UN: Syria's March violence saw ‘likely’ war crimes by Damascus, Assad remnants The United Nations noted deliberate targeting of Alawite civilians in its report on the killings along the Syrian coast and called on the government to expand its efforts in taking steps toward accountability. Syria
Iran border clash kills 3 militants, police officer in Baluchistan: What to know Iranian forces have prioritized targeting Jaish al-Adl and other groups in the southeast, and are seeking cooperation with Pakistan on the issue. Iran
Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country. Syria
Syria thwarts church attack in Tartous, blames Assad 'remnants': What to know Syrian officials blamed the attack on a group affiliated with the government of former President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Analysis Emboldened by Suwayda fallout, Syria’s Kurds hold their ground with Damascus By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Death of influential rabbi marks turning point for Israeli ultra-Orthodox Both ultra-Orthodox and secular Israelis were drawn to Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, whose Torah scholarship brought him influence he never sought. Israel
Israel’s minister of religious affairs appoints women as latest reform Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana's appointment of women, as well as changes to kosher supervision and to conversion law, have drawn the enmity of the ultra-Orthodox community. Israel
Mixed feelings in Israel over Bennett’s mediation efforts on Ukraine The Israeli opposition is criticizing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as overeager to drag Israel into the Russia-Ukraine quagmire. Israel
Israel's ultra-Orthodox reject housing in new Negev town Ultra-Orthodox leaders search for a solution to the housing crisis in the sector, but they are not in favor of the solution proposed by the government to establish a new ultra-Orthodox town in the Negev region. Israel
Citizenship law deepens rift between Israel's Arab parties The Joint List was hoping to use the vote on the controversial citizenship Law to embarrass its rival Muslim coalition party Ra’am. Israel
Jerusalem churches fight new settlement plan Church heads and officials in Jerusalem are fighting an Israeli plan to expand a national park on the Mount of Olives in east Jerusalem, where dozens of churches and Christian sites are located. Palestine
Ultra-Orthodox, Reformist Jews clash over prayer space at Western Wall Progressive Judaism activists from Israel and the US are demanding Prime Minister Naftali Bennett implement the compromise on an egalitarian mixed-prayer space by the Western Wall, as was agreed under the former government. Israel
Analysis Ultra-Orthodox kosher certification body becomes commercial giant The extreme ultra-Orthodox Badatz kosher certification has become a giant commercial body much courted by big food-production companies. By Israel Hershkovitz
Analysis First female Arab Knesset member to head Israeli diplomatic mission Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has appointed Meretz Knesset member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi as consul general in Shanghai, sparking an outcry from critics. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Israeli ultra-Orthodox fret over Russia-Ukraine conflict For the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, which considers Ukraine as a sort of a homeland, the possibility of a Russian invasion is taken personally. Israel
Record number of ultra-Orthodox women join Israeli workforce More and more Israeli ultra-Orthodox women turn to computer programming, accounting, entrepreneurship and other jobs instead of traditional positions in the education system. Israel
Israel promises support for Ukrainian Jews Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has made it clear that if Jews in Ukraine find themselves in need of rescue, Israel will be there for them. Israel
