Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body. Turkey
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
Iran executions double to 625 as parliament mulls harsher espionage penalties The United Nations said executions so far this year stand at 625, at the least, more than double the number for the same period last year. Iran
What to make of Egypt's removal of Alaa Abdel-Fattah from terror list An Egyptian court has removed a prominent jailed activist from the country's terrorism list amid scrutiny over Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Ahead of COP28, HRW says UAE migrant workers face more climate change risks Human Rights Watch said migrant workers in the Gulf nation are more exposed to health risks related to climate change and also face abuse and violations. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey accused of double standard as Armenian journalist's killer walks free Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink's murderer walked free in Turkey Wednesday while the government's critics pointed aghast to political prisoners held years beyond the court's authority to keep them. Turkey
Analysis Hamas buys time in hostage talks as it ups psychological war against Israel Israel estimates that the publishing by Hamas of another video of a hostage and the demand by the group for five days of cease-fire as part of a deal to release captives, are meant for it to buy more time against the IDF ground offensive. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran executed 114 people since Israel-Hamas war began: report It seems Iran is taking advantage of the world focus on the Israel-Hamas war to carry out mass executions across its prisons. Iran
Turkey’s top court upholds controversial media law as EU laments 'democratic backsliding' The ruling coincided with the release of the EU Commission's annual report which noted “continued deterioration” in the country’s democratic standards, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. Turkey
One month into Israel-Hamas war, more than 10,000 killed in Gaza, almost 1.5 million displaced The war in Gaza has killed more than 10,000 people and injured more than 25,000 since Oct. 7 as prospects of cease-fire appear remote. Palestine
Israeli minister who called to nuke Gaza votes in cabinet meeting, despite suspension Asked on the radio if Israel should throw a nuclear bomb at Gaza, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu responded, "that’s one option." Israel
Analysis Families of Israeli hostages frustrated with Netanyahu government, urge talks The families of kidnapped Israelis and foreign nationals worry that the Israeli government's dual goals of the Gaza operation — eliminating Hamas and rescuing all the hostages — are incompatible with one another. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Chile, Colombia, Jordan recall Israel ambassadors after Bolivia cuts ties Bolivia became the first country to end its diplomatic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza. Israel
'Total blindness': Gaza paramedics recount horror during Israel's blackout Gazans recount the 34 hours of internet and communications blackout during intense Israeli bombardment cutting off the enclave from the rest of the world. Palestine
At least 11 Americans dead in Hamas attack on Israel, Biden says Other Americans are still missing and could be among the scores of hostages taken into Gaza, the White House said. Israel
