Search focused on the Middle East

29+ min ago (1481+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 792 Rossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter. When the Yom Kippur War broke out in Israel on October 6, 1973, American citizen Thomas Levy was in Athens studying Greek after working at a dig in a small prehistoric site in the north of the country. Twenty years old at the time, he made his way to Israel to help out and spent two months milking cows at Kibbutz Eilot in the Arava Valley before flying back to Arizona, where he was attending college. Today a prominent archaeologist, Levy tells the story in his newly released autobiography, "The Boomer Archaeologist " A Graphic Memoir of Tribes, Identity and the Holy Land," illustrated by Levy's niece Lily Almeida and published by British academic publisher Equinox. "This book is my story, a personal kind of coming-of-age story, but…...

42+ min ago (925+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 792 Deni Avdija made Israeli basketball history on Friday, becoming the country's all-time leading NBA scorer as he has turned into a true star player for the Portland Trailblazers in his fifth season in the league. While Avdija has been a solid player since entering the league in 2020, he has emerged this season as the star player on his team, and has a real chance at becoming Israel's first-ever NBA All-Star if he keeps up his current pace. The 24-year-old forward entered Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons needing 30 points to surpass former Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi's career tally of 4,642. Despite the loss to Detroit, Avdija scored 35 points on incredible efficiency, pushing his total to 4,648 points and cementing a new national milestone. The achievement added to a breakout season already filled with personal highs for Avdija,…...

53+ min ago (71+ words) [Members of the Lebanese police look through a door at a Byblos Bank branch where an armed depositor took hostages according to the Depositors]The alleged killer's sons told police their father would beat and torture the wife in front of them. Lebanese man accused of murdering Syrian wife, torturing her with scalding oil The alleged killer's sons told police their father would beat and torture the wife in front of them....

1+ hour, 26+ min ago (75+ words) [Ghassan Al-Duhaini greets troops in Gaza. (photo credit: screenshot, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)]In an interview with N12 News, Al-Duhaini said that he fights Hamas "in the name of the people and the free individuals." Abu Shabab's deputy speaks out after appointment: 'Why would I be afraid of Hamas?' In an interview with N12 News, Al-Duhaini said that he fights Hamas "in the name of the people and the free individuals."...

1+ hour, 26+ min ago (128+ words) Zahle is getting ready for one of the biggest Christmas events in Lebanon, and it is the first time the entire Bekaa sees a festival on this scale. From December 12 to 31, the Municipality of Zahle, Moallaka, and Taanayel is bringing Zahle Magical Christmas to life, turning the Berdawni parking area into a full winter village packed with lights, music, food, and snow. The opening ceremony takes place on December 12 at 5:30 PM, kicking off nearly three weeks of holiday celebrations. Here is what you will find: The festival will wrap up with a big New Year's Eve countdown and fireworks show, welcoming 2026 in true Zahle style. If you are planning Christmas outings this year, this one should be high on the list....

1+ hour, 35+ min ago (1008+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 792 With the remains of just one hostage still in Gaza, the weekly Saturday night rallies that have been a hallmark of the struggle to free the captives shifted to a Tel Aviv ceremony to welcome Shabbat on Friday evening, with family members of Ran Gvili insisting that Israel refuse to move ahead with the Gaza peace deal until he is returned. As the hostage rallies ended, anti-government protests were set to take center stage Saturday night. As part of the October 9 Gaza ceasefire deal, Hamas on Wednesday returned the body of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai farmer killed in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages. Police Master Sgt." Gvili, killed fending off terrorists in Kibbutz Alumim, is now the last remaining hostage taken during…...

2+ hour, 18+ min ago (57+ words) [Qatar]Mediators are working together to force the next phase of ceasefire forward, he said during a panel at the Doha Forum conference in Qatar. Gaza talks at 'critical' moment, Qatari prime minister says Mediators are working together to force the next phase of ceasefire forward, he said during a panel at the Doha Forum conference in Qatar....

2+ hour, 30+ min ago (433+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 792 TEHRAN " Iranian authorities have opened a criminal case against the organizers of a marathon on Kish island, the judiciary said Saturday, after images emerged of women competing without hijab. More than 5,000 people took part in Friday's race, according to local media, with images online showing a number of runners who were not following the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women, which was enshrined in law in the early 1980s. "Despite previous warnings regarding the need to comply with the country's current laws and regulations, as well as religious, customary, and professional principles" the event was held in a way that violated public decency," the local prosecutor was quoted as saying in the judiciary's official news outlet, Mizan Online. "Considering the violations that occurred and based on the laws and regulations, a criminal case has been filed…...

2+ hour, 55+ min ago (191+ words) ALBAWABA- Netflix has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a landmark $40 billion deal that could redraw the global streaming map, the Financial Times reported Saturday." The prospective takeover, valuing Warner Bros. Discovery well above its current $25 billion market cap, comes as content giants race to scale up amid fierce competition from Disney, Amazon, and Paramount Global. Discovery, saddled with $42 billion in debt from its 2022 merger, a sale would provide relief while leveraging its premium assets, including HBO's prestige catalog, CNN, and the DC Comics universe. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, under pressure from shareholders frustrated by streaming losses topping $5 billion annually, reportedly views the tie-up as a financial lifeline and a chance to accelerate AI-driven personalization across the merged platform. Market reaction was mixed; Netflix shares slipped 2% in after-hours trading, while Warner Bros. Discovery jumped 8%, reflecting optimism about…...

3+ hour, 39+ min ago (28+ words) [A look at a construction site that blocks foot traffic in Jerusalem]Movers and shakers in Israeli society. Grapevine: Happy 80th, dear Dorraine! Movers and shakers in Israeli society....