Pruning scissors in hand, Syrian pistachio farmer Fadi al-Mahmoud inspected his orchard, hoping for his first harvest after years of war, as nearby army de-miners swept the ground for buried explosives. "I will be fine as long as my orchard is fine," said the 40-year-old, who returned to...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday a financial aid plan for "all citizens" aimed at rebooting the economy, hard hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Families with children will receive one-off payments of between 2,000 and 3,000 shekels ($580-875), while "all...

Millions of people faced new coronavirus restrictions Wednesday as infections surged, but in one sign of hope, a US firm said it would soon start final-stage human trials for a possible vaccine. Countries around the world reimposed lockdowns and curbs to contain new outbreaks, as global...

An oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked on July 5 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a seafarers organization said Wednesday. Satellite photos showed the vessel in Iranian waters on Tuesday and two of its sailors remained in the...