Analysis As envoys recalled, what's driving Israel-South Africa rupture? South Africa has expelled the Israeli charge d'affaires, deepening the diplomatic crisis between the two countries. 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
Iran blackout enters 12th day as filtered internet reveals crackdown Nearly 4,000 people have been killed in the protests in Iran, as videos emerging amid limited access to internet show the scale of the crackdown launched by security forces. Iran
IRGC to Majlis: Who are central players in Iran's regime? Iran’s political system concentrates ultimate authority in the supreme leader and a network of loyal institutions. Iran
Europe’s top court moves to fast-track Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala's case: What to know Turkey
Analysis Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkish police seize several tons of illegal alcohol High taxes on liquor have created a market for illicit liquor in Turkey and police are cracking down. Turkey
Thefts on rise in Idlib amid rising poverty Hardly a day goes by in Idlib areas without a civilian being robbed of a car, motorcycle or other property, triggering yet more fears and concerns for residents. Syria
Egyptian who ruled in favor of ceding key islands to Saudi Arabia voted parliament speaker Egypt’s parliament elected Hanafy Ali el-Gebaly as its new speaker, raising controversy as Gebaly chaired the Supreme Constitutional Court that validated an agreement under which Egypt agreed to transfer the strategic Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s Netanyahu seeks another delay in corruption trial Lawyers for the prime minister say the latest coronavirus lockdown in Israel has left them unable to prepare for next week's hearing. Israel
Top Turkish court rejects appeal for release of philanthropist Kavala Turkey’s Constitutional Court has rejected an appeal for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, ruling his more than three-year imprisonment without conviction did not violate his rights in contradiction to rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. Turkey
Acquittal in assault of Christian woman casts pall over Christmas for Egypt's Coptic community The acquittal by a Minya court of three defendants who in May 2016 stripped an elderly Christian woman naked and dragged her through the streets of her village has provoked outrage among Christians and rights groups. Egypt
Israeli sex abuse suspect finally to be extradited to Australia Twelve years after she fled to Israel, Malka Leifer is to be extradited to Australia, to stand trial over heavy suspicions of sexual abuse against minors. Originals
Egypt demands Italy hand over ex-officials accused of stealing artifacts The case centers on some 22,000 Egyptian relics, including gold coins, discovered by Italian authorities in 2017. Egypt
Lebanese activist sentenced to prison for collaborating with Israel Kinda El-Khatib, a critic of Hezbollah on social media, was sentenced to three years in prison by a military court. Lebanon
Hezbollah operative receives life sentences for Hariri assassination The Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the Hague had already convicted Salim Jamil Ayyash for involvement in the 2005 car-bomb assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister. Lebanon
Honor killings against women increase in southeast Syrian city Civil activists protested the lack of judiciary against domestic violence and honor killings, launching the hashtag “Our blood is on your hands” and calling on the government to consider honor killings as a crime to prevent the death of more women. Syria
Women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to stand trial in Saudi Arabia Loujain al-Hathloul will appear in a Saudi court Wednesday more than two years after she was first detained in a crackdown on human rights defenders. Saudi Arabia
