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Palestinians mark Nakba amid mass displacement in Gaza and West Bank

Palestinians on Wednesday commemorated their displacement during the creation of Israel, saying that history was being repeated today in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza and an aid blockade threatens famine, while Israeli leaders continue to express a desire to empty the territory of Palestinians as part of the war sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the West Bank, too, occupied since 1967, Israeli forces have displaced tens of thousands from refugee camps as part of a major military operation.

Palestinians wave national flags as they commemorate the 77th anniversary of the "Nakba" in the city of Ramallah

Trump announces big Boeing order for Qatar Airways

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Qatar Airways had placed a "record" order for 160 planes from Boeing, as he signed a raft of deals in Doha alongside Qatar's emir.

The order, Boeing's largest ever for its wide-body jets, deepens ties between the US aerospace giant and the giant Middle East carrier.

Qatar Airways will honour a "$96 billion agreement to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines," according to a White House fact sheet.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg sits to the left of US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) during a business deal signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Doha, on May 14, 2025

Turkey eyes legal steps after Kurdish militant group PKK disbands

After the decision by the Kurdish militant group PKK to disband, Turkey was eyeing Wednesday a raft of legal and technical measures to ensure its full implementation and finally end a four-decade insurgency.

Monday's announcement sought to draw a line under a bloody chapter that began in 1984 when the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) took up arms, triggering a conflict that cost more than 40,000 lives.

"What matters most is the implementation," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday, pledging to "meticulously monitor whether the promises are kept".

PKK head Murat Karayılan announcing the party's dissolution at an undisclosed location in northern Iraq

Fresh gunbattles rock Libya capital after brief lull

Fresh gunbattles erupted on Wednesday in the Libyan capital between two powerful armed groups, a security official said, a day after authorities declared the fighting over.

Clashes flared between the Radaa force and the 444 Brigade in key areas of the city, including the port, the source said.

Fighting eased towards the end of the day, according to television reports and residents who spoke to AFP, with some bakeries opening but schools remaining shut.

Burnt cars line a street in Tripoli following renewed clashes in Libya's capital

Trump says expects Iran diplomacy will 'work out'

US President Donald Trump voiced hope on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts would succeed on Iran's nuclear programme, even as he vowed rigorous enforcement of sanctions.

Trump, on his first visit to the Middle East since returning to the White House, said he spoke about Iran with the leader of Qatar, which maintains relations with both longtime adversaries.

"It's been really an interesting situation. I have a feeling it's going to work out," Trump said of Iran after talks with the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani listens to US President Donald Trump at the Royal Palace in Doha

'No more empty statements:' Iran ex-detainees press Sweden over death row academic

Over 20 foreign nationals who themselves endured years of captivity in Iran on Wednesday urged Sweden to step up efforts to free a Swedish-Iranian citizen sentenced to death in the country, after he had a heart attack last week.

Ahmadreza Djalali, an academic who was sentenced to death in 2017 on espionage charges he denies, suffered a heart attack in Tehran's Evin prison, his wife said Friday.

The letter says Ahmadreza Djalali is in a 'dire' condition after a heart attack

Syrians hail lifting of US sanctions as start of 'new era'

The sound of fireworks and applause rang out in Syria's major cities overnight, as Syrians celebrated US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the devastated country.

In Syria's second city Aleppo, dozens of men, women and children took to the central Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, waving the new Syrian flag and singing.

Hours earlier in Riyadh, Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria, as the country seeks to rebuild after the December ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad.

Syrians celebrate President Donald Trump's announcement that he will lift US sanctions on the war-battered country.

Gaza rescuers say 80 killed in Israeli strikes amid hostage release talks

Gaza rescuers said at least 80 people were killed in Israeli bombardment across the Palestinian territory on Wednesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to US envoy Steve Witkoff about the release of hostages.

Negotiations for the release of the captives held in Gaza have been ongoing, with the latest talks taking place in the Qatari capital Doha, where US President Donald Trump was visiting on Wednesday.

Netanyahu's office said the premier had discussed with Witkoff and his negotiating team "the issue of the hostages and the missing".

Palestinian children check the site of an Israeli strike in Jabalia

Human Rights Watch warns of migrant worker deaths in 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday said abuses were being committed on giant construction sites in Saudi Arabia and warned of the risks to migrant workers building stadiums for the 2034 World Cup.

HRW said "scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia die in gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents, including falling from buildings, electrocution, and even decapitation".

An artist's illustration of King Khalid University stadium in Abha in Saudi Arabia, one of the proposed venues for the 2034 World Cup

Trump presses Syria leader on Israel ties after lifting sanctions

US President Donald Trump landed in Doha Wednesday after visiting Riyadh, where he urged Syria's president to normalise with Israel after offering a major boost to the war-ravaged country by vowing to lift sanctions.

Trump became the first US president in 25 years to meet a Syrian leader -- Ahmed al-Sharaa, an erstwhile Islamist guerrilla and onetime jihadist who had been on a US wanted list and led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman watches as US President Donald Trump (C) shakes hands with Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh