Middle East & North Africa

JERUSALEM, Jan 22 (NNN-PRESS TV) – Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, urged a global “sanction” against the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the wake of a possible war-crime investigation against Israel.

In an interview to be broadcast later today in TBN, the world’s largest Christian Network, Netanyahu hailed U.S. President, Donald Trump, for “forcefully” speaking against the ICC, over its intent to open a war-crime case against Israel’s conduct, in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) said on Wednesday it has agreed with Israel-based Tactical Robotics to explore development of a ducted fan propulsion technology with potential uses for piloted and autonomous light aircraft.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Through a joint working group, the two companies will determine what opportunities may exist in developing, producing and marketing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) products including Tactical Robotics’ own Cormorant autonomous vehicle.

TEHRAN, Jan 22 (NNN-ONA) – Oman Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, arrived in Iran’s capital Tehran on Tuesday, for talks with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, over a number of issues, Khabar Fouri news website reported.

The Omani minister will discuss regional, international and bilateral ties with Zarif, Khabar Fouri said.

Abdullah’s unannounced visit comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

TEHRAN, Jan 22 (NNN-PRESS TV) – Iran asked the French and U.S. accident investigation agencies, the BEA and NTSB respectively, for the equipment to decode the black box of the crashed Ukrainian plane.

The latest report by Iran’s civil aviation agency noted that, two Tor-M1 missiles were fired at the airliner from the north, and how the projectiles contributed to the crash were still under investigation.

BEIRUT, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced on Tuesday the formation of a new cabinet of 20 ministers around one month following his appointment, local TV channel LBCI reported.

"The new cabinet will exert all its efforts to save Lebanon. We ask the Lebanese expatriates and all citizens to contribute in saving the country and restoring its prosperity," Diab said during a speech from Baabda Palace.

21 Jan 2019; MEMO: Iran has expressed its intention to file charges against the US President Donald Trump at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague over the January 3 assassination of its top commander Qassem Soleimani.

“We intend to file lawsuits in the Islamic Republic, Iraq and The Hague Court against the military and government of America and against Trump,” Iran’s judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Esmaeili, said during a press conference last week.

21 Jan 2019; MEMO: Iran said on Monday it could quit the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if European countries refer it to the UN Security Council over a nuclear agreement, a move that would overturn diplomacy in its confrontation with the West, reports Reuters.

BAGHDAD, Jan 21 (NNN-NINA) – Three demonstrators were killed and dozens of protesters and security members wounded, in Baghdad and other cities, as anti-government protests flared over corruption, lack of jobs and public services, a Ministry official said.

“The latest reports showed that, three demonstrators, including civil society activist, Yousif Sattar, were killed and up to 54 demonstrators wounded and suffocated,” the official said.

CAIRO, January 21. /TASS/: No one was injured in the shelling of Baghdad's Green Zone, Al Hadath TV channel reported on Tuesday.

Earlier reports said that three missiles exploded late Monday near the building of the US Embassy in Baghdad. According to latest reports, the missiles were launched from a south-eastern neighborhood of Baghdad. Material damage was sustained as a result of the shelling.

During the shelling, air raid sirens went off at the US Embassy. US Air Force helicopters were dispatched.

TEHRAN, Jan 21(NNN-ISNA) – Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif will not attend the 2020 World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland this week, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi announced on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, Mousavi said Zarif was scheduled to attend the Davos meeting, but “they abruptly changed the schedule despite the primary planning and the official invitation.”

Therefore, Zarif will not participate in the forum in Davos, the spokesman said.