Iraq arrests deputy oil minister in anti-corruption push The arrest of Adnan al-Jumaili marks a second signification step against corruption by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s government amid growing pressure from the Trump administration. Iraq
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? Six months before Israel's next elections, opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have decided to run on one anti-Netanyahu ticket. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rifaat al-Assad, perpetrator of Syria's 1982 Hama massacre, dies at 88 Known for his role in the 1982 Hama massacre, the late member of Syria’s former ruling family oversaw the killing of tens of thousands of civilians. Syria
Analysis After Trump’s pardon letter to Herzog, 4 scenarios emerge for Netanyahu’s trial President Donald Trump again asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been on trial for over five years. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Trump’s intervention fuels debate in Israel: Will Netanyahu accept plea deal or pardon? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Double trouble: Lebanon’s Salameh gets second arrest warrant from Germany Riad Salameh is under increased scrutiny in Europe on suspicions of money laundering at a time Lebanon is grappling with a deteriorating financial and economic crisis. Lebanon
How much trouble is Lebanon's Riad Salameh in after Interpol's red notice? Days earlier, the French judiciary issued an international arrest warrant for Riad Salameh after he failed to show up at a hearing in Paris over his alleged involvement in an embezzlement case. Lebanon
France seeks arrest of Lebanon's Riad Salameh after no-show for corruption probe Riad Salameh, 72 years old, is currently being probed by Lebanese authorities and European countries including Switzerland over alleged money laundering. Lebanon
Lebanon’s angry depositors demand their money back from banks Bank depositors staged a sit-in in Beirut to protest the banks' illegal policies imposed on their deposits amid a stifling economic crisis. Lebanon
Lebanon's finance minister questioned by European investigators In a first, Lebanese Finance Minster Youssef Khalil was questioned today in the case against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and his brother, who are accused of embezzlement. Lebanon
Who is Lebanon's Ghada Aoun, maverick judge fired amid anti-corruption efforts? The Lebanese judiciary’s disciplinary council expelled Judge Ghada Aoun from office over “legal violations.” Aoun has become widely known for her cases against prominent officials and politicians in the country. Lebanon
US urges to elect a president in Lebanon 'free of corruption' The State Department appeal comes as Lebanese politicians fail to address the country's economic crisis. Lebanon
Who are the UK-convicted couriers smuggling $130 million to UAE? The announcement from police of the bust in the UK follows the UAE government's efforts to combat money laundering in the country. Legacy: Gulf
Lebanon: US senators call for electing president 'accountable to the people' Leading US senators accuse Hezbollah and its allies of orchestrating the political deadlock in Lebanon. Lebanon
Lebanon raises minimum wage from $27 to $92 a month Hundreds of retired soldiers protested outside government headquarters as the Cabinet discussed an increase in public sector salaries. Lebanon
South Africa to appeal UAE ruling against extradition of Gupta brothers The UAE said on April 7 that South Africa's extradition request did not meet legal documentation standards and that the two brothers wanted for money laundering and fraud would be released from custody. Legacy: Gulf
US slaps sanctions on two brothers in Lebanon for corruption As Lebanon's economy deteriorated, the US Treasury said Lebanese businessmen Raymond Zina Rahme and Teddy Zina Rahme profited from public corruption. Lebanon
