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Israel City's Bid to Honor Umm Kulthum Stirs Anger

She was one of the Arab world's most revered singers, praised by Bob Dylan and sampled by Beyonce: the late Egyptian legend Umm Kulthum seems worthy of having a street named in her honor.

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Saudis Strive to Prevent Virus Outbreak in Curtailed Hajj

Pilgrims were quarantined Tuesday in the Muslim holy city of Mecca ahead of the dramatically downsized hajj as Saudi authorities strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.

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Third Iraq Protester Dies of Tear Gas Canister Wound this Week

An Iraqi protester died Tuesday after being shot with a tear gas canister in overnight skirmishes with police in the capital, medical and security sources told AFP.

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Two Baghdad Protesters Dead after Clashes with Police

Two demonstrators died in Baghdad early on Monday after being shot with tear gas canisters in confrontations with security forces, medics said, the first victims of protest-related violence under Iraq's new premier.

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Tunisia Interior Minister Named New PM

Tunisia's interior minister Hichem Mechichi has been appointed to form the next government, the president's office said, amid political tensions among major parties in the North African country.

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Jordan to Reopen to 'Low Risk' Countries in August

Jordan will reopen its airports to commercial flights next month after a near five-month shutdown imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, an official said Sunday.

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Growing Israel Protest Movement Calls for Netanyahu to Go

"We won't leave until Bibi leaves." Israel's struggle to contain the coronavirus has stirred deep-seated resentment towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and protests demanding his resignation are growing by the week. 

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8 Dead, 19 Hurt in Blast in Syrian Border Town

A bomb that exploded Sunday morning in a vegetable market in a north Syrian border town controlled by Turkey-backed opposition fighters killed eight and wounding 19, an opposition war monitor and the state news agency reported.

The blast scorched market stalls and scattered produce in the town of Ras al-Ayn along the border with Turkey.

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Libya Govt. Disavows Visit by French Uprising Champion

Libya's U.N.-recognized government has disavowed a visit by French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, a champion of the 2011 ouster of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi whose standing has plummeted since the uprising.

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Thousands Demand Netanyahu Resign over Virus Handling

Thousands of Israelis have protested in Jerusalem and other cities including Tel Aviv, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation over his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

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