All posts tagged: East

Middle East live: US military strikes ship violating its blockade of Iranian ports

Middle East live: US military strikes ship violating its blockade of Iranian ports

Published by Sam Flores

12/08/2026 – 14:58 F-16 aircraft crashes in training flight in Turkey, defence ministry says A ​military F-16 ​aircraft crashed on Wednesday during ​a ‌training ⁠flight in ‌the northwestern Turkish province ⁠of Yalova, Turkey’s defence ministry ​said, adding ‌that the pilot ‌had ejected ​and survived the crash. Videos on local media ​showed ​a plume ​of black ​smoke coming from a field. 12/08/2026 – 14:53 Israeli troops clash with settlers besieging Palestinian homes in West Bank Israeli troops clashed with ​Jewish settlers on Wednesday while trying to disperse them from a West Bank outpost they set up directly in front of Palestinian homes, and later withdrew from the area after failing to clear the settlers, witnesses said. The incident ​on the outskirts ‌of the Palestinian village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank marked a ⁠rare confrontation between settlers and the military and comes amid a sharp increase in settler land seizures and attacks on Palestinians. The military in a statement late ​on Tuesday described the Qusra outpost as “illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity that harms the …

Lebanon abolishes death penalty in Middle East first

Lebanon abolishes death penalty in Middle East first

Published by Sam Flores

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s parliament on Tuesday (Aug 11) abolished the death penalty, making the country the first in the Middle East to formally end the practice. Lebanon had not carried out an execution since 2004, but sentences were still being issued, the latest being on Monday, and Amnesty International said at least 85 people were still on death row by January. Capital punishment typically applied to major crimes like murder, terrorism and espionage, among others. The most severe crimes will now be given life sentences with hard labour, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. Justice Minister Adel Nassar, who was at the parliament, called the abolition “historic”, and said the spectre of capital punishment had previously prevented Beirut from obtaining the extradition of suspects from countries where it has been outlawed. Independent lawmaker Firas Hamdan celebrated the move in a post on X, thanking “everyone who contributed, for over more than two decades, to reaching this moment”. The move was also hailed by the United Nations, with rights chief Volker Turk calling on Lebanon’s neighbours …

V&A Changes Paid Break Policy as East Storehouse Strike Looms

V&A Changes Paid Break Policy as East Storehouse Strike Looms

Published by Jenni Sidey

Just weeks after workers at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s East Storehouse voted to strike over working conditions, the institution announced that it was changing its break policy, according to Museums Assocation, a nonprofit representing museum, gallery, and heritage professionals and organizations in the UK. The trade union Prospect, which represents collections access officers at the Storehouse, argued that its members were not given enough time to use the bathroom or drink water during their shifts. The union demanded that the institution allow for two paid breaks per shift, which it said was equivalent to what other workers at the V&A already receive. Related Articles On August 7, the V&A notified workers that it was granting staff the requested breaks. However, the Prospect members said they are still planning to strike over pay and other issues. “This is a great result for our members, but it really shouldn’t have taken the threat of strike action for the V&A to grant this reasonable request,” Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy told Museums Association. “The V&A spent multiple …

East Libya military intelligence chief killed in car bomb blast | Military News

East Libya military intelligence chief killed in car bomb blast | Military News

Published by Sam Flores

Prime minister of the eastern Libyan government condemns killing of Major-General Fawzi al‑Mansouri. Published On 11 Aug 202611 Aug 2026 The head of military intelligence for eastern Libya’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) has been killed in a car bomb blast, according to eastern Libyan authorities. Major-General Fawzi al-Mansouri was killed after an improvised explosive device was detonated as he entered his car outside his home in Benghazi’s Hawari district late on Monday, the Reuters news agency reported, citing two security sources. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list Prime Minister of the eastern Libyan government Osama Saad Hammad condemned the killing and pledged to “uncover the circumstances of the crime”. “We condemn, in the strongest terms, this treacherous terrorist act,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. “There is no place in Libya for anyone who raises arms against the state, and no cover for anyone who plans, executes, finances, or incites assassination and terrorism crimes,” he added. Al-Mansouri was appointed as director of military intelligence in Benghazi, with the rank of major-general, …

China, Indonesia Navies to Hold Drills in Sensitive Waters to East of Taiwan

China, Indonesia Navies to Hold Drills in Sensitive Waters to East of Taiwan

Published by Sam Flores

BEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) – The Chinese ⁠and ⁠Indonesian navies will hold ⁠a drill together in the sensitive waters ​to the east of Taiwan this month, China’s defence ministry said ‌on Tuesday, where Beijing ‌has been seeking to assert its sovereignty claims. China ⁠views democratically ⁠governed Taiwan as its own territory, and in June ​began coast guard patrols off the island’s east coast, causing anger in Taipei and concern in Washington and some other Western ​capitals. In a brief statement, China’s defence ministry said that ⁠in mid-August, ⁠a Chinese navy warship ⁠will ​conduct a joint “navigation exercise” with an Indonesian navy ship in ​the waters east ⁠of Taiwan, though it did not give an exact location.  “The exercise will focus on communication drills and at-sea replenishment, aiming to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the ⁠two navies, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and ⁠stability,” it added. Neither Taiwan’s defence ministry nor Indonesia’s navy immediately responded to requests for comment. China recognises no sovereignty claims by Taiwan’s government and its military operates around …

Indonesia closes national park in East Java as wildfire expands | News

Indonesia closes national park in East Java as wildfire expands | News

Published by Sam Flores

Firefighters struggle to battle the growing blaze near Mount Bromo in thick forest and steep terrain. Published On 9 Aug 20269 Aug 2026 Indonesian authorities have closed off all access to Mount Bromo national park in East Java province as a fast-moving wildfire has nearly tripled in size. The park operator announced on Saturday that it has barred visitors from Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, located near an active volcano that regularly draws crowds of tourists. Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, the park chief, said the closure would remain in effect until further notice. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “This closure is a crucial step to maintain safety of visitors, staff and people in the surrounding areas,” the park operator said on its Instagram page, noting that those who have already bought an entrance ticket during the closure may seek a refund. Indonesia mobilised hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers and volunteers on Sunday to contain the blaze, which has consumed roughly 176 hectares (435 acres) of Mount Bromo since …

Yemen’s Houthis claim attack on Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia, and other Middle East news : NPR

Yemen’s Houthis claim attack on Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia, and other Middle East news : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

People walk in Tehran’s traditional main bazaar, Iran, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP hide caption toggle caption Vahid Salemi/AP Yemen’s Houthis said they attacked an oil facility Sunday in southwestern Saudi Arabia, the latest attack by the Iranian-backed rebels on the kingdom. Meanwhile, Iran has made new demands about the restart of negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Pentagon is pressing the U.S. defense industry to accelerate production of weapons. Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, said they targeted an Aramco refinery in the city of Jazan with a drone. The attack was in response to Saudi drones’ breaching Yemen’s airspace over the provinces of Hajjah and Saada, he said. Early on Sunday, the Saudi Energy Ministry reported a fire at a facility belonging to the Aramco refinery without casualties. The ministry said the fire was extinguished but it didn’t describe its cause. Sunday’s Houthi attack is the latest in a series of missile and drone attacks that targeted Saudi Arabia and its shipping in the Red …

Middle East live: Netanyahu rejects Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan

Middle East live: Netanyahu rejects Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan

Published by Sam Flores

09/08/2026 – 17:32 Iran sets tough terms to reopen Strait of Hormuz Iran’s national security chief has outlined a list of demands for the US to meet before Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz. They include lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, compensation for war damages and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Separately, Iran and Oman say they are close to reaching a deal on managing the strategic waterway. FRANCE 24 International affairs editor Douglas Herbert shares his insights. 09/08/2026 – 16:53 Syria says reached deal with Moscow on fate of Russian bases Syria on Sunday said it reached a memorandum of understanding with Moscow over the fate of Russia’s two bases in the country, agreeing to convert the military facilities into joint training and rehabilitation centres within three months. Quoting the foreign ministry, Syria’s official SANA agency said the military bases and facilities at Hmeimim Airport and Tartus port would be turned into “joint training and rehabilitation centres, within new arrangements that preserve mutual interests”. 09/08/2026 – 16:02 Israel, US spar …

Middle East live: Israel conveys ‘concerns’ to US on Gaza plan

Middle East live: Israel conveys ‘concerns’ to US on Gaza plan

Published by Sam Flores

03/08/2026 – 14:17 Iran says it discussed with Oman new Hormuz route involving one path with entry and exit lanes Iran ⁠has ​been ​discussing with Oman creating ​a ‌new route ⁠through ‌the Strait of ⁠Hormuz that would ​be ‌one path with entry ‌and exit ​lanes, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil ​Baghaei ​said ​in a ​televised press conference. 03/08/2026 – 14:13 US, Israel agree to pause further strikes on Iran after weeks of violence After weeks of escalating attacks and fears of an even wider war, President Donald Trump says the US and Israel have agreed to pause further strikes on Iran if a deal to end the conflict can be reached quickly. The announcement marks a dramatic change in tone after Trump recently warned Iran it would be hit “very hard”. Iran swiftly denied there was any such agreement, dismissing Trump’s account and casting fresh doubt over whether diplomacy is any closer. 03/08/2026 – 11:05 Pentagon looking for ‘creative and unconventional’ ideas to punish Iran in mass email, reports CNN CNN reports that an officer …

The East London area once branded a ‘no-go area’ that’s now one of the capital’s hottest places to live

The East London area once branded a ‘no-go area’ that’s now one of the capital’s hottest places to live

Published by Sam Flores

There was a time when the words “London Fields” came with a warning rather than a recommendation. Today, it’s more likely to appear on a list of London’s most desirable postcodes than in tales of places to avoid. But for the people who remember what London Fields used to be, the transformation tells a more complicated story than trendy cafés and soaring property values ever could. It is no understatement to say that London has changed significantly over the last 20 years. As the population has grown and more people have called the capital home, areas have changed. Several areas, such as Walthamstow and Peckham, are examples of gentrification and change. Another would be Hackney but in particular, London Fields. Hackney, as a whole, used to be a place where, back in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, people would say ‘don’t ever go to Hackney’ because it was classed as dangerous. Now, it is one of the most in-demand areas to live in London. This area is now one of the London’s most in demand …