US deploys 1,000 more troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions

Egypt's Morsi buried east of Cairo amid tight security

Iran to surpass uranium stockpile deal limit from June 27

Pressure builds on Hong Kong leader as activist vows to join protests

Sudan's Bashir in 1st appearance since April

Israel launches 'Trump Heights' on Golan

EU cannot be fair, impartial on Cyprus issue: Turkish Cyprus

Turkish Cyprus on June 16 slammed an EU summit declaration, saying the bloc "cannot be fair and impartial" on the Cyprus issue, reported local media.

Israeli PM's wife sentenced for misusing state funds

A Jerusalem magistrate court on June 16 sentenced Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to pay a fine of more than $15,000 for misusing state funds. The sentencing comes after she agreed to a plea bargain that ended the years-long saga of just one of the high-profile corruption cases involving the prime minister's family.

Iran hints US could be behind 'suspicious' tanker attacks

Iran's parliament speaker hinted on June 16 that Washington could be behind the "suspicious" tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman to pile pressure on Tehran, official news agency IRNA reported.    

Massive demonstration chokes Hong Kong as extradition anger boils

Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in central Hong Kong on June 16 against a reviled extradition law, the latest huge demonstration to pile pressure on the city's embattled leader, despite her weekend climbdown.

Hong Kong leader halts extradition bill but opponents vow fresh rally

Hong Kong’s embattled leader on June 15 suspended a hugely divisive bill that would allow extraditions to China, in a major climbdown following unprecedented unrest, but protesters vowed to press ahead with a mass June 16 rally.

US extends Iraq's waiver on Iran gas import

The United States has allowed Iraq to import Iranian gas for its power grid for another three months by extending a waiver to U.S. sanctions for Baghdad, two government sources said on June 15.

Chinese President Xi celebrates birthday with Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated his 66th birthday on June 15 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who Xi considers a close friend and who gave Xi ice cream as a present, Chinese state media reported.

Father’s Day comes with grief to Palestinian children

While Father’s Day brings joy to millions of children worldwide, the occasion comes with grief to thousands of Palestinian children, who lost their fathers during the Palestinian intifada (uprising) against the decades-long Israeli occupation.

Turkish culture festival kicks off in Moscow

A Turkish festival kicked off in the Russian capital on June 14.

Sarah Sanders leaving White House job, returning to Arkansas

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, whose tenure was marked by a breakdown in regular press briefings and questions about the administration's credibility, as well as her own, will leave her post at the end of the month, President Donald Trump announced.

Anger as Christchurch mosque accused pleads not guilty

The man accused of shooting dead 51 Muslim worshippers in the Christchurch mosque attacks in March smiled on June 14 as his lawyers entered not guilty pleas to multiple murder and terrorism charges.

Iran denies tankers attack as tensions soar

Iran dismissed as "baseless" on June 14 U.S. accusations that it carried out twin attacks that left two tankers ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions across the region and sending world oil prices soaring.