Turkey's opposition elects acting mayor as Imamoglu remains detained, protests persist The Turkish president accuses opposition of sabotaging the economy amid ongoing detentions against protestors over the arrest of the Istanbul mayor. Turkey
Canceled Syrian justice workshop sparks repression fears: What to know Syrian civil society organizations condemned the sudden cancelation of a planned workshop on transitional justice in Damascus, calling it an act of oppression reminiscent of the Assad era. Syria
Feature Christians in Syria hopeful but wary of Sharaa’s intentions Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to reassure minorities their rights will be protected under the new government. But not all Christians are convinced by his message of inclusivity. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
After raid, Israel puts Jerusalem bookshop owners under house arrest: What to know Israeli police raided the Educational Bookshop on Sunday and arrested its owners on charges of “disturbing public order,” a move met with outcry by diplomats. Israel
Analysis Kuwait's citizenship law changes reflect growing restrictions under new emir By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Analysis Post Oct. 7 Israel: Divided, veering right and embracing Jewish identity By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis How far will Israel's justice minister go in reviving polarizing judicial overhaul? By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Lapid marks Holocaust Remembrance Day at camp where grandfather killed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid visited the Austrian Mauthausen concentration camp on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, while Knesset Speaker Mickey levy addressed the German Bundestag in Hebrew. Israel
Sudanese public widely rejects new UN initiative A number of Sudan's major civilian groups have shown skepticism toward UN efforts to help. Egypt
Arab-Israeli city takes battle against violence into its own hands Tired of rising violence and police helplessness, the municipality of Umm al-Fahm presents its own plan to combat crime and decrease social tensions. Israel
UN adopts historic Israeli-sponsored resolution to combat Holocaust denial Israeli leaders expressed satisfaction over the UN General Assembly approving an Israeli-initiated resolution against Holocaust denial. Israel
Calls across political spectrum to probe Israel Police Pegasus spyware misuse Knesset members from across the political spectrum are calling for an official probe over publications that police had used the spyware Pegasus to hack phones of citizens without prior court order. Israel
Egyptian rights group suspends operations after 'hostile' targeting of staff The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said the decision to close its doors came after "many strenuous attempts to continue to operate, despite the difficult conditions.” Egypt
Israel greenlights surrogacy for same-sex couples, single men In a historic move, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced last week that as of Jan. 11, surrogacy procedures will be open for everyone in the country, same-sex couples, single men and transgender people included. Israel
Economic meltdown revives forgotten occupations in Lebanon Occupations that disappeared over time, most notably that of cobbler and tailor, have been revived due to the decline in citizens’ purchasing power. Lebanon
Netherlands cuts funding to Palestinian group blacklisted by Israel The decision came despite the fact that a Dutch government audit determined the Union of Agricultural Work Committees had no "organizational ties" to a Palestinian terrorist group. Israel
Israeli ultra-Orthodox society breaks silence on sexual abuse The apparent suicide of popular writer Chaim Walder, suspected of years-long sexual abuse, may generate a real change inside the ultra-Orthodox society and break the code of silence. Israel
Egyptian Parliament reopens debate on Quran's place in curriculum When the Egyptian Parliament recently considered a bill intended to support the use of Standard Arabic, the discussion grew heated between a a representative of Al-Azhar and a parliamentarian who objected to provisions about Quran memorization in primary school. Egypt
Israel's Yesh Atid party opens branches in Arab towns The major coalition party has opened a branch in the Arab town of Mi’ilya in the latest effort to build its presence among Arab-Israelis. Israel
