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
Israeli government advances ground-breaking reform for private kosher certification New Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana is not afraid of the ultra-Orthodox parties; he advances an unprecedented reform on kosher certification. Israel
Controversial Arab-Israeli woman appointed to Knesset security panel Labor party legislator Ibtisam Mara’ana, lambasted over allegedly supporting Palestinian assailants, was appointed this week as member of the Knesset’s prestigious foreign and security affairs committee. Israel
Egyptian, Ethiopian churches clash over Deir al-Sultan in Jerusalem A crisis between the Egyptian and Ethiopian churches erupted over the ownership of Deir al-Sultan in Jerusalem. Egypt
Christians upset as Egyptian government ignores Easter Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly did not declare Easter an official holiday, upsetting many Egyptian Christians and human rights organizations. Egypt
Ultra-Orthodox blame own leadership for failing to prevent Meron stampede More and more decision-shapers within the ultra-Orthodox community are coming out against their own leadership, calling on authorities to thoroughly investigate the Mount Meron stampede. Israel
Israel marks national day of mourning after Mount Meron tragedy Flags were lowered to half-staff in Israel on May 2, as the country honored the 45 people who perished in the Mount Meron stampede on April 30. Israel
Warnings foreshadowed deadly stampede in Israel Despite years of warnings that the site was unsafe for such large events, thousands of worshipers gathered at Mount Meron for a celebration that turned into a nightmare. Israel
Dozens killed at stampede in Israel during religious celebration At least 45 people were crushed to death during the Lag Ba’Omer celebrations at the Mount Meron site. Israel
Court case against priest evokes bitter memories for Turkey’s Assyrians Turkey’s tiny Assyrian community views a jail term handed to an Assyrian priest on “terrorism charges” as an official strong-arming tactic, while Assyrians around the world call for dismissal of the case. Turkey
Biden calls Erdogan ahead of expected Armenian genocide labeling The White House readout of the call between the two leaders did not mention the Armenian genocide. News Brief
Turkish talk of reconciliation angers Armenians on 106th anniversary of genocide Turkey has warned the United States that President Joe Biden's expected characterization of the mass killings of the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as a genocide will derail Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and further damage US-Turkish ties. Armenians say there is no reconciliation process to speak of. Turkey
Pope may visit Lebanon once new government is formed Pope Francis met Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri in Vatican City today. Lebanon