Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza Israeli attacks killed at least five Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, Qatar News Agency reported, citing health officials. One Palestinian was killed in a drone strike on a vehicle in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis. Another Palestinian was killed in an Israeli air strike on displaced people along the beaches west of Gaza City.
Muslim man stabbed more than 15 times in Islamophobic attack in Utah Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 18:31 Police say the suspect admitted targeting Syed Sohail Uddin because he was Muslim Syed Sohail Uddin was stabbed more than 15 times in Utah in an Islamophobic attack and remains in critical condition (X/@mahdi_rastani/Screenshot) Off A Muslim mall worker was stabbed more than 15 times in Utah in an Islamophobic attack where the suspect admitted to targeting the victim "with the intent to kill him" because of his faith. Syed Sohail Uddin, 37, was working at a kiosk inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City on Monday afternoon local time when he was repeatedly stabbed. Police arrested 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen, with court records saying that he told investigators he had targeted Uddin because he was Muslim.
Iran judiciary denies Trump statement that American prisoner was freed Iran's judiciary said that no American prisoner had been released or exchanged from its prisons, Iranian state media reported on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump said a US citizen detained during the Biden administration in 2024 had been freed. The judiciary said checks showed no convicted American prisoner, person accused of spying for the United States matching Trump's description, or any other American detainee had been released from Iranian prisons or exchanged.
US forces launch new strikes on Iran, US military says US forces launched strikes on Iran for a fifth night in a row on Thursday, the US military said. The strikes were carried out to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities," US Central Command said in a post on X. At 2 p.
Qatar rejects ‘false Israeli media reports’ on Iran war participation, report says Qatar has “categorically rejected” Israeli media reports that the country agreed to participate in military action against Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. “The State of Qatar will not allow such misleading allegations to undermine its active diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end,” said a statement issued by Qatar’s International Media Office.
Dubai media office says no sounds of 'explosions' in downtown Dubai The Dubai Media Office said on Thursday that there had been no sounds of explosions in downtown Dubai, after witnesses earlier reported hearing booms in that area.
Israeli settlers injure three Palestinians in occupied West Bank Israeli settlers injured three Palestinians during an attack in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday, citing the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Palestinian residents of Masafer Yatta have been facing intensifying violence by settlers in recent months. A Palestinian teenager was injured by Israeli army gunfire during a raid on Bani Naim, east of Hebron, earlier on Thursday.
Colombia president-elect to open Israel embassy in Jerusalem Colombia's hard-right president-elect plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem as he seeks to restore and strengthen ties with Israel, his office said on Thursday. Abelardo de la Espriella won last month's presidential runoff by less than a percentage point and has promised to clamp down on Colombia's myriad armed groups – partly by forging a military alliance with the United States and Israel. In 2024, leftist President Gustavo Petro severed ties with Israel, one of Colombia's key security partners, over its war on Gaza.
Inside Khamenei's funeral: Revealing moments from a week of mourning Iran 's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , was laid to rest on 9 July after a week-long funeral procession following his assassination in a US - Israeli strike in February. The 86-year-old leader, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, was succeeded by his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies, held across several cities in Iran and Iraq, drew millions of mourners, according to state figures.
Araghchi says US attacks on Iran violate international law Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US attacks on “vital infrastructure” and threats to attack bridges and power plants show “the criminal intent of the US ruling body to commit heinous crimes". US attacks are “undoubtedly a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law," Araghchi said in a statement on Telegram. The minister said they amount to “serious international crimes” under the fundamental principles of international criminal law, including the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, and called on all governments "to prosecute and punish those who commit such crimes”.
Projectile hits near Qeshm Island, report says A US projectile has hit near Iran’s Qeshm Island, Mehr news agency reported. US forces have attacked Qeshm, Kish and Abu Musa islands, as well as port cities along Iran’s southern coast, including Bandar Abbas, in recent days.
Houthi leader: 'A full-scale escalation will be met with full-scale escalation' In a televised statement, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi addressed the Yemeni people, claiming readiness for full-scale escalation "if the Saudi enemy chooses full-scale escalation. " With regards to the ongoing escalations in the region, al-Houthi reiterated his group's support for Iran. "Some regimes are angered when Iran responds to the American bases in their territory, although they are the very bases from which attacks were launched.
Iraqi government orders probe over weapons smuggling to Hezbollah in Lebanon Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 14:42 Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi sets up committee after 'weapons and missiles' sent through Syria to Iran-backed group An Iraqi special forces member stands guard in a street in Basra on 8 September, 2018 (AFP/Haidar Mohammed) Off Iraq's prime minister has announced a probe into cross-border smuggling to Lebanon's Hezbollah. Ali al-Zaidi said he was setting up a "high-level committee" in coordination with the Syrian government to investigate the transport of “advanced weapons” from Iraq through Syria to the Iran-backed group. Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC), which answers directly to the prime minister, said that it would "hold those responsible for any shortcomings accountable, in a manner that ensures the security and stability of the shared border and prevents any attempts to undermine national security.
Saudi Arabia condemns Iran's attacks in Gulf states The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the Iranian attacks in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. "The Kingdom condemns Iran's threats the region's security and stability," the statement added, calling for "resolving disagreements through diplomatic channels.
Inside Khamenei's funeral: Revealing moments from a week of mourning Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 09:26 Political signals and power dynamics emerge from Iran’s elaborate farewell ceremonies Mourners react next to the coffin of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on 28 February in Israeli and US air strikes, and coffins of his family members, on the day of his burial, in Mashhad, Iran, 9 July 2026 (Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters) Off Iran 's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , was laid to rest on 9 July after a week-long funeral procession following his assassination in a US - Israeli strike in February. The 86-year-old leader, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, was succeeded by his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies, held across several cities in Iran and Iraq, drew millions of mourners, according to state figures.
Dua Lipa backs Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ against Kushner-backed resort Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 13:45 The singer condemned law changes that opened protected land to a luxury development backed by Trump's son-in-law British singer-songwriter Dua Lipa at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, on 27 January 2026 (Sebastien Dupuy/AFP) Off Dua Lipa has thrown her support behind Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution”, praising protesters fighting a vast, Trump family-linked development on some of the country’s most environmentally sensitive land. The British pop star, who has Kosovo Albanian heritage, described the movement as “inspiring” during a conversation with Albanian academic and author Lea Ypi for her Service95 book club podcast . “I find it so inspiring to see how much people really care,” Lipa said as the demonstrations entered their sixth week.
Israeli ministers taunt England and revel in Argentina’s World Cup win Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 13:45 Senior politicians, including UK-sanctioned Smotrich and Ben Gvir, use Argentina’s semi-final victory to mock Britain Argentina fans celebrate their World Cup win against England on 15 July 2026, in Miami Beach, Florida (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP) Off Israeli politicians took to social media on Wednesday to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England, cheering one of Israel’s closest allies while taunting Britain . Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted on X moments after the final whistle: "I indeed cannot enter Britain because I am exterminating the idea of the Palestinian state, but two goals got in nicely," referring to the two late goals England conceded. Smotrich also congratulated Argentine President Javier Milei, whom he described as "a friend".
Iraq investigates arms' smuggling to Hezbollah after Syria's announcement Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered an investigation into the smuggling of arms and weapons from Iraq to Hezbollah across the Syrian border, an official Iraqi source told al-Jazeera. The directive comes after the Syrian government announced earlier today that it seized a shipment of advanced weapons allegedly intended for Hezbollah that was being smuggled into Syria from Iraq.
JD Vance says Epstein had connections to CIA and Mossad Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Thu, 07/16/2026 - 11:59 US vice president tells podcaster Joe Rogan there is an 'extremely well-funded' Israel-linked campaign to derail Iran negotiations US Vice President JD Vance speaks at This is the Turning Point Tour at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, US, April 14, 2026 (Reuters) Off The paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was connected to the “highest levels” of US and Israeli intelligence, JD Vance said on Monday. “He clearly had connections to the upper, the highest levels of American intelligence,” the US Vice President told podcaster Joe Rogan, in relation to Epstein. “He clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence.
Britain's Big Brother state is already here - we just don't realise it yet Submitted by Jonathan Cook on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 05:00 While immigrants, Muslims and the left are conveniently scapegoated for the state's failures, our rights are being eroded under the guise of protection from these so-called bogeymen Protesters gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, UK, as the ban on the activist group Palestine Action is ruled as lawful by the Court of Appeal. Judges overturned a previous ruling that said the ban on the group was wrong, 15 June 2026 (Vuk Valcic/Zuma Press Wire) On When is it possible to declare that a society has moved from liberal democracy, however imperfectly realised, to authoritarian rule? Is there a moment when it is suddenly obvious the change has occurred?
