India tells Iran’s Khamenei to 'look at own record' over comments on Muslims suffering India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei’s remarks on the treatment of Muslims. Iran
George Helmy becomes first Coptic Christian sworn into US Senate Helmy fills the New Jersey seat left vacant after Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted of federal crimes and resigned. United States
Analysis On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries Ahead of a top-level visit by Iran’s new president, Iraq seems to be garnering greater attention as the go-to place for Shiites looking for an alternative to its eastern neighbor. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus Joseph's Tomb in Nablus has often been the site of violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel
Analysis What a far-right French government could look like By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rabbinical ruling helps Jewish Israeli women get divorced Attempting to pressure a husband who refuses to grant a divorce writ to his wife, the Israel Chief rabbinate ruled that his father would be prevented from being buried in Israel when the time comes. Israel
Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
Western Sahara dispute spills into Tunisia A diplomatic crisis is brewing in the Maghreb region amid tension between Morocco and Tunisia after President Kais Saied received the leader of the Polisario Front. North Africa
Israeli settlement intended for ultra-Orthodox draws new residents After years of failure to attract ultra-Orthodox residents, the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel is starting to interest middle-class families. Israel
On visit to Algeria, France’s Macron advances post-colonial reconciliation The presidents of France and Algeria signed Aug. 27 a pact for a new partnership between the two countries, announcing the setting up of a joint historian commission to explore the colonial period, alleged French crimes and the bloody eight-year independence war. Algeria
Israeli Arabs make it into the top 10 Meretz Party Knesset list Regional Cooperation Minister Essawi Frej is not running in the upcoming November elections, but Israeli Arab Ali Salalha managed to secure a realistic spot at the Meretz Party primary. Israel
Far-right platforms take shape in Israeli primaries The Religious Zionism primaries show how far the national-religious stream has veered to the right. Israel
Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year. Israel
Dubai to open first Hindu temple The first independent Hindu temple in Dubai will open in October to serve the 1.4 million Hindus residing in the United Arab Emirates. Gulf
Cash-strapped Lebanese turn to online civil marriages Najwa Sbeity and Omar Abdel Baki's civil wedding ceremony that they held online went viral, enticing more people to opt for this option despite the religious backlash and bureaucratic difficulties. Lebanon
Abbas’ Holocaust remark stirs anger in Israel, Germany Israeli leaders are furious with remarks made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas belittling the Holocaust, and on German soil of all places. Israel
Ultra-nationalist lawmaker ramps up ahead of Israeli elections Head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit faction Itamar Ben Gvir says he no longer needs the Religious Zionism party as an ally to get into the Knesset. Israel