran, however, neither collapsed internally

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  Jerusalem Governorate condemns Israel’s plan to turn UNRWA compound into military facilities

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  The Jerusalem Governorate on Sunday described Israeli approval to convert the former compound of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood into Israeli military facilities as “a dangerous escalation and a serious breach of international law,” Anadolu reports. In a statement, the governorate called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take urgent steps to refer Israel to the International Court of Justice if it does not revoke laws and measures targeting UNRWA. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli government approved plans to establish an office for Defense Minister Israel Katz, an Israeli army museum, and a military recruitment office on the site of the former UNRWA compound in Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem. A joint statement

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  Iranian president praises neighbors for preventing ‘misuse of territory’ against Iran

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday hailed “valuable and commendable” cooperation with neighboring countries in preventing what he called “any misuse of their territories” against Iran, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking during a meeting with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, Pezeshkian said greater unity among Islamic countries would reduce “the possibility of interference and adventurism by extra-regional powers and the Zionist regime,” the presidency said in a statement. “The main objective of the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel) in attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran was to create internal instability and attempt to weaken and overthrow the Islamic system,” he said. Pezeshkian added that Iran’s people had demonstrated “cohesion, strength and loyalty” by standing beside the country

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  Egyptian president inaugurates $15B New Delta agricultural development project

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated the “New Delta” agricultural development project on Sunday in northwestern Egypt with total investments estimated at 800 billion Egyptian pounds (approximately $15 billion), Anadolu reports. The project aims to enhance food security and achieve self-sufficiency in strategic commodities, according to Egypt’s State Information Service. The project extends across desert hinterlands, linking the governorates of Beheira, Giza, and Matrouh in northwestern Egypt. The targeted area of the project spans 2.2 million feddans, equivalent to around 15% of Egypt’s current agricultural land, making it “the largest horizontal agricultural expansion in the history of modern Egyptian agriculture,” according to the state body. The project’s infrastructure includes the construction of 19 major pumping stations to transport water against

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  Iran: China’s quiet hedging strategy in the Middle East

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  China’s growing engagement with Iran increasingly reveals that Tehran is no longer merely a regional issue confined to Middle Eastern politics. Iran has become part of Beijing’s wider geopolitical calculation in an era shaped by intensifying great-power rivalry and a rapidly shifting global order. Recent meetings between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing reflected more than routine bilateral diplomacy. China once again emphasised the importance of regional stability, the security of global energy routes, and the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for international trade. At the same time, discussions involving Iran and the broader Middle East have become deeply intertwined with strategic conversations between China and the United States over

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  Police arrest 43 in central London to prevent clashes during rival protests

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Forty-three people were arrested on Saturday during a large public order operation in central London involving more than 4,000 officers, the Metropolitan Police said, Anadolu reports. The operation was designed to create a “sterile zone” between two opposing demonstrations: a rally organized by Islamophobic activist Tommy Robinson and a pro-Palestinian protest. According to the police, 20 of those arrested were linked to the “Unite the Kingdom” protest, 12 to the “Nakba” protest, and 11 were either unrelated to either group or could not be identified. READ: Nakba Day march in London The police said 11 of the arrests related to hate crime offenses. Of those, two are linked to the Nakba protest and nine to Unite the Kingdom. The offenses, they

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  ‘Syria now laboratory for new regional alignment of diplomacy,’ says US envoy

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on Sunday that “Syria is now a laboratory for a new regional alignment of diplomacy, integration and hope for the entire region,” Anadolu reports. Barrack’s remarks came in a post on the US social media company X, following a Saturday meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss developments in Syria and the region. Under Sharaa’s leadership and with “the dedicated diplomacy” of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria has achieved “remarkable” progress, said the envoy. The opportunities ahead offer “exponential advancement” for the Syrian people and enduring stability, he added. The meeting took place at the People’s Palace in Damascus. The Syrian Arab News Agency reported the two sides discussed “developments in

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  UK deploys low-cost anti-drone missile system to Middle East

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Britain has deployed a new low-cost missile system to the Middle East in a move aimed at strengthening protection against drone attacks targeting “UK forces, citizens and regional partners,” Anadolu reports. The Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Saturday that the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) has now been fitted to RAF Typhoon fighter jets operating in the region, allowing the aircraft to destroy drones and other threats at “a fraction of the price” of the missiles currently in use. “The system has now been deployed on operations in the Middle East with sorties flown by 9 Squadron RAF Typhoon fighter jets as part of the missions to defend British people, interests and partners from threats,” it noted.

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  US outlines 5 conditions for Iran deal: Report

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  The United States has outlined five key conditions to reach a deal with Tehran, including “allowing only one Iranian nuclear facility to remain operational,” Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday. Washington’s four other conditions include refusing to pay any compensation or damages, demanding the transfer of 400 kilograms of Iranian uranium to the United States, withholding the release of even 25% of Iran’s frozen assets, and conditioning any halt to the war on all fronts on the outcome of negotiations, the report said. For its part, Iran’s key conditions include ending the war across all fronts, including in Lebanon, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets, compensating for war damage, and “recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of

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  Fire breaks out near nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi after drone strike, officials say

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  A fire caused by a drone strike broke out near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, Emirati officials said on Sunday, Anadolu reports. “Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a fire incident that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region, caused by a drone strike,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on the US social media company X. “No injuries were reported, and there was no impact on radiological safety levels,” it added. The office said all precautionary measures have been implemented. READ: US officials pushing UAE to seize Iranian island: Report “The fire did not affect the safety of the power plant or the

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  Iranian parliament speaker appointed as special envoy to China: Report

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has been appointed as Tehran’s special envoy to China, according to a Sunday report by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. Qalibaf “will serve as a coordinator of various national bodies in matters related to China,” said the report, citing informed sources. The appointment was proposed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and approved by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Tasnim noted. “Given the nature of Qalibaf’s appointment, his mandate carries a different level of authority compared to previous representatives,” it said, citing the sources. The report did not provide information on whether Qalibaf would continue his role as the parliament speaker. READ: Beijing extends support to Iran amid conflict with US ahead of Trump’s China trip

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  Israel cannot destroy all Hezbollah weapons without ‘political breakthrough’: Israeli source

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Israel cannot destroy Hezbollah’s weapons even if it occupies the entire southern Lebanon in the absence of a “political breakthrough,” an Israeli security source said Sunday. “Even if we occupy all of southern Lebanon, as some suggest, these measures will not be able to destroy…Hezbollah’s arsenal,” Israel’s public broadcaster KAN quoted the source as saying. The statement came amidst continued exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. The Israeli security establishment believes that “Hezbollah can be further weakened through targeted assassinations, infrastructure strikes, and additional operational measures, but it acknowledges that there is no radical solution on the horizon that will eliminate the threat,” the source said. The Israeli army is employing measures at a cost of about

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  Saudi Arabia is pulling Europe toward a “Gulf Helsinki” deal with Iran — because Washington failed

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  When military power fails to impose “deterrence,” oil becomes politics. And the Strait of Hormuz is now writing Gulf security rules instead of the Pentagon. With Hormuz still closed and the emergency oil stock releases used to calm markets running down, prices are moving _ no matter how much some people deny it _ toward a new surge. The real problem is not the price as a number. It is the chain reaction: gasoline and diesel, shipping and insurance, raw materials, and then inflation that travels from Asia to the United States. And even if the strait opened tomorrow, the damage would not vanish. Supply chains do not reset overnight, and parts of the oil and petrochemicals flow would take

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  International Criminal Court issues secret arrest warrants for 5 Israeli officials: Report

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued secret arrest warrants against five Israeli officials, including three politicians and two military personnel, Israeli newspaper Haaretz said on Sunday, Anadolu reports. The report came as The Hague-based court already issued arrest warrants in November 2024 against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. There has been no immediate statement from the ICC regarding the report. If confirmed, this would bring to seven the number of Israeli officials facing arrests by the court. The Israeli army has killed more than 72,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 172,000 in a two-year war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023.

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  Qatari, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts to ease tension in Middle East

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and his Saudi Arabian counterpart Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the situation in the Middle East, including those related to the US-Iran war, Anadolu reports. In a Sunday statement on US social media company X, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the discussions over the phone call also addressed efforts to ease tensions and promote stability and security across the region. Sheikh Mohammed stressed the “importance of all parties responding positively to the ongoing mediation efforts, which would pave the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, leading to a sustainable agreement that prevents renewed escalation,” the ministry said. READ: US officials pushing UAE

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  UN special rapporteur says Israel tortures Palestinian detainees in its detention centers

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese said on Saturday that Israel uses torture against Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention centers and against the wider Palestinian population in the occupied territories, Anadolu reports. Her remarks came after a New York Times investigation by Nicholas Kristof said that torture and sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners had become systematic in Israeli custody. Albanese shared her report Torture and Genocide, which was prepared for the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. The report examined the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967 and focuses on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023. According to the report, torture has long been a central part of Israel’s dispossession of

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  US officials pushing UAE to seize Iranian island: Report

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  US officials are encouraging the United Arab Emirates to “get more heavily involved in the Iran war and seize one of Tehran’s Gulf islands,” The Telegraph reported Saturday. A former senior US security official told the newspaper that some people within US President Donald Trump’s circle have proposed that the UAE seize Lavan Island, which was reportedly targeted in covert Emirati military strikes in early April. “Go take ’em!” the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper, adding: “It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US.” READ: Israeli premier made secret trip to UAE to meet President bin Zayed Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. In response.

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  Israeli army captain killed in drone attack in southern Lebanon

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  An Israeli military officer was killed on Saturday when an explosive-laden drone detonated in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. The Israeli army said in a statement that “24-year-old Captain Maoz Israel Recanati, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, was killed in clashes in southern Lebanon.” “Recanati was killed by a drone strike. He is the 20th Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon since the start of the war with Iran on February 28 and the 7th since the ceasefire began on April 16,” according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. This is the second officer whose death Israel has announced in the past 24 hours in the fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah’s drone attacks on Israeli forces operating

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  Jerusalem Governorate warns of Israeli plan to seize properties near Al-Aqsa Mosque

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate warned on Saturday of an Israeli plan to seize approximately 20 properties near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing it as a “new colonial escalation,” Anadolu reports. In a statement, the governorate said that “Israeli authorities are preparing to approve on Sunday a plan aimed at seizing Palestinian properties in the Bab al-Silsila neighborhood adjacent to Al-Aqsa Mosque, displacing residents and evicting Palestinian commercial shops to make way for settlement expansion.” “The targeted area includes between 15 and 20 Palestinian properties, including buildings and Islamic endowments dating back to the Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods,” it added. It explained that “the Bab al-Silsila neighborhood is one of the most important entrances leading to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and targeting

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  How Washington profits from Iran’s pain

  by MI on May 17, 2026

  There is a strange ritual in Washington whenever Iran is discussed. The language begins with democracy, women’s rights, non-proliferation and regional stability. It then somehow ends with sanctions, threats, aircraft carriers, television panels and, eventually, bombs. Since Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, coercion has been sold as concern. In May 2026, even as a U.S. peace proposal circulated, Trump was still threatening renewed attacks and demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The gap between vocabulary and policy is no longer hidden inside power. It is power. This is the ethical collapse at the heart of America’s Iran policy. The ordinary Iranian is invoked as the object of compassion, then made to live under policies designed to