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
Analysis Protests across Israel against judicial reform rattle Netanyahu Facing American warnings and mass demonstrations across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may find it impossible to continue with his judicial overhaul. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Top Israeli court ruling forces Netanyahu to sack ally The Supreme Court left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu little choice but to fire his longtime ally Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. Israel
Protests in Israel as Supreme Court tells Netanyahu to fire minister Hundreds of supportive Shas party members are gathered outside the home of Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, calling to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that his prior convictions bar his appointment. Israel
European investigative team in Lebanon starts probe into Riad Salameh French Judge Aude Buresi is leading the European delegation, and was scheduled to interview at least 15 bankers and business figures in the country tied to Salameh. Lebanon
Israel faces internal threat in Netanyahu’s judicial reforms After warning from Israel’s top opposition leaders, President of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut warns that the Netanyahu government judicial reform could crush Israel’s democracy. Israel
Netanyahu’s judicial reform push bolsters opposition Dormant since the Nov. 1 electoral defeat, Israel’s opposition is now rallying against the new government's judicial reform plans. Israel
Netanyahu’s judicial reform threatens Israeli democracy With Justice Minister Yariv levin promoting a reform to erode the courts’ responsibility, and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promoting a law for convicted Aryeh Deri to serve as minister, Israel’s democracy is facing an existential danger. Israel
Crisis imminent as Netanyahu’s far-right partners set to govern West Bank By handing over responsibilities for administrating lives in the West Bank to his far-right partners, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is playing with fire on the international arena. Israel
US says Saudi Arabia's MBS has immunity in Khashoggi lawsuit The Biden administration says Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman should be immune from a US lawsuit holding him responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Saudi Arabia
More prisoners released in Egypt ahead of national dialogue A number of political detainees have been released in preparation for the start of a comprehensive dialogue between the government and the opposition. Egypt
Iran revokes death penalties handed to three protesters The executions were reduced to jail terms in a controversial case that had drawn a furious public backlash. Iran
Culture Egyptian court wants killer executed on live TV An Egyptian court has asked that the execution of a man who stabbed a student to death be broadcast on television. Egypt
