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Middle East

Turkish central bank slashes rates as threat of sanctions fades

Turkey's central bank slashed rates by a more than expected 250 points to 14 percent Thursday, taking advantage of an inflation dip and a steadier lira after Washington cancelled just-announced sanctions over a military incursion into Syria. The bank lowered its benchmark one-week repo rate...

Lebanese president says willing to meet protesters

Lebanese President Michel Aoun broke his silence after a week of unprecedented protests Thursday, expressing willingness to meet demonstrators. "I am ready to meet your representatives... to hear your demands," he said in a short televised speech, his first since daily street protests began...

France reopens disputed ancient tomb in Jerusalem

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it, after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt. The site known as the Tomb of the Kings in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem can now be...

Lebanon protests enter second week

Protests in Lebanon entered a second week on Thursday with demonstrators blocking main roads in Beirut and other parts of the country, AFP correspondents and Lebanese media reported. Sparked on October 17 by a proposed tax on calls made through messaging apps, the protests have morphed into...