Baghdad, Iraq (CNN)Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country's dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight. The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country's top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff's first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. "I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It's a duty," the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the papal plane. "It has been a...…Baghdad, Iraq (CNN)Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country's dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight. The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country's top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff's first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. "I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It's a duty," the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the papal plane. "It has been a...WW…

By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country’s dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight.The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country’s top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff’s first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.“I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It’s a duty,” the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the...…By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country’s dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight.The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country’s top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff’s first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.“I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It’s a duty,” the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — , one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights campaigners, has been released after more than 1,000 days in prison for what critics have described as politically-motivated charges.Hathloul, 31, was arrested in a May 2018 sweep that targeted well-known opponents of the kingdom’s since-rescinded law barring women from driving. She told her family in prison – allegations Riyadh repeatedly denied – and her detention was condemned by the United Nations and global human rights groups.Last December, Riyadh’s Specialized Criminal Court – a...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — , one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights campaigners, has been released after more than 1,000 days in prison for what critics have described as politically-motivated charges.Hathloul, 31, was arrested in a May 2018 sweep that targeted well-known opponents of the kingdom’s since-rescinded law barring women from driving. She told her family in prison – allegations Riyadh repeatedly denied – and her detention was condemned by the United Nations and global human rights groups.Last December, Riyadh’s Specialized Criminal Court – a...WW…

By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Twin suicide bombs rocked a busy market in central Baghdad on Thursday morning, killing at least 32 people and injuring 110 others, according to officials and state media.Security forces say they pursued the two attackers before they blew themselves up. It was the first suicide attack to strike Baghdad in nearly two years.The first bomber entered the marketplace and, pretending to be sick, asked for help, causing people to gather around him before he blew himself up, according to officials and state media. The second bomber then drove to...…By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Twin suicide bombs rocked a busy market in central Baghdad on Thursday morning, killing at least 32 people and injuring 110 others, according to officials and state media.Security forces say they pursued the two attackers before they blew themselves up. It was the first suicide attack to strike Baghdad in nearly two years.The first bomber entered the marketplace and, pretending to be sick, asked for help, causing people to gather around him before he blew himself up, according to officials and state media. The second bomber then drove to...WW…

By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Twin suicide bombs rocked a busy market in central Baghdad on Thursday morning, killing at least 32 people and injuring 110 others, according to officials and state media.Security forces say they pursued the two attackers before they blew themselves up. It was the first suicide attack to strike Baghdad in nearly two years.The first bomber entered the marketplace and, pretending to be sick, asked for help, causing people to gather around him before he blew himself up, according to officials and state media. The second bomber then drove to...…By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Twin suicide bombs rocked a busy market in central Baghdad on Thursday morning, killing at least 32 people and injuring 110 others, according to officials and state media.Security forces say they pursued the two attackers before they blew themselves up. It was the first suicide attack to strike Baghdad in nearly two years.The first bomber entered the marketplace and, pretending to be sick, asked for help, causing people to gather around him before he blew himself up, according to officials and state media. The second bomber then drove to...WW…

(CNN)Iran has unveiled an underground base for "strategic missiles" on its Gulf coastline, according to state media. Video broadcast by state media Friday showed the head of elite Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, touring what appears to be a long underground tunnel lined with missiles and missile launchers. Iran's ballistic missiles arsenal is one of the flashpoints in Tehran's long-running disputes with its Arab neighbors and the United States. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries have called for the curbing of Iran's ballistic weapons, but Iran's leaders have...…(CNN)Iran has unveiled an underground base for "strategic missiles" on its Gulf coastline, according to state media. Video broadcast by state media Friday showed the head of elite Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, touring what appears to be a long underground tunnel lined with missiles and missile launchers. Iran's ballistic missiles arsenal is one of the flashpoints in Tehran's long-running disputes with its Arab neighbors and the United States. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries have called for the curbing of Iran's ballistic weapons, but Iran's leaders have...WW…

(CNN)Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies agreed on Tuesday to restore diplomatic relations with Qatar and restart flights to and from the country, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in mid-2017 after accusing the country of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied the accusations.The boycotting countries, known as the Arab quartet, also cited political differences with Qatar over and the Muslim Brotherhood. Doha, unlike its Gulf neighbors, has friendly relations with Tehran, supported the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and has...…(CNN)Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies agreed on Tuesday to restore diplomatic relations with Qatar and restart flights to and from the country, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in mid-2017 after accusing the country of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied the accusations.The boycotting countries, known as the Arab quartet, also cited political differences with Qatar over and the Muslim Brotherhood. Doha, unlike its Gulf neighbors, has friendly relations with Tehran, supported the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and has...WW…

Beirut, Lebanon (CNN)A Lebanese judge has charged caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with criminal neglect over the that killed more than 200 people this summer.Diab, as well as two former public works ministers and an ex-finance minister, were accused Thursday of criminal neglect "that led to the death and harm of hundreds of people" in the blast on August 4, according to Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency. These are the most high-profile indictments in the investigation of an explosion that was believed to have been caused by the detonation of thousands of...…Beirut, Lebanon (CNN)A Lebanese judge has charged caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with criminal neglect over the that killed more than 200 people this summer.Diab, as well as two former public works ministers and an ex-finance minister, were accused Thursday of criminal neglect "that led to the death and harm of hundreds of people" in the blast on August 4, according to Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency. These are the most high-profile indictments in the investigation of an explosion that was believed to have been caused by the detonation of thousands of...WW…

By , , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — top nuclear scientist was killed Friday in an alleged assassination that the country’s foreign minister linked to Israel.Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, considered one of the masterminds of Iran’s controversial nuclear program, died after his car was apparently ambushed in a district east of Tehran. Photos from the scene showed the shattered windshield of a car, and blood on the road.Iranian state media said the killing appeared to be an assassination. Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami was quoted by Iran’s semi-official news...…By , , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — top nuclear scientist was killed Friday in an alleged assassination that the country’s foreign minister linked to Israel.Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, considered one of the masterminds of Iran’s controversial nuclear program, died after his car was apparently ambushed in a district east of Tehran. Photos from the scene showed the shattered windshield of a car, and blood on the road.Iranian state media said the killing appeared to be an assassination. Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami was quoted by Iran’s semi-official news...WW…

(CNN)The children of slain Saudi journalist have publicly forgiven their father's killers, sparing five government agents the death penalty. , the late Saudi critic's eldest son, posted the pardon in a tweet on Friday. "On this virtuous night of (Ramadan), we recall the words of God Almighty ... whoever pardons and makes reconciliations, his reward is from Allah," read the statement, referring to Laylit el Qader, or the Night of Power, considered by Islam to be the holiest night of the year. "So we, the sons of the martyr Jamal Khashoggi, announce that we have pardoned (those) who killed...…(CNN)The children of slain Saudi journalist have publicly forgiven their father's killers, sparing five government agents the death penalty. , the late Saudi critic's eldest son, posted the pardon in a tweet on Friday. "On this virtuous night of (Ramadan), we recall the words of God Almighty ... whoever pardons and makes reconciliations, his reward is from Allah," read the statement, referring to Laylit el Qader, or the Night of Power, considered by Islam to be the holiest night of the year. "So we, the sons of the martyr Jamal Khashoggi, announce that we have pardoned (those) who killed...WW…