2 Hijackings in 4 Days: Somali Piracy Surges
Experts worry that the conflict in Iran and other regional dynamics are setting the stage for a Somali pirates’ comeback.
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US sanctions 10 individuals in Hezbollah cash network, redesignates group as Iranian proxy
Washington, DC [US], August 21 (ANI): The Trump administration on Thursday (local time) imposed new sanctions on Hezbollah and redesignated the group as an Iranian proxy, CNN reported. The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on 10 individuals alleged to be 'part of a network responsible for transferring cash' to Hezbollah.
In photos: Funeral of 17-year-old Palestinian killed by Israel in March
In photos: Funeral of 17-year-old Palestinian killed by Israel in March Palestinians held a funeral on Thursday for 17-year-old Salim Sami Salim Fuqaha, whose body Israeli authorities had withheld since he was killed on 16 March, in the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Iran calls new US sanctions "economic terrorism", says "pressure are other side of same coin as war"
Tehran [Iran], August 21 (ANI): The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the United States' latest economic sanctions against Tehran, calling them 'economic terrorism' and 'crimes against humanity' while accusing the US of continuing a decades-long policy of hostility towards the Iranian people.
Death of TV host in exile revives Iranians' grief over lost freedom
Messages sent to Iran International after the death of its 37-year-old presenter Farahnaz Espad have mixed personal tributes with reflections on exile, repression and hopes for political change among Iranians at home and abroad.
Bessent warns Iran of "toughest sanctions in history", urges China to "get with the programme"
Washington, DC [US], August 21 (ANI): US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday (local time) warned Iran of the 'toughest sanctions in history', saying Washington will pursue coordinated economic isolation against Tehran and seek to 'collapse this regime', Al Jazeera reported.
Israeli forces block Ramallah Governor’s departure, following slain teen’s funeral
Israeli forces block Ramallah Governor’s departure, following slain teen’s funeral Israeli forces detained Ramallah Governor Laila Ghannam and prevented her from leaving the town of Sinjil on Thursday after she attended the funeral of a Palestinian teenager, Wafa news agency reported, citing local sources. The forces stopped Ghannam’s vehicle at the entrance to the town, northeast of Ramallah, and seized the keys before later allowing her to pass. Ghannam had attended the funeral of 17-year-old Salim Sami Salim Fuqaha, whose body Israeli authorities returned on Thursday after withholding it since his death in March.
Opinion: Amid genocide in Gaza, why must Palestinian journalists uphold the illusion of neutrality?
Opinion: Amid genocide in Gaza, why must Palestinian journalists uphold the illusion of neutrality? On 20 June 2026, the Israeli army killed Al Jazeera Mubasher cameraman Ahmed Wishah in a drone strike, less than two and a half months after the killing of his brother, Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Mohammed Wishah, who was targeted by the same army on 8 April. After Mohammed's death, Ahmed appeared on Al Jazeera pleading: "Let Mohammed be the last journalist Israel kills.
Israeli opinion article says Turkey's Nato protection does not apply to troops in Syria
Israeli opinion article says Turkey's Nato protection does not apply to troops in Syria Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 08/20/2026 - 19:39 The commentary was published in Israel Hayom, which is owned by the same Israeli mega-donor backing US President Donald Trump Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan walks arm in arm alongside US President Donald Trump at Etimesgut Air Base near Ankara, Turkey, on 7 July 2026 (Mustafa Kamaci/Turkish Presidency Press Office handout via AFP) Off An opinion article on Thursday in the right-wing Israeli paper Israel Hayom has suggested that any Turkish troops in Syria would be considered sitting ducks for Israel , because Nato's collective defence pact would not apply outside a member state's borders. The piece comes two days after Israeli air strikes destroyed parts of a disused air force base in northern Syria, close to the Turkish border, where Israel believed Turkish troops were on the cusp of moving in. "Before Turkish troops arrive, the target is infrastructure; once they arrive, striking it also risks Turkish casualties, retaliation, American intervention and confrontation with a NATO member.
US forces redirect 67 vessels, disable 3, board 2 to enforce Iran blockade: CENTCOM
Washington, DC [US], August 21 (ANI): The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday said that American forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two others as part of efforts to enforce a blockade against Iran amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
US Treasury chief urges China to back proposed Iran sanctions
US Treasury chief urges China to back proposed Iran sanctions US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to “get with the programme” over proposed sanctions on Iran, saying Beijing would benefit from the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lower energy prices. Asked in a CNBC interview whether Washington could target China for doing business with Iran, Bessent said such discussions were best held in private but that the United States was confident everyone wanted the strait reopened and energy prices to fall. “The Chinese get 50 percent [of their] energy from inside the Gulf.
US says sanctions will 'squash' Iran's economy and 'collapse' its regime
The US treasury secretary says allies will need to decide whether they "are with us or against us".
US vows to 'collapse' Iran with new sanctions as energy prices spike
US vows to 'collapse' Iran with new sanctions as energy prices spike Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 08/20/2026 - 19:32 Soaring commodity and shipping prices underscore the risks of inflation as US readies 'economic D-Day' US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks to members of the press outside the White House on 20 August 2026, in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP) Off The US will impose "the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran , Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said on Thursday, vowing to ramp up economic pressure on the Islamic Republic even as the economic toll of the war builds. "It is a one-two punch. We have the blockade [on Iran], and we are going to have the toughest sanctions in history," Bessent told CNBC.
UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada condemn Israel's West Bank settlement project
European countries and Canada pile on pressure over Israel's plans to expand settlements in a strategically vital part of the occupied West Bank.
France, Germany, UK and Italy condemn Israel's 'E1' West Bank settlement plan
France, Germany, UK and Italy condemn Israel's 'E1' West Bank settlement plan France, Germany, Britain and Italy condemned on Thursday plans by Israel to launch a construction tender for the E1 settlement project called 'E1' in the occupied West Bank. "The decision by the Israeli government to publish bid offers for construction projects within the framework of the E1 settlers' project is unacceptable," said a joint statement by the leaders of those four countries.
Zambia: Authorities must investigate fatal shooting of former minister and end post-election crackdown
Responding to the reported fatal shooting of opposition party member and former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security operation in Kabulonga, Lusaka on 14 August, and the arrest of at least three other opposition members, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “The reported killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya is […] The post Zambia: Authorities must investigate fatal shooting of former minister and end post-election crackdown appeared first on Amnesty International .
UAE trade halt threatens one of Iran’s remaining economic lifelines
The United Arab Emirates’ decision to halt all trade and financial transactions with Iran threatens one of Tehran’s most important routes for imports, petroleum-product sales and access to international commercial and financial networks.
Hezbollah's Nawaf Moussawi: Only force can compel Israel to leave Lebanon
Hezbollah's Nawaf Moussawi: Only force can compel Israel to leave Lebanon Force must be used to liberate South Lebanon because Israel will never be convinced to withdraw through negotiations alone, senior Hezbollah official Nawaf Moussawi told Middle East Eye. Speaking to MEE in a wide-ranging interview at his Beirut office, Moussawi insisted that Lebanese-Israeli negotiations would remain fruitless as long as President Joseph Aoun comes to the table lacking any sort of leverage over the Israelis. Moussawi, who, as head of Hezbollah’s border and resources department, is responsible for many Israeli affairs, said the Lebanese armed movement will continue to fight the occupying troops until they completely depart from his country.
U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Leaves Middle East After Months at Sea in Operation Against Iran
The aircraft carrier has been deployed for nine months, largely in support of U. S. operations against Iran, and is now heading home to San Diego.
Hezbollah's Nawaf Moussawi: Only force can compel Israel to leave Lebanon
Hezbollah's Nawaf Moussawi: Only force can compel Israel to leave Lebanon Submitted by Daniel Hilton on Thu, 08/20/2026 - 18:24 In an interview with MEE, senior Hezbollah official says Lebanese-Israeli negotiations are bound to fail unless President Joseph Aoun partners with the armed movement " class="video-embed-field-lazy container-element"> Senior Hezbollah official Nawaf Moussawi said Israel is now battling a generation of fighters it does not know (MEE) Off Force must be used to liberate South Lebanon because Israel will never be convinced to withdraw through negotiations alone, senior Hezbollah official Nawaf Moussawi told Middle East Eye. Speaking to MEE in a wide-ranging interview at his Beirut office, Moussawi insisted that Lebanese-Israeli negotiations would remain fruitless as long as President Joseph Aoun comes to the table lacking any sort of leverage over the Israelis. Moussawi, who, as head of Hezbollah’s border and resources department, is responsible for many Israeli affairs, said the Lebanese armed movement will continue to fight the occupying troops until they completely depart from his country.
