Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged lawmakers to “co-operate” with his government in a speech yesterday during the inaugural session of the new parliament following a February election swept by conservatives.

Iran's parliament reconvened on Wednesday after the Feb. 21 elections under strict health protocols and social distancing rules to ward off the coronavirus in one of the hardest-hit Middle Eastern countries.

Houthi fighters in Yemen fired missiles at a military base of the Saudi-backed government in Marib province, northeast of the capital Sanaa, on Tuesday, killing seven people including relatives of the chief of staff, three military sources said.

Iran further eased restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus yesterday by allowing restaurants to accept customers, as it announced another 57 deaths from the virus.

Muslims around the world began marking a sombre Eid al-Fitr yesterday, many under coronavirus lockdown, but lax restrictions offered respite to worshippers in some countries despite fears of skyrocketing infections.

Iranians in a rare event mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan this year on separate days — yesterday or today — depending on different religious authorities’ edicts.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry reported 838 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) overnight for a total of 21,302 cases.

Temitope can’t find work in Lebanon since the Nigerian domestic worker escaped her employer’s house last month.

Iran on Saturday moved to open businesses, religious and cultural sites as it eases restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran’s Supreme Leader yesterday denounced Israel as a “tumour” to be removed and hailed Tehran’s supply of arms to Palestinians, drawing swift condemnation from the United States, European Union and Israel.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has warned that Israeli annexations in the occupied West Bank would spell the end of all security co-ordination, as international opposition to the plans grows.

At a soccer stadium in Syria’s Idlib re-purposed to shelter people displaced by war, children are being offered a service highly sought after since the coronavirus pandemic set in: a haircut.