Middle East

‘Stop whitewashing history!’ Thousands sign petition to stop Leonardo DiCaprio from playing Rumi

A petition to stop Leonardo DiCaprio from playing Persian poet Rumi in an upcoming biopic is gaining traction online, as thousands of supporters urge the Islamic scholar be played by a Middle Eastern actor. The petition calls the casting choice proposed by the film’s screenwriter and producer “both ludicrous and offensive,” and says by starring

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International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Benghazi GOP lawmakers say Hillary Clinton created conditions for attack

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ignored repeated warnings of what one security agent called their “suicide mission” in Benghazi, creating the opportunity that terrorists took on Sept. 11, 2012, to kill the ambassador to Libya, two Republicans on the Benghazi probe charged Tuesday. As the Select Committee on Benghazi releases its long-awaited report, two

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Middle East, USA

Bomb Blasts Rock Istanbul Airport, Killing 28: Report

Updated | Istanbul’s governor said 28 people have died and 60 more were injured after two bomb blasts rocked Istanbul’s Atatürk airport late Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. This number of casualties is revised up from a statement from Turkey’s Justice Ministe Bekir Bozdag, who hours before had said 10 people had died and

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International, Middle East

Hillary’s VP possibles support Israel, not so sure about its PM

WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton’s search for a running mate will entail a lot of considerations: Who will help her energize Democratic voters? Who will help her win over progressives loyal to Bernie Sanders? Who will help her broaden her appeal to independents over Donald Trump? But, another question remains: How will she be thinking about

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Middle East, USA

Jewish Home ministers to vote against Turkey reconciliation

Jewish Home ministers will oppose the landmark rapprochement deal between Israel and Turkey when it comes to a vote on Wednesday, the party said in a statement Tuesday. Party chair and Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked will vote against the deal in the high-level security cabinet over their opposition to compensation

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Middle East

Middle East Roundup: June 28, 2016

  Israel-Turkey deal paves way for boost in commerce and tourism (JNS.org) The reconciliation deal between Israel and Turkey will likely boost commercial activity between the two countries. Uri Aldubi, chairman of the Association of Oil and Gas Exploration Industries in Israel, told Israel Hayom on Monday that the deal “creates a historic opportunity to

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Middle East

Turkey and Israel to reappoint ambassadors on Tuesday, premier says

Istanbul (dpa) – Turkey and Israel will reappoint ambassadors on Tuesday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says, after the two sides reached a deal to restore diplomatic relations. The prime minister also announced that a Turkish ship carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip will depart for the Israeli port of Ashdod on Friday, the

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International, Middle East

Lebanon: Suicide Bombs Kill Five in Christian Village

Several suicide bombers attacked and detonated explosives in a northeastern Christian Lebanese town on Monday, killing at least five people as the instability from neighboring Syria continues to spill over into the country. The attack on the Christian village of Qaa near the Syrian border also wounded 15 people, according to the state-run National News

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Middle East