Rt news middle east

Here are the latest news updates from the Middle East:

Breaking News

• Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for the execution of those involved in the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. (Source: Al Jazeera)
• The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will grant citizenship to children of foreign nationals who were born in the country. (Source: The National)
• The Israeli military has launched airstrikes on targets in the Gaza Strip, in response to rocket fire from Palestinian militants. (Source: Reuters)

Top Stories

• The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran's supreme leader and other top officials, in response to the country's nuclear program. (Source: CNN)
• The Syrian government has announced that it will hold presidential elections in May, with President Bashar al-Assad expected to run for re-election. (Source: BBC)
• The Israeli government has approved a plan to build thousands of new homes in the occupied West Bank, despite international criticism. (Source: Haaretz)

Regional Developments

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced that it will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in the region, following the assassination of the Iranian scientist. (Source: Gulf News)
• The Egyptian government has announced that it will hold a referendum on a new constitution, which is expected to give more power to the president. (Source: Al Ahram)
• The Turkish government has announced that it will send troops to Libya to support the country's government, which is facing a rebellion. (Source: Anadolu Agency)

Humanitarian Crisis

• The United Nations has warned that the situation in Yemen is "catastrophic" and that millions of people are at risk of famine and disease. (Source: UN News)
• The International Committee of the Red Cross has announced that it will provide aid to thousands of people displaced by fighting in Syria. (Source: ICRC)
• The World Health Organization has announced that it will provide aid to countries in the region affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: WHO)

Economy

• The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will launch a new cryptocurrency, the "EmCash", which will be used to pay for government services. (Source: The National)
• The Saudi government has announced that it will increase its spending on infrastructure projects, in an effort to boost the economy. (Source: Reuters)
• The Israeli government has announced that it will provide financial support to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: Haaretz)