Grenade attack on IRGC kills 2 in Iran’s Kurdistan province: What to know The deadly assault comes amid recurring tensions and clashes in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western region. Iran
In a first, ICC convicts Sudanese militia leader of Darfur war crimes Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. Sudan
Syria's parliamentary elections: First Jewish candidate in 58 years enters race Syria is holding its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime, with a Jewish candidate running for the first time in decades in a vote conducted largely through indirect selection rather than a direct public ballot. Syria
Pentagon pushes to accelerate ISIS detainee repatriations from Syria Uncertainty about Syria’s long-term stability and the the US military’s future presence in the country have increased urgency among some Pentagon officials to further reduce the population of nearly 30,000 suspected ISIS-associated detainees in the camps. Syria
Israel's Christians horrified by hate crimes in Jerusalem Verbal and physical attacks are rising against Christians and Christian sites in Jerusalem. Israel
Turkey recovers 1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible in smuggling raids The 28-page leather-bound collection of papyrus scripture was seized during Turkey's latest smuggling crackdown in Istanbul. Turkey
Analysis Will Israel recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara? Visiting Rabat officially for the first time, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering recognizing the kingdom’s sovereignty over the disputed region. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis One year on, Algeria-Spain blockade shows little sign of easing Since Algeria imposed trade sanctions on Spain on June 8, 2022, both economies have lost out on billions of dollars in business. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Christians in Jordan welcome progress on inheritance law Experts say the Jordanian Civil Code must differentiate between Christians and Muslims, so that the recent draft law on equal inheritance between female and male Christians can be implemented without controversies. By Rana Husseini
Israeli-Palestinian violence erupts in West Bank on eve of Flag March The clashes in the Palestinian city follow a cease-fire between the Israeli military and Gaza-based armed groups and come ahead of the controversial Jerusalem Flag March. Palestine
Iraqi division intensifies between church, Christian Babylon Movement The institutional Iraqi church and the Christian political party of Babylon are feuding over the leadership of Christian affairs in Iraq. Iraq
Tunisia: Attack on Djerba synagogue was premeditated by national guard member Tunisia’s interior minister identified the assailant and revealed details of the attack at an ancient synagogue on the island of Djerba that killed at least five people. Tunisia
Shooting attack in Tunisia synagogue kills at least four Tunisian authorities are now investigating the attack on the ancient El-Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba, where two guards and two Jewish visitors were shot and killed. North Africa Pulse
UN Security Council invites Pope Francis, Al-Azhar imam for joint speech In a first, the world’s two most prominent religious leaders are expected to deliver a joint speech on peace at the UN Security Council at a time when wars and conflicts are raging across the world. Egypt
Turkey bans Armenian Genocide commemoration ahead of May elections The Istanbul governor has blocked the commemoration of the 1915 atrocities amid reactions to the opposition leader’s proclamation of his Alevi roots. Turkey
Turkey's Kilicdaroglu garners record attention in Alevi video Turkish presidential candidate and top Erdogan challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu garnered record attention in a video he made appealing to the country's youths. Turkey
