Middle East

Terry Anderson (1947–2024), reporter held hostage in Lebanon

Terry Anderson was an Associated Press reporter who was held hostage in Lebanon by Islamic militants for nearly seven years from 1985 to 1991.

Qaboos bin Said (1940–2020), peacemaking Sultan of Oman

Qaboos bin Said was the sultan of Oman, who built his country into a developed nation and became known as a peacemaker who helped mediate talks between countries including the U.S. and Iran. When Qaboos took power in 1970 after a bloodless coup against his father, Oman was an impoverished nation, far behind the developed world in education, health care, infrastructure, and other key areas. Qaboos used the country’s oil revenues to modernize it, building schools, hospitals, and roads and creating a thriving economy. As Sultan, Qaboos abolished slavery, gave women the vote, and began appointing women to ministry positions. He was the longest-serving leader in the Arab world.

Emily Nasrallah (1931 – 2018), Lebanese author and women’s rights activist

Goethe medal award winner…

Istanbul Bombing Victims

At least 38 people have died, and 155 were wounded in a pair of bombing attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, according to government officials as reported by CNN.

Ronit Elkabetz (1964 - 2016), award-winning Israeli actress

Ronit Elkabetz, an award-winning Israeli actress, screenwriter, and director, died April 19 of cancer in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to Variety and multiple other news sources. She was 51.

Refugee Drowning Victims

At least 34 people died Tuesday by drowning off the coast of Turkey. They were refugees attempting to leave Turkey and travel to Greece. Their two boats capsized in the rough waters of the Aegean Sea. At least three children were among the 34.

Tragedies That Went Under the Radar

2015 was a year of horrific tragedy, as attacks in Paris, Beirut, Niger, Baghdad and elsewhere left hundreds dead or wounded.

Amman, Jordan, Shooting Victims

A Jordanian policeman opened fire Monday on foreign trainers at a police compound, killing two Americans and a South African before being shot dead, the government spokesman said, according to The Associated Press as well as CNN. Two American citizens and four Jordanians were wounded in the shooting at the police training center, which is on the outskirts of the Jordanian capital, Mohammed Momani told the state news agency Petra. He said one of the wounded is in critical condition. Momani portrayed the shooting as a "crime" and said an investigation has been launched.

A Global Tribute for Aylan Kurdi

Though they never met 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi in person, people across the globe are mourning his death.

Peter Jennings: The Big Moments

As the anchor of ABC's World News Tonight from 1983 until his death in 2005, Canadian journalist Peter Jennings was there for millennial America's biggest stories.

Thor Heyerdahl, Adventurer

In a time when the age of adventurers seemed long past, Thor Heyerdahl became one anyway.