Associated Press
Latest stories
Second Deadly Fire in Syrian Refugee Camp Kills 1

A massive fire has broken out in a camp for Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley in Bar Elias after midnight, killing one person and injuring many others, the National News Agency said on Tuesday.

Civil Defense firefighters extinguished the fire which broke out shortly after midnight burning down 22 tents out of 185 and killing one refugee and wounding 21, NNA said.

W140 Full Story
Trump Criticizes Kim Jong Un after Latest Missile Launch

President Donald Trump criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after that country's latest missile launch, asking, "Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?"

Trump wrote on Twitter late Monday that it's "Hard to believe that South Korea ... and Japan will put up with this much longer."

W140 Full Story
Lebanon's State TV Website Hacked by Syrian Group

Lebanon's state television website on Tuesday was hacked by the so-called Syrian Revolution Electronic Army protesting the latest army operation at encampments of Syrian refugees in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

W140 Full Story
Venezuelan Opposition Sets Symbolic Vote on New Constitution

Venezuela's opposition said Monday it will hold a symbolic referendum to give voters the opportunity to reject President Nicolas Maduro's plans to rewrite the constitution.

The plan announced by National Assembly President Julio Borges is a dramatic escalation of the opposition's effort to fight Maduro's proposal. Borges said that the vote would be held July 16 — two weeks before Maduro is asking Venezuelans to go to the polls to choose delegates for a special assembly to overhaul the charter.

W140 Full Story
Lebanon Sees Tourism Rebound as Turmoil Swallows Region

Beirut's landmark Hamra Street is bustling again and hotel occupancy rates are on the rise as Lebanon's tourism industry rebounds, thanks in no small part to the misfortunes of its Middle East neighbors, engulfed by wars, chaos and political upheaval.

It was just four years ago when Lebanon seemed to be losing its grip on its internal security. The specter of war spilling over from neighboring Syria hung low over the capital and Lebanese proprietors looked longingly to the stability in Turkey and the Gulf region.

W140 Full Story
Iranian President Assails Turkey's Dam Construction Project

Iran's president has assailed a major dam project by Turkey involving the Euphrates and the Tigris River, demanding a halt in the construction.

Hassan Rouhani says the dams would be "dangerous" for the entire Middle East.

W140 Full Story
IS Steps Up Suicide Attacks as Mosul Battle Nears End

The Islamic State group has stepped up suicide attacks as it seeks to hold off Iraqi forces in the final stages of the battle for Mosul, a senior commander said Monday.

More than eight months after the operation to retake Mosul was launched, IS has gone from fully controlling the city to holding a limited area on its western side.

W140 Full Story
Qatar Responds to Demands after Deadline Extended

Qatar on Monday responded to a list of demands from Saudi Arabia and its allies after they agreed to give a defiant Doha another 48 hours to address their grievances.

W140 Full Story
Lebanese Army Rejects Claims of Abusing Syrian Refugees

The Lebanese army has dismissed allegations of abuse against hundreds of Syrian detainees in a security sweep at a refugee settlement near the eastern border town of Arsal, saying the mass detentions were necessary to combat terrorism.

W140 Full Story
UAE Ruler Leaves Country on Private Trip Abroad

The ruler of the United Arab Emirates has left the country on a private trip.

The state-run WAM news agency reported Saturday that Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had traveled abroad. It provided no other details.

W140 Full Story