Trump travel ban 2.0: Assessing the impact on Mideast nations Trump’s new decision excludes Syria and Iraq, both of which were part of his previous ban issued during his first term in 2017. Syria
EU sanctions Sunni factions accused of violence against Syria’s Alawites, Kurds As former rebel leaders take positions in the new Syrian government, Kurdish officials warn of renewed threats to their autonomy. Syria
Rise in antisemitism in US, Europe preceded Washington shooting: What to know In the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, the number and severity of antisemitic incidents continue to rise. Israel
Iranian, Saudi officials in India as more airlines halt service amid Pakistan row Iranian and Saudi officials headed to New Delhi in separate visits following Indian airstrikes in Pakistan that raised fears of war between the neighboring countries. Iran
Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88 By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Son of Iran’s shah Pahlavi arrives in Israel on controversial visit Reza and Yasmine Pahlavi arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday in a visit that could further fuel tension between Iran and Israel Israel
Jordan, Israel spar over access to Christian holy sites in Jerusalem Israel blames Jordan for escalating tensions on Temple Mount, while Jordan accuses Israel of restricting Christians from Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church. Israel
Rabbis ask Netanyahu to allow Passover sacrifice on Temple Mount during Ramadan Jerusalem police is vigilant, as Temple Mount activists are urging Jews to offer biblical Passover sacrifice at the holy site. Israel
Iraq marks somber Ramadan amid economic, political crises The holy month used to be a special time for Iraqis, filled with spiritual and social activities. But it has lost meaning due to the ongoing economic crisis and political conflict in the country. Iraq
UAE discovers Gulf's oldest known pearling town The town discovered on Siniyah Island showed clear evidence of its pearling industry from the sixth century AD. Legacy: Gulf
Israel eases Palestinian entry restrictions to Al-Aqsa ahead of Ramadan With the Muslim month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover week holiday overlapping this year, the issue of visits to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound gets more complicated than usual. Israel
Israelis Zoom to Utah in search of civil marriage Since civil marriage does not exist in Israel, mixed-faith couples and people who do not want a religious marriage are now opting for online weddings performed in the US state of Utah. Israel
Turkey's Hatay kanafeh delicacy granted EU special status Turkey’s earthquake-hit multicultural Hatay province receives recognition for its renowned Mesopotamian dessert. Turkey
'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi minorities, but also raises constitutionality questions. Iraq
MidEast freedom rankings: Syria worst, Tunisia in decline, says Freedom House Syria remains to be the least and Israel the best performing country when it comes civil and political freedoms while the biggest one-year decline has been observed in Tunisia. Turkey
Anti-Kurdish racism stains soccer pitch in western Turkey The attacks raised the specter of inter-communal violence ahead of watershed elections that are due to be held on May 14 Turkey
Saudi TV series about Islamic history triggers Iraq’s sectarian divide The Saudi-based MBC media group’s announcement that it would broadcast a TV series about a controversial figure in Islamic history, Mu'awiya bin Abi Sufyan, has faced strong backlash from Shiites in Iraq and the region. Legacy: Gulf
