Erdogan aide named suspect in Turkey financial scandal Former AKP deputy chairwoman Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya is facing allegations of being linked to a market manipulation scandal. Turkey
Culture Syria's Kurds, Arabs find common cause in battle for language rights As Kurdish students protest language restrictions, unexpected alliances are emerging between Syria’s Kurds and Arabs. Syria
Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud. Syria
Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third. Turkey
US unveils Caesar sanctions on Syrian money service businesses The sanctions targeting a pair of money service businesses are the administration’s second use of the bipartisan Caesar Act. Syria
Iran, Belgium complete prisoner swap mediated by Oman Belgian national Olivier Vandecasteele was released from prison in Iran in an Oman-mediated exchange deal. Iran
Syria's Assad accuses France of 'hysteria' for calling to put him on trial Damascus is furious after French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said she thinks Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should stand trial for his role in the Syrian war. Syria
Israel hands over Jordanian MP to home authorities Israel agreed to release Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan and send him back home, as long as Jordan pledged to continue investigation against him on suspicion of multiple smuggling incidents. Israel
Palestinian Khader Adnan dies in Israeli jail after 87-day hunger strike Rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip after Palestinian Khader Adnan died on hunger strike in Israel's Nitzan prison. Israel
Israeli court extends detention of Jordanian lawmaker The decision of the Israeli court to extend the detention of Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan could signal that the affair could take time to be resolved. Israel
McCarthy to invite Israel's Netanyahu to Washington if Biden doesn't In his first abroad as speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy criticized President Joe Biden for not yet inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Israel
Analysis Israel’s Netanyahu sinks in polls as Gantz, Bennett jockey to replace him Public opinion indicates the life expectancy of Israel’s current government could shorten, with former Defense Minister Benny Gantz and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vying to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis Israel's Netanyahu backed into corner as far-right demonstration backfires A new poll shows a dramatic decline in support for the governing coalition as competing protests in Israel contribute to the chaos. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Belgium looking into Iran's request for prisoner swap Belgium and Iran seemingly advance toward a prisoner exchange deal, though Brussels is warning that contrary to Tehran’s statements this could take time. Iran
Germany scrambles to stop Iran from executing dual citizen After a top Iranian court upheld the death sentence of dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, German Foreign Minister Annalean Baerbock says Berlin is making every possible effort to stop the execution. Iran
EU slaps Captagon sanctions on relatives of Syria's Assad The European Union adopted new restrictive measures today against Syrian individuals and entities accused of trafficking narcotics and supporting the oppressive Syrian government. Syria
