Analysis Trump’s intervention fuels debate in Israel: Will Netanyahu accept plea deal or pardon? Many in Israel were stunned when President Donald Trump slammed the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called it a "witch hunt." By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Lebanon arrests fmr economy minister Amin Salam on embezzlement charges The arrest comes nearly a year after the former central bank chief was arrested on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, among other things. Lebanon
EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know The changes to the list are still pending approval from EU member states and the European Parliament, likely within the next month. United Arab Emirates
Pentagon formally accepts Qatar’s luxury megajet for Trump: What to know Qatar's offer to provide the US president with $400 million aircraft is likely to reinforce Democratic opposition to recently announced major arms sales to the Gulf kingdom. United States
Analysis Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Cocaine video scandal deals blow to Turkey's ruling party A video that emerged of a member of Turkey's ruling AKP doing cocaine has stirred controversy, but it remains to be seen if the damage will be lasting. Turkey
Lebanon's Salameh threatens to sue Bloomberg over sanctions report Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the United States is considering sanctions on Lebanon’s central bank chief, Riad Salameh. Business
Libyan interim government formation stumbles on bribery allegations Before even taking office, Libya’s interim government could soon be hit with a bribery scandal as the UN experts panel prepares to publish its findings. Libya
Rights group accuses Palestinian Authority of vaccine corruption The Ramallah-based Independent Commission for Human Rights said the Palestinian Authority is giving out vaccine doses based on personal relationships and not medical need. Palestine
Netanyahu’s fate to be determined by COVID-19, not corruption trial Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears failure in dealing with Israel's coronavirus pandemic even more than his corruption trial. Israel
Iraqi port revenue surges as anti-corruption move bears fruit Iraq’s key Umm Qasr Port has been positively affected by measures to reduce corruption, leading to a massive revenue increase in 2020 despite fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for the massive, nearby Faw Port and an electronic system being put in place may also serve to shore up state coffers and reduce those of “outlaw” groups. Iraq
Egyptian man in Cairo's Tahrir Square sets himself on fire The incident took place at the rallying point for Egypt's 2011 revolution. Egypt
Demands for payment from tribes, militias stalling investment in Iraq Economic projects in Iraq are facing major setbacks due to ongoing payment demands from tribes and armed groups. Iraq
Ex-Ninevah governor arrested as Iraqi government reins in corruption The arrest and forced removal of Iraqi government officials signals attempts to curb rampant corruption that has plagued the country. Iraq
France’s Sarkozy charged in Libya campaign funding probe Prosecutors are investigating whether the former French president received illegal campaign financing from Moammar Gadhafi's regime. Libya
Iraqi cleric pushes for elections, new social contract, in support of prime minister Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraqioun parliamentary bloc and Hikma movement, is seeking to chart a nonsectarian alternative to the existing political structure. Iraq
Submarine scandal keeps haunting Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not indicted in the submarine affair, but many Israelis are demanding that the case be further investigated. Israel
